"This is my life!"

It has taken us a while to get to a place where we have the time, energy, and internet access to allow us to upload some blog posts.  We are finally in that place, so expect a few of them to roll out quickly…

We started our adventure in Athens, Greece.  It is fair to say that our nine year-old, Maggie, has been looking forward to this stop since the day we found out we were coming.  She is a huge Percy Jackson fan, and was thrilled at the idea of seeing so many sites referenced in the books in real life.  On our first day of touring, she turned to me outside the Panathenian Stadium and said, “Mom, this is my dream!”  She snapped pictures of absolutely everything – things I am certain she will not remember nor recognize when she looks at the pictures later (like the random grave marker statues in the Archaeological Museum).  

random grave marker 1

random grave marker 2

not even sure if this is a grave marker...

Later in the day, after walking a couple of miles in the 98 degree weather, she was too hot and tired to enjoy much of anything. 

But the next morning she was refreshed and ready to hit the Acropolis.  We were warned once again that the heat would be overwhelming, that we should wear hats and carry water.  Maggie was prepared; she even had her umbrella along to provide shade when necessary.  She grabbed my hand as we walked through the neighborhood at the base of the Acropolis and could not hide her excitement.  And then the tour guide started talking.  Now let me be clear, this was one of the best tour guides I’ve ever had.  She was incredibly knowledgeable, very passionate, and really good at getting the group of college students to think critically and connect what we’d seen yesterday to today’s sites and information. We even got to wander around the Theater of Dionysus.

The Theater of Dionysus

 But poor Maggie was drooping in the heat, her eyes were glazing over, and after 90 minutes of lecture we still hadn’t entered the actual Acropolis.

Finally, FINALLY, we started the ascent up the winding path to the gates of the Acropolis.  It was extremely crowded, but somehow that felt appropriate since ancient Athenians would have entered the Acropolis in large crowds as part of ceremonial processions.  We were at the base of the main stairs when our fabulous tour guide pulled us aside once again (taking advantage of a small slice of shade) to explain more about what we were going to see once we got to the top.  Maggie looked at me and gave me this knowing little half-smile.  It was as though she was saying, “It’s OK, Mom.  I know we’ll get up there eventually.”

And when we did, it was worth the wait.  Seeing the Parthenon up close is as impressive as you think it will be.  

In front of the Parthenon

Looking at the Erecthion – with the six Cariotids (maidens) – Maggie explained to me that this was where Athena and Poseidon had a challenge to see who would rule over the city of Athens.  The olive tree proclaiming Athena’s victory was right in front.

 

Maggie in front of one of the original Cariotid statues

There was so much information packed into the day, and we spent hours in the near 100 degree heat, that everyone (not just Maggie) was more than a little weary as we trudged through the gorgeous (and air conditioned) Acropolis museum and learned about the treasures that are being preserved there.  But our guide had saved one last surprise for us: a full model of the Acropolis built entirely out of Legos!  As all 22 of us circled the model and pointed out both the historically accurate and the silly modern day references, I couldn’t help but smile at how easily our guide had figured us out.

 

Lego replica of Acropolis

Athena and Poseidon's challenge to rule over Athens.

Maggie came rushing over and said, “Mom! It’s Ancient Greece and Legos combined. THIS IS MY LIFE!!”  I can’t say if Maggie will actually find a way to make Greece and Legos into her life, but if she ever does, we’ll know where the seed was planted.