Change is good, transitions are hard

Our arrival in Cairo was about as expected.  Our air conditioned bus, guide, driver and armed security guard were waiting for us.  The air was thicker than usual due to a sandstorm but our hopes were high that is would clear shortly.  Arriving at the University was a typical endeavor in confusion until we found the Res Life staffers who gave us the welcome we were hoping for.  After getting the students settled we were whisked off campus to a very nice apartment where we were confident that we would be comfortable for the next month.  The similarity to our accommodations in Costa Rica was shocking.  Comfortable but isolated.  The next day we were faced with the task of gathering supplies with no simple access to transportation.  Recall that in a previous episode of the Muth Family Adventures a routine trip to the grocery store resulted in facial stitches and fainting so we did not embark on this mission lightly (or with the children).  The guard at our building arranged for the campus shuttle to take us to the Oscar Superstore where I assured Janet that we would be able to find the necessary items to feed the children.  I should have been alerted to Janet's growing concern about this endeavor as we approached the store, a five-story colossus reminiscent of the Temple of Athena.  "This is not a grocery store, we won't be able to get food here!”, she exclaimed.  Now I was reasonably confident at this point given the 3-story graphic of a shopping cart on the front of the building.  We entered the store, found a cart and were offered fresh gelato from a nice man wearing a chef's hat and a starched white apron (I don't think we're in Cub anymore).  A quick lap through meat and produce (yes, six different types of mangoes) left us wanting more.  "Where is the dairy, the paper goods, the snacks!", she exclaimed.  Looking around I spied an escalator rising to the second floor.  Peering up I saw dairy, then snacks then more as the floors climbed gently up in a veritable tower of consumerism.  We gently pushed the cart onto the escalator and found that it was magnetically held in place as we elegantly climbed up one story.  I was having good luck with the fellow slicing turkey breast for Maggie's sandwiches when Janet comes racing up, "There is cheese in jars and butter in cans and I can't tell how much anything costs!"  Sensing that she was transitioning out of her comfort zone closer to the panic zone I suggested that we look at the eggs together.  "Well, these eggs are 11 Pounds and these are 25 Pounds" (they use the Egyptian Pound here) I said pointing to the signs below the eggs.  Now you must realize that the prices were written in Arabic, in fact most everything was written in Arabic.  She looked at me blankly, "How on Earth do you know that!".  If you know Janet and I she is the one who in the master of languages while I do a lot of smiling and nodding.  I figured at this point honesty was the best policy.  "Maggie taught me" I said sheepishly, taking a small step backwards.  "What!", Janet exploded.  "Yes", I quickly explained, "On the bus yesterday Maggie was telling me about how she had noticed the numbers on the baggage carousel and then she and I were practicing on the license plates as we drove to campus".  I really can't explain the reaction.  There was relief, pride, spite and maybe a few more written on her face.  But for me I was thrilled that a simple trip to the grocery store turned into a wonderful adventure in travel, relationships and culture.  

Regular or Decaf?

What are those?

Salt or sugar?

on location temple of poseidon

Temple Construction and Analyzation by Prof. James Muth

           

Temple Construction

The world of temples is certainly a marble covered one. It has so many layers with detail, precision and years of perfection. Temples are the worshipping areas for the ancient Greek gods, and boy are they a perfect place to do so. They have been preserved, researched and renovated to our liking but did the gods like the basic construction of these temples? We can only guess, but we can decide if we like them or not. One thing is for sure the construction is sure to amaze.

            The basic temple construction is like a rectangle surrounded by columns. The rectangle is divided into three rooms. Above the columns is the epistyle. The epistyle is the rectangle above the columns but below the roof. The epistyle is a “filmstrip” that tells or explains a story. On the Parthenon (temple of Athena) there are four epistyles, one for each side.  One of them has the Panathenaic procession. Each image in the epistyle is a marble block that has been chiseled to perfection. The epistyle looks like a comic strip on an ancient temple. The roof is very simple and just is a small slope that meets in the middle.

            The three rooms in a temple are the Prenaos, the Naos and the Opistodomos. If you were to walk into the “front door” of the temple you would walk into the Prenaos. The Prenaos is the room for preparing yourself for worship or sacrifice. Then if you would walk straight forward you would go into the Naos.  The Naos is the room that usually has the statue in it. That is were the main priest or priestess would worship or sacrifice to the god. The final room is the Opistodomos. It is the “back door” and is “filled with wisdom”.

            Our family of five went to several temples. We were engulfed in things to see and learn. There is still a lot to learn about temples but I hope this post scratched the surface on this marble covered world.                                                                -James

The Theatre of Epidaurus

A Play by Grace Muth

Warning: This blog post is in the form of a script.  Please be aware of that. Thank You.

Scene One

Lights up on a classroom

Teacher: Kalymera, good morning.

Class: Kalymera

Teacher: I Hope you all remember that our field trip is today and we will be leaving for the theatre shortly

Class: Yeah/ Yes/ Yup

Teacher: Good, now when we get there we will meet up with our tour guide.  Her name is Smaro. Oh look the bus is here, Let’s go!

All exit stage right

Blackout

Scene two

Lights up on the theatre of Epidaurus

Teacher: Here we are class, the theatre of Epidaurus. I’m going to turn things over to Smaro so give her your respect

Alice (the girl who never gets off her phone): Lamest field trip ever, like went to the Coliseum or whatever, and it’s not even finished.

Frankie (the kid who loves history): Oh my god Alice, this isn’t the Coliseum, and it's been finished for centuries but its been worn down by time!

Alice: Whatever geek.

Smaro: Okay class, welcome to the theater of Epidaurus.  The theater was created around 1000 B.C. as part of a sanctuary built to honor the gods of healing. It really honors one god in particular; do any of you know who that is?

Frankie: Asklepios?

Smaro: Yes that is correct.  People would come here to be healed by the priests of Asklepios. People would spend the night and they would dream and then tell their dreams to the priests and the priests would come up with a cure.

Alex (the boy who loves science): would the cures actually work?

Frankie: Most of the time yes.

Alex: Cool!

Smaro: Yes it is, the theater is known for its acoustics.  The acoustics are amazing if you stand behind the circular rock, which is an altar for Dionysus, it feels like you are in a recording studio.

Alex: What is the science behind that?

Smaro: Well the stone helps reflect sound, and the depth of the seats not only provides comfort but also contributes to the sound quality.  The best acoustics happen when there is no wind, noise, and a full theatre.  Male voices carry best.

Alex: Doesn’t the shape have something to do with it too?

Smaro: Of course, the oval shape like a stereo speaker gives everyone a more equal earshot and there is one triangular area where the actors produce the best sound. Are there any more questions before we go inside?

Avery (actress): Do people still preform here?

Smaro: Yes, in fact the last performance of the summer was last week. Are there any other questions? No, okay remember don’t go on the altar for Dionysus.

(Students walk into the theatre)

James (Klutz): Hey, listen to this!  Wow, this is so weird! I’m a performer! (Starts dancing) Yot do do! (Trips) Whoa! Uh-oh! (Steadies himself onto the altar of Dionysus) Whew! (James disappears)

Alex: Hey were did James go?

Frankie: I don’t know, the last time I saw him he was on the circular rock…

(Walks over to the rock)

Alex: James? James!

(Steps on the rock and disappears)

Frankie: Whoa, what just happened?

Alice: Ugh this is the lamest field trip ever. When can we go home?

(Starts walking toward the rock)

Frankie: Alice no!!

Alice: What do you want, nerd?

(Steps on the rock then screams and disappears)

Avery: Did Smaro say to stand on the rock or behind it? I think she said on it.

(Steps on the rock and disappears)

Frankie: Oh dear, I’d better go find out what happened to them

(Runs and jumps on the rock them disappears)

Blackout

Scene Three

Lights up on the ancient theater, James, Alex, Alice, Avery and Frankie stumble in

Avery: Where are we?

Frankie: I think we’re at the theatre.

Alex: Yeah but when are we?

Frankie: 6^th century B.C.

James: Sweet!

Alice: Eww the past?! Like the Amish field trip wasn’t bad enough but the actual past? How will I live?

Alex: Jeez! Calm down.  We just need to figure out how to get back.

James: How did we get here?

Frankie: The rock!

Avery: So all we need to do is stand on the rock and we can go home!

Alice: Um, if you ding-dongs haven’t noticed, there’s a performance going on!

Alex: Oh yeah… we can’t wait until it’s over because then the class will have left.

Frankie: What are we going to do?

James: Hmmm I know we can…

Avery: Act our way back!

Alex: That’s a great idea!

Frankie: Yeah except all of the actors were full grown men not middle schoolers!

Alice: You mean men and women?

Frankie: No, I mean men, males played females.

Alice: There is no way I will play a guy!

Avery: You don’t have to. We can be chorus members!

James: That’s great and all but we don’t exactly blend in.

Alex: You’re right we need costumes. What did people wear in ancient Greece?

Frankie: Tunics, dresses, sometimes nothing.

Alice: WHAT!!!?? There is no way I will be nude!

Frankie: Only the men were nude and since you will be a female chorus member you will wear a dress.

Alice: Who says I’m going to be a girl?

Avery: You, me, everyone else.

Alex: Okay, we to get our costumes.

James: I’ll go

Frankie: Me to

Avery: You’ll need a theatre expert!

Alex: I’ll wait here with Alice

Alice: ugh, walking.

(James, Frankie & Avery exit stage left)

Alice: Why can’t my phone connect? It had service earlier.

Alex: I don’t think the ancient Greeks had cell phone service.

Alice: WHAT!!??!!?? (Screams and Frankie, James and Avery run on)

James: Is everything okay?

Alex: Yeah we just had a reality check

Frankie: Which was?

Alice: No…Cell phone … service!

Frankie: Oh, ha-ha!

Avery: We got the costumes!

Alex: Great, we can take turns changing behind those bushes.

James: We should go in pairs, Alice and Avery go first, and then me and Alex and Frankie you go by your self.

Frankie: Sounds good!

(Alice and Avery change and come back then James and Alex go)

Frankie: Wow Avery you look like a goddess!

Avery: Thanks!

Alice: Ahem, what about me?

Frankie: I thought you didn’t care what I said?

Alice: I guess I do.

James: Your turn Frankie

Frankie: Okay (he changes and comes back)

Alex: Okay Avery, what do we do?

Avery: Follow my lead and try to do well since the audience throws vegetables at you if you do poorly. We should wait until the next scene and practice during that time.

Blackout

Scene Four

Lights up on a performance with the 5 characters huddled on stage right

Avery: Okay let's go.

(Cross in a line towards the stone)

Avery: Follow me. (Starts the chorus moves)

Frankie: James, watch out!

James: What? OOF! (Gets hit by a tomato)

Alex: C’mon guys!

Alice: So I just step on the stone?

Alex: Yes, do that now.

Frankie: One, Two, Three!

Blackout

Scene Five

Lights up on the modern theater of Epidaurus

Avery: We did it!!

James: yes! (High five)

Smaro: Oh there you are!

Teacher: we were worried about you!

Smaro: Why are you dressed like ancient Greek actors?

Frankie: well you could say we had a hands-on experience.

Alex: Hey Alice Why eh long face? We made it back home.

Alice: I broke my phone.

BLACKOUT

Full theatre

The circular rock is the altar of Dionysus

Look at all those seats!

"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.

On location: global preparations