We've Arrived and We're Alive!

Well...It is late at night on our second full day here in Athens. We've been quite busy since the moment we left JFK a few days ago, but we're feeling strong and enjoying our stay here.

We got into town on Thursday evening after a long day of flight delays and airport insanity. After getting to the hotel, showering, and changing, we headed out for our first Greek meal and some live music (bouzouki). After stuffing ourselves quite silly, we returned to the hotel for a good night's sleep.

On Friday, we started the morning with breakfast at the hotel and followed the meal up with a general orientation. Afterwards, we went out for our first Gyro meal at a well-known local establishment. After resting and digesting, we went over to the ancient Agora (marketplace). Walking around the Agora, we picked up ancient pottery shards, discussed the Crito at the site of Socrates' execution, and ate pears that we poached from a tree growing near the apocryphal jail site of the Agora.

Friday night we took the metro to Panarmou to visit a Cretan restaurant, where we once again ate a delicious meal (this time family style Cretan food).

Today was once again a busy day. We walked up to the Acropolis (a steep climb, though it is within sight of our hotel), where we strolled around the grounds around the Parthenon and discussed the history of Classical Greece. This afternoon, after all the students enjoyed lunch together, we made our way over to the brand, spanking new Acropolis museum (it has been open about two weeks). The museum is beautiful, and does a great job of highlighting the incredible sculpture, architecture, and pottery of the site.

And this bring us to tonight. We have eaten dinner and explored the neighborhood of Psiri and we are now all at the hotel, settling down for the evening. Tomorrow we take a private bus to Delphi (home of the Oracle), and we'll have a chance to stop at the beach on the way home.

In all, we've been having a great time, and we're all excited for the rest of our time here in Athens (though we are, of course, also quite excited for Italy and France).

That's all for now. Have a great day, and we'll post more soon.

Students enjoy fresh Gryos after learning the greek word toast "Yiamas!"

Montana takes a moment to capture a beautiful church near Monesteraki

Our first group shot taken at the Agora!

John explains the etymology of stoicism by pointing out the Stoa of Attalos the 2nd

Tess smiles before a lecture on The Crito by Plato

Josh, Wyeth, Alex, Ian, James, Joey and Sam at the Agora Museum

John, James and Ian share laughs during a traditional Cretan family-style dinner
Making our way through the crowd! Boy was it hot!
Montana and Alethea pause before making their way to the Parthenon

Joey, Elizabeth, Whitney, Robyn and Alex
Chris and John ponder the wonders of the Erechtheion
Chris, John and Emily enjoy a rare staff only shot!
John and Casey discuss the dimensions of the Parthenon
A view of the Temple of Hephaestus
Ian and Sarah get into a water fight with two local girls... Ian was definitely out numbered!
Elizabeth and Robyn enjoy their first taste of a Greek Frappe!
Our Western Civ students were some of the first in the world to enjoy the new Acropolis Museum (opened on June 21st, 2009). Here they are admiring the ruins underneath the museum dating from the 2nd century B.C to the 6th and 7th centuries A.D
Greek sandwich making in preparation for our trip to Delphi!
Stevie and Whitney give thanks for their work of Greek Culinary Art!
An evening view from the roof of our hotel, Hotel Plaka.