On our final day in Greece, we packed up and left Napflio, the country's former capital, for Athens, the current capital. This day always feels like the most fitting conclusion to our trip, tracing the arc of Greece’s storied history: from the establishment of Greek independence in Navarino Bay to the settling of modern Greece in Napflio, and finally to the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of Western civilization.
In Athens, we had Vasilis, (the same guide we had in Olympia), take us through the Acropolis. We delved into the essence of democracy, where power was in the hands of the people rather than a king. The city's history is marked by the destruction of old towns to build grand temples, illustrating the Athenians' priorities and wealth. They even sold protection like a mafia, accumulating riches to construct even more temples. The Acropolis, meaning "high city," stands as a testament to Athens' architectural and historical grandeur, having undergone five major stages of development. It’s a place steeped in myth, including the birth of Athena, the city's namesake. Legend has it that Athens was named after Athena following her victory over Poseidon in a contest judged by the city's inhabitants. Each side of the Acropolis represents three great victories and four mythological weddings, showcasing its multifaceted significance. The construction is an optical illusion, with columns that appear straight but are actually slightly curved to counteract the visual distortion from a distance.
Our night concluded with an amazing rooftop dinner, offering stunning views of the Acropolis and the Temple of Zeus. Mme. Pike led us in a heartfelt exercise of exchanging friendship bracelets, allowing us to acknowledge positive things about each other. We then gathered in Vincent's room to watch a slideshow of all the photos, sharing memories and laughter. After saying our final thank yous and goodbyes, we did a quick pack and headed to bed, wrapping up our incredible journey through Greece.
Cheers to a long travel day back to Victoria tomorrow!
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