This morning we arrived in Piraeus, Greece (closest port to Athens)
Capital: Athens
Currency: Euro 
Language: Greek
Population: 3,130,841
Athens, the city with the most glorious history in the world, one worshiped by gods and people, a magical city …
A bit about Athens:
Athens got its name when Athena and Poseidon requested to be patrons of the city and be named after them. This resulted in a competition where Poseidon produced a salt water spring by striking the ground with his trident to symbolize naval power. Athena on the other hand created the olive tree which symbolizes peace and prosperity. Athena won!!
Classical Athens was the center for the arts, learning and philosophy. It is referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy due to the impact of its cultural and political achievements during the 4th and 5th centuries BC.
The literal translation of Acropolis is “highest city”. The Acropolis in Athens contains such temples as the Parthenon, and the Erectheum and has been nominated to be one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
The Parthenon is a temple in the Acropolis that is dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena.
The Erectheum is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis, next to the Parthenon. The most famous part of this temple is its “Porch of the Caryatids(Maidens)”. Draped with six female figures as supporting columns, each of which are sculpted in a manner different from the rest and engineered in a way that their slenderest part, the neck, would be able to support the weight of the porch roof while remaining graceful and feminine.
The first ever Olympic games were held in Athens in 1896.
Our visit:
Athens was very different than our expectations. When we arrived in the city center we were greeted with a place capable of holding 3 million people…it definitely was a complete opposite of the thoughts we had of ruins spread throughout. The city itself reminded us of our visits to Italy…crazy drivers and lots of buildings close together.
Our bus first stopped at the Olympic stadium that we mentioned above. It was neat to see the place where the first Olympic games were held.
We then drove through Athens toward the Acropolis. This was definitely an interesting sight. The Parthenon and Erectheum were stunning to see in person…it was our college Humanities textbook come to life. What was also interesting were all the spare parts lying around. All sorts of columns and pieces of marble were simply left out on the ground.
Next we’re off to Turkey!