5/29: Athens Siteseeing and Beach

  Today was our first full day in Athens, and it was a very busy day. We started our day with some breakfast from the hotel before leaving. We meet with our tour guide Angel in the lobby and headed out to catch our bus. Our first stop today was Marathon. When we finally reached Marathon. Out first stop was an old pillar that used to be grounds for war. Angel gave us a brief history of the attacks that occured here, and the battle strategies that were used during these battles. He told us how the Greeks ended up becoming victorious with these effective methods, and even had us demonstrate as if we were the soldiers. After this, we got back on the bus and headed to a burial site of the warriors that were in that fight. There was a drastic difference in casualties compared to both sides. 193 Athenian soldiers were buried in the mound at the site we visited, while thousands of enemy soldiers had been killed on the other side. It was a crazy comparison. We also learned that this area of Greece is called Marathon because the soldiers ran from here to Athens, which was 26.2 miles, which is the distance of a modern marathon today. In the 2004 Olympics, we athletes had run this exact distance and route that the soldiers had years ago. 

After these lessons, we headed to the beach. This was a very anticipated part of the trip, and was a very needed and relaxing time. It was good to lay down in the sun, and playing in the ocean with everyone was very enjoyable. Here we got some lunch as well. The water at the beach too was also very nice.  We stayed here for a few hours before heading back on the bus to our hotel. 

After some time to get ready, we met back up with our guide and took a tour of Acropolis. This site was beautiful. We got to see the Parathenon and other sites and learned the history of why this place was called Athens. This is because the gods Poesiden and Athena were in content for the city, and gave gifts to the citizens so they could choose. The gift that Athena had given them was an olive tree, which we got to view next to a monument. After some discussion and site seeing of the beautiful view of the city, we headed down to the museum. We took a quick tour of this museum, but it housed a bunch of relics and sites that came from the acropolis. 

After some history lessons. We headed to dinner. At dinner, we got to eat on the balcony of one of the ladies we met when we first entered Greece. We got to meet another abroad student here, and enjoyed an amazing dinner along with an amazing view. We had some home cooked snacks that we all enjoyed. After all this, we headed back to the hotel  and enjoyed the remainder of the night. 

Back To Where It All Started (Olympia, Greece)

After a long travel day, we finally made it to Olympia—one of the destinations I was most excited about. The day started extremely early. One thing I’ve learned while living abroad is that access to workout equipment can be hit or miss, and this hotel was no exception. Determined to stick to my routine, I got in a quick hotel room workout before heading to breakfast. We were greeted with a typical Greek spread: fresh Greek salad, baguettes and cheese, and delicious crepes. Once we fueled up, it was time to head out and explore.

Our first stop was Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Walking through the archaeological site, I was struck by how this area was both an immense sports complex and a deeply spiritual place. The space featured temples, statues dedicated to Zeus, and what were essentially early Olympic villages—including bath houses, training areas, and venues for the various events. I found it fascinating to learn how the architecture evolved with time. The different column styles throughout the ruins symbolized the eras of different conquerors who once ruled the area. We also saw how additions were made over time as the Games developed, adding new dimensions to the site.

Next, we visited the Ancient Olympia Archaeological Museum, where we deepened our understanding of what we had just seen. I was surprised to learn that the ancient Olympic Games lasted for nearly 1,200 years—from 776 B.C. until around A.D. 393. Originally, the games included only one event (a running race) and lasted just a single day. By the 37th Olympiad, chariot racing had been introduced, extending the games to two days. Eventually, the program expanded to include wrestling, boxing, pentathlon, and more, evolving into a five-day event. One of the most impactful aspects was the “Sacred Truce,” a period of peace where all Greek conflicts ceased before, during, and immediately after the Games to allow for fair and safe competition. The organization of the Games was overseen by the Eleians, acting like an ancient version of the IOC.

We also learned more about the religious significance of the Games and the sanctuary of Zeus. Olympia was considered sacred ground, and over 6,000 dedications to Zeus have been uncovered there. His most iconic representation was a massive gold and ivory statue, holding a scepter in one hand and Nike—the goddess of victory—in the other. The statue symbolized Zeus’s role as the lord of the world and judge of all contests, making it clear why the Games were held in his honor.

One part that stood out to me was learning about the role of women in the ancient Games. Women were banned from participating in or even watching the Olympic Games, with the exception of the priestess Demeter Chamyne (allowed for religious reasons) and Kallipateira of Rhodes, who disguised herself to watch her son compete. Women instead had their own competition, the Heraia Games, held in honor of Hera. These events were fewer in number (on non-Olympic years) and primarily consisted of footraces.

After wrapping up our museum tour, we returned to downtown Olympia to eat lunch and shop around before returning to Athens. Although we were all eager to be back in the bustling city, the bus ride gave us time to decompress and catch up on homework. That evening, we finished the day with a traditional Greek dinner—souvlaki, Greek paella, flatbread, salad, and other Mediterranean dishes. So far, Greek cuisine has definitely been my favorite of the trip!