Visited the archaeological site and museum this morning, a lot of work has been done here since I was last here in 2001 so it was really interesting to see. This afternoon we have been to see the two new museums on the history of olympic games and athletics and the history of the excavations. Very cool.
Unlike the temperature…which is rather hot.
Amazingly my legs seem to be tanning.
Went to the Market this morning and am now the proud joint owner of enough vegetables and fruit to sink a small battle ship (it would have to be a very small and crappy battle ship as cherries aren’t recognised as an offical weapon of war). So at least I’m being fed for the next few days.
Then we went to the National Archaeological Museum. I love that place…so much to see. Lots of vases including lots of cases on Boeotian pottery, with one devoted to Kabeiric ware. That one is right at the end of gallery, I get the distinct impression they didn’t know quite where to put it so bunged it in at the end. Then we had a mooch around the other galleries.
Afterwards we went to the Epigraphic museum, its right next door to the national but its always deserted. It does have some amazing inscriptions including the tribute lists from Athens, on of which is nearly 15 ft high. The lettering is less than an inch or two in height and the whole thing is covered. Very cool.
Then I went shopping…hurrah I have carrier bags full of things!
Now I’m in the library having finished the first draft of the article I’m working on and fancied a break from book things.
Plus I watching a few interesting, non-painful patches of sunburn starting to develop…bugger, and I had sun tan lotion on too…
As most of ou guys know, Jackie was coming out to Greece in August and on Monday she arrived! So off we went in a little purple hire car northwards.
One. Got Jackie at the airport and drove north, no problems on roads and reached Thebes, museum was shut so I couldn’t go in with my letter asking for entry to the Kabeirion, as we were leaving Thebes saw sign for road to Delphi (a different one to the one I’d planned on taking) and set off, passing a brown archaeoological site sign that said Kabeirion. Decided to follow it so I knew where sanctuary was, reached site and realised that there was a big hole in the fence,so in we went. The road was little more than a dirt track and it made the wee purple car rather brown…especially when you drive through muddy puddles. Carried on and reached delphi around 5.30, went to museum – lovely and quiet no big tour groups. Then drinks and very nice meal in restaurant overlooking gulf.
Two. Headed across the mountains to Thermopylae, had a look at the site, then on to Karmena Vourla for lunch – at the nice Italian restaurant I found the last time I was there. Headed back to Delphi and got a fit of giggles when I saw the turning for the road which I got stuck up the last time I was in Thermopylae. More drinks in Delphi and another good meal, spoke Greek to the waiter and he was so impressed he gave us free dessert
Three. A quieter day, went to the sanctuary of Apollo and the museum again in the morning. Then drove down the coast at lunch time for food and a swim, then back up to the town and had a look at the lower site there, temples of Athena and a gymnasium. Very hot. Back to hotel, drank wine on the balcony and then into town for a very good steak. Got some beers and went back to hotel and sat on balcony and rank them, I was cold (only 25-28 degrees) so was sitting in delphi in august wrapped in a fuzzy blanket. There’s actually photographic proof for this.
Four. Got up and headed for Chaironeia – went to an ancient theatre and a grave monument for the Thebans during ones of the wars waged by the Macedonians when they were conquering greece. On to Orchomenos, looked at a mycenaean tholos tomb and another theatre. Then to Gla, a mycenaean settlement like Mycenae only much bigger. Then thebes for lunch and the museum and then we headed back to Athens.
by Aphaia 2 Comments
Right well I figured I should update this thing again. I’ve been in Athens for a week now (a week? already?) and I have to admit it is really nice to be back – I miss this place when I’m in Glasgow. So what have I been up to I hear you ask (or possibly not, maybe the little voices are talking to me again) – so here’s a quick rundown of the whole thing.
Tuesday
Arrived safely, on time and with luggage, which is rather unusual for me. Went out for dinner to a friends birthday and played darts.
Wednesday
Got unpacked (exciting isn’t it) and spent some time in the library sorting things out, later went down to Exarchia and played Tavli (Backgammon) with some friends.
Saturday
Went shopping on Ermou to get some bits and pieces then spent the rest of the day very quietly.
Sunday
Beach! Got sunburnt, eaten by mosquitos and had a great time, though the sea was freezing.
Monday
Terrified everyone with my sunburn, worked in the library. There was a lecture at the school so I went to that. Afterwards we went out for food to a great Cretan restaurant.
Tuesday
Sunburn is fading but drying and is getting uncomfortable. Feeling very proud of myself today – I translated a chapter from ‘Die Bauten im Kabirenheiligtum bei Theban’ on the development of the site during my time period. Played darts.
Wednesday
Sunburn is fading to a nice colour but I’ve started peeling which I dislike intensely. More library work today and then I’m not really sure.
I was in Athens for two weeks, lovely weather for the first week, cold for the second though it was getting sunnier by the time I left. When I was there I worked in the Library, visited museums and sites, dranks large quantities of beer, saw a lot of friends who I’d lost touch with and annoyed the Glasgow trip who were in Athens when I was there. I also met the guy in charge of all the archaeology in the region of Greece which I study and he was very nice and seemed willing to allow me access to the material I need for the PhD. Got a stinking cold and spent flight home and next couple of days being ill and miserable.
Was Geophysicking this weekend up in Argyll and had great fun and got sunburnt (not so fun). Got to use some of the equipment too.
Aphaia