Athens At Last

Did I run out of money? Or, did I run out of time? I really do not remember. I just know that I postponed my hope in 1977 to travel to Greece. What I had not expected was that it would be postponed until March 2011. It took 34 years, but at long last I finally found myself in Athens, Greece. This time I would have money and time. I put Euros in my Coach purse and extended a work-related trip two extra days to explore the city and the Acropolis.

My first impression of Athens came while riding from the airport in a taxi. The view had an industrial and commercial look. Graffiti spoiled the buildings. Were the messages important? I could not read the words.

On a break from the UNICEF Fundraising Forum, I hired a cab to run me into the city. Again, I saw more graffiti on the buildings. How could someone reach that high? Could the graffiti writer have used a ladder to reach almost to the second floor? Why is graffiti everywhere? The cab driver excused the graffiti with a shrug of his shoulders saying that youth needed a means of expression in these tough times. He dropped me at the McDonalds where he said I could ride a shuttle back to the Crown Plaza if I did not want to hire a cab for my return.

I avoided the department stores and deliberately went to the avenue lined with tourist shops. A stray dog blocked my way into one of the shops. The shopkeeper introduced the dog, “That’s Rocky. He’s lost a few fights. Come inside, the dog will not hurt you.” I observed that there were many Rockys sprawled on the sidewalks throughout Athens.

I bought two hand-painted bowls from Rocky’s friend. In other shops, I filled my canvas sack with drink coasters decorated with photos of the Acropolis, a silver good luck charm for my door, linen placemats with wreaths of olives stitched into the design, two small Greek vases, and traditionally costumed dolls to add to my international collection. I paid very little for all of these treasures.

My shopping trip wound me back to the main avenue where I was surprised to discover an archeological dig. I almost mistook the spot for a bus stop because of the design of the shelter over the artifacts. I peered into the cavity where walls of ancient buildings and urns remained on display. I would have lingered but I sensed trouble. Several police buses parked along the avenue. Young police officers stepped out wearing what looked to me like riot gear. I hired a cab to take me back to the hotel. Later I learned that tourists were advised to avoid that area. A police officer had been killed the day before in the line of duty. In reaction, the police staged a demonstration of force.

My responsibilities kept me at the hotel for four days. Finally, Saturday morning, I was free to tour the Acropolis,The Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. I recognized these ancient buildings with awe. They were real, not just photos in a history book any longer.

The Acropolis was the gem among the graffiti, the stray dogs, and police. No graffiti there, just scaffolding to preserve the architecture. These ruins of the Greek civilization survived thousands of years. What was 34 years to these artifacts? - A mere fragment of time. At last I had arrived in Greece.