Athens

Our first stop in Athens was Mars Hill, where Paul gave his speech about the "unknown god." What a special place! The speech is written out on the tablet in the side of the rock. 

Just to the left of that tablet is a space in the rocks, a stairway of sorts, to climb to the top. Mike chose to go this route. 

I went up the stairs that have been added, because they were less dangerous. 

From the top of the hill, we could see the Temple of Hephaestus off to the left,

with the Agora (all the ruins among the trees), 

and the Stoa to the right (which has been reconstructed and is now a museum). 

When we turned around, we could see the Acropolis.

From this side, the Temple of Athena Nike was prominent.

We made our way down Mars Hill and walked over to the Acropolis, and then through the stone pillared entry, which is called the Propylaea.

There was a walkway which led to the Parthenon

and the Erechtheion.

On part of the Erechtheion, ladies are support beams in dramatic disguise. This is the "Porch of the Maidens," and each maiden is carved differently, from facial features to the intricate and massive hairstyles which create the strong support that their slender necks would have otherwise lacked. 

The original sculptures are in a museum and are being cleaned. 

Even the replicas are breathtaking! 

And speaking of breathtaking, we turned to find the Parthenon, which is receiving major treatment. 

Even hidden by scaffolding, it is magnificent. 

Looking at the pictures leaves me speechless. 

It stands today (along with some modern help) to remind visitors of an Athens which strived for perfection. It also stands as a reminder that perfection is most difficult to attain, much less sustain, this side of Heaven.

As we walked around the far side of the Parthenon, we came upon the theatre on the hill just below,

and then in the distance, the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

After taking in all these ancient sites, we were also able to wander a bit in the Plaka, a quaint shopping and eating area. We did stop for a bite to eat, and also discovered a lovely little artist named Rita. We bought one of her paintings, and she told us to come back and see her another time. 

With a personal invitation, how could we not?!