This past week my program took us all on a trip to the Peloponnese area of Greece- this included places like Kalamata (famous for its olives) and Olympia (famous for the birth of the Olympic Games). The most important thing I took away from this excursion? That Greece is so much more than city centers and beaches.
Greece has absolutely breathtaking mountain ranges and gorgeous fields. Castles perched high on hilltops and tombs scattered throughout the grass and history etched into its foundation.
We saw ancient civilizations including Mycenae and Sparta (yes, this is Sparta!). We walked through Byzantine castles. We toured the olive museum. But perhaps my most favorite activity was running the 100 meters of the 1st Olympic stadium. If you're going to run like a proper ancient Greek, then don't start in a crouching position as we do today. Instead, the stadium's starting line has two indentations etched into it. One for the your first food, one for your second. Next, stretch your arms straight out in front of you. And then run!
Standing there, looking out at the ruins and walking through the athletes gate was an incredibly humbling experience. Lives were lived there, stories were told there. 40,000 men (women were forbidden from watching the games, lest they be thrown off the side of a cliff) gathered in this time of triumph. During wars, fighting would be suspended in order to participate in these great games.
I could just stand there imagining what it would feel like to know that tourists now walk on the land you lived on.
Surrounding the stadium were temples and gyms. In fact, the Temple of Zeus is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Inside this great temple, stood a 43 foot tall statue of Zeus- which was eventually destroyed. I felt incredibly small standing next to giant columns.
Lining the pathways were remains of cheating plaques. With these, athletes that have been caught cheating are forced to pay a heavy fine for a plaque that had their name, their town, and their cheating act. These brought immense shame on the athlete and city-state in which they represented. I thought it was kind of funny.
This trip has only solidified my love for Greece and assured me I chose the right place to study abroad. When the weather warms up, I have the closest beach just an hour and 30 cent bus ride away. When I'm bored, I have ruins to explore. And at anytime I want, I have mountain ranges and beautiful sunsets to look at.
