Upon arriving in Athens, I was amazed to see how prominently the ancient ruins stood out. It was also interesting how the city had just grown around random ruins instead of them being bunched together. The city and country itself did not feel to different from other European or American cities. However, the presence of Greek and Roman architecture made it clear that there was once an ancient civilization. One thing I found interesting was how, when building new structures, most construction would be delayed as archeologists would have to come inspect newly found ancient artifacts. The main difference I found between the cultures was the time the days started and ended. Most shops and restaurants didn’t open till 10:00am but closed at 5:00pm or 6:00pm. In addition, it was interesting to learn how the Greeks went from disorganized tribes to a more allied community that recognized they were all Greeks. It seems that this was in large part due to the trade and wars that took place. The study of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle also helped to shed some light on the Greek culture. It showed how they reached a peak in their civilization where they could pursue higher thinking, education, and arts. In studying the big three philosophers, I realized how much influence they have had on modern thinking. Socrates created a way for us to work through and contemplate new ideas and difficult concepts. Plato helped further the idea of a difference between flesh or man and spirit. Aristotle took all of these concepts learned from his mentor and was able to expand upon them then develop the scientific classification. I was also surprised to learn how Aristotle taught Alexander the Great, teaching that became vital to Alexander’s empire expansion philosophy. Another part of the trip that has been enjoyable is exploration via metro and bus. It has helped me to take a deeper dive into the culture experiencing more than just from a tourist point of view. The free time and transportation means that I have been able to get out of the tourist areas and truly embrace Greek culture.
