Over spring break, the middle school offered an international trip to Greece for students. Many applied, and in the end 20 students and 3 teachers -Ms. Dello Russo, Ms. Soule, and Mr. Zerom- set off to see the incredible wonders of Ancient Greece.
The Acropolis was one of the main sites of the trip. The Acropolis is a series of Greek theaters, temples, and gathering areas built on a hill, dedicated to Athena. It is located in the heart of Athens, and is especially jaw-dropping to look at during nighttime. The Acropolis consists of the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and the Propylea. Along the path to the entrance there is also the Odeon Of Herodes Atticus, the Stoa Of Eumenes, and the Theater Of Dionysus.
The Propylea is the entrance to the Acropolis, and provides an impressive set of stairs that lead into the top of the mountain. The Parthenon is the main temple of the Acropolis, and is dedicated to the goddess Athena in her virgin form. Instead of being torn down by invaders that occupied Greece like many temples, it was reused multiple times throughout different empires, transforming it into a Byzantine church, a Roman Catholic cathedral, and later a mosque.
The temple of Athena Nike is at the front of the Acropolis, and is a small temple dedicated to the goddess Athena in her victory form. The Erechtheion is instead at the far back of the Acropolis, and features the Caryatids, columns carved in the shape of Greek women.
The Theater of Epidaurus is one of the best preserved theaters in Greece, partially because of its remote location and due to being buried in dirt after a landslide. The theater is part of a much larger healing site used in the Ancient Times dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing. The healing site was filled with spas, temples, and many other rooms believed to help humans heal. The theater also has incredible acoustics, and is still used for music festivals and plays today.
The Tomb of Agamemnon is an ancient beehive shaped grave likely for a ruler of Mycenae, and one of the largest and most elaborate Mycenaean tombs ever built. The main room consists of a large impressive dome, that archaeologists now think took an incredible amount of labor. Originally, the facade of the tomb was decorated with elaborate marble columns and ornate decorations. The artwork is also heavily influenced by that of Minoan Crete and Ancient Egypt. The date of the tomb is controversial, but most researchers would date it around the Bronze Age.
The Sanctuary of Elefsina is a historical site where the cult of Demeter and Persephone formed. Elefsina is mainly known for the Mysteries, the most famous secret religious rite of Ancient Greece.
As far as researchers today know, it was a nine-day festival where pilgrims around Greece flocked to Elefsina. The myth surrounding this festival concerned Persephone’s abduction through a symbolic reenactment of the “death” and “rebirth” of Persephone claiming a better life after death.
In this festival there would be a private part, where only those who wanted to join the cult would attend. A priest or priestess would hand them the "mystical objects", and they would perform several rites before becoming official members of the religious group. These private moments were never written about, and still to this day the mysteries of Elefsina remain hidden.
These are some of the many foods the group encountered in Greece. Some highlights include:
- Tzatziki: A type of dip or sauce consisting of Greek yogurt, cucumber, and fresh herbs.
- Horiatiki Salad (Greek Salad): A popular salad in Greek cuisine generally made with pieces of tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, and olives. This is typically always served as an appetizer.
- Saganaki: Saganaki is any one of a variety of dishes prepared in a small frying pan, the best-known being an appetizer of fried cheese.
- Spanakopita: Spanakopita is a delicious savory pie made of layers of phyllo dough and a filling consisting of spinach and feta cheese.
- Calamari (Grilled or Fried): Greece is one of the best places to try seafood, especially calamari, pieces of squid that are commonly battered and fried or grilled.
- Greek (Kalamata) Olives: Olives are a big part of Greek culture, and something they are well known for. Using olives they make olive oil, and many other products.
Throughout the entire trip, the group took many walks and hikes. One of the most stunning included a hike in Nafplio up the old Venetian fortress walls surrounding the city. The panorama not only featured all the city, but also the water surrounding it. This particular nook had an excellent spot for taking pictures, and also showed the old jail used in the past when Nafplio was colonized by the Venetians. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Zerom)
Greece is best known for its long-lasting pots and vases featuring different ceremonies and mythical tales. In this ceramic workshop, the group learned how to make a mug from scratch, only using stick and rolling pins as tools. Many of the group brought home their mugs. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Zerom)
One of the interesting activities the group participated in included a mock archaeological dig. The students were divided into different groups, each playing a different role in the dig. Students dug up the pieces, plotted them on a graph, took photos of the remains, recorded them down, and then reconstructed them together. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Zerom)
The Greece trip was an incredibly historical and magical trip. The students are very grateful for the teachers who accompanied them, as well as BB&N for providing the amazing opportunity to go to Greece. I would definitely recommend students to try going on it!