Today we had a free morning in which groups set out for different adventures. Some went to explore the flea market, others went to parliament and saw the changing of the guards. The changing of the guards is meant to symbolically resemble horses as an homage to Greece’s military past. All men in Greece have a mandatory nine month service in the army, and another twelve months mandatory service to the Navy and Air force. We learned that they are able to defer this mandatory serving, but they must complete it before they turn 45. Women are also able to join any of the forces, but it is on a voluntary basis and not required.
In the afternoon we went to the archaeological museum of Athens where we learned all about the different styles of statues and what time period they are connected with, such as Archaic statues having very little defining features, simply a sly smile. We also saw the progression of different Gods and Goddesses throughout time and learned how perceptions and iconography changed with the times. An example is when Aphrodite was first portrayed with no clothes on different communities were in uproar about it, but slowly over time her being portrayed with very little to no clothes on became a norm to showcase her beauty and set her apart from the other Goddesses.
We then were left to our own devices for dinner and a majority of us went to our favorite souvlaki place for gyros! We have become regulars and the owner even remembered some of our orders from the previous nights before.
Oles in Greece 2020 