June 12, 2016

We enjoyed a grand buffet breakfast before getting a taxi and meeting Kate's Greek friends Penny and Tessa at the Acropolis Museum. The museum sits adjacent to the Acrpolis, which is huge, beautiful and striking. The museum itself is built over the old Greek roads and shops that led up to the Acropolis. The beautiful entryway is made of glass so that you can look down at the old ruins, continuing to be excavated. The actual angle and shape of the museum was made in 2009 to replicate the size and angle of the Acropolis. Once inside the rooms on the second floor replicate the floor plan of the Acropolis. Large columns are spaced similarly to the old with many of the original stone carvings placed on the inside-outside walls. Must of the stone sculptures are the originals, however where pieces are missing, new plaster replicas are placed so that the visitor may see and experience the original temple. It is truly spectacular.  Inside we enjoyed looking at ancient pottery and other statues found inside and outside of the structure. We also learned about the Gods worshipped at the temple. The stories related to the Greek Gods and Greek mythology. It has been many years since I heard many of the stories.

After enjoying many hours at the museum we walked down the walkway to a wonderful Greek restaurant. Penny ordered salads, breads and olives and we each ordered an entry. I had a Greek Gryro that was amazing. After spending a couple hours at lunch we took a taxi back to the hotel. We also made arrangements with our taxi driver to return to pick us up to go to the airport on Tuesday.

Doug, Mary Lou, and I took naps while Kate visited with her friends. We then met for conversation and drinks, followed by a gorgeous view of the Acropolis from our 8th floor window of our hotel restaurant.

Message of the day: The Greek statues represented human struggle. The early Greek people were looking for a way to be in relationship with their God's and to make sense of their lives and there struggles. That sounds a lot like the purpose of our faith and out chuches today.