At the Track with a Lap & Claps!
Today (morning) was a full day exploring Athens with Kris until she left at 1:00 pm to travel to Crete. She pointed out a few restaurants and off-the-beaten-path finds she has come to know and love based on many years she’s traveled to Greece. Breakfast at The Underdog was a great way to kick off an ambitious morning.
As much as Kris has toured this area, there are still a few things she’s missed. One was dining at The Underdog coffee shop as mentioned above. Another was marching a bit through the Archaeological Site of Ancient Agora. I’m glad we had the time to explore on foot before she was picked up and whisked to the airport.
By mid-afternoon, I was on a mission to walk a lot. I wanted steps, and, I got ‘em. I cruised by many sites in Athens, including the meeting spot (Hadrian’s Arch) for my half-day tour scheduled for tomorrow. I zigged and zagged, shiggled and shagged my way around the city with ease. It was a glorious day, despite the weather app stating it was going to rain. However, rain may be the easy thing to navigate with an umbrella, compared to what I must admit: the beat up streets and sidewalks. Maybe the folks here think they have 2000 years or more to repair their beat up jagged wear and tear, rock strewn uneven “sidewalks.” Hey, when travel guru Rick Steves, or travel books/guides mention wearing comfortable walking shoes to help combat the unevenness paths, roads, sidewalks, and more, believe them!
Late afternoon came quickly when I finally arrived at the Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmo), home of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. I was very excited to be inside the world’s only all white marble stadium, run a lap on the track (with new friends I met inside the track from Australia, cheering me on), and explore the views from the lower to upper stands, imagining a full stadium with thousands of people cheering on their favorite athlete going way way back in time.
Way back in time means 330 BC! It was originally built to host athletic competitions during the Panathenaic Games honoring the goddess Athena. In 144 AD, Roman benefactor Herodes Atticus rebuilt the stadium entirely in white marble, still giving it that distinctive look we love today. Religious wars and neglect over centuries found the place in ruins. But, cooler heads prevailed in the late 1800s where this gem of a place was restored and became the centerpiece of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896!
It’s one of Athens great historical treasures, and I LOVED it!
Straddling those ancient athletes to today’s athletes’ and modern day Olympics, it is a sight to behold and take care of for many centuries ahead.
I suppose I should mention that I have a little Olympic history of my own. Back in 1977, at the ripe old age of 15, I won TWO gold medals at the Polish Olympic Games in Krakow, Poland—one in the 100-meter dash and another in the 400-meter race! My high school paper wrote an article on it: “Nolan Goes to Poland!”
Nearly 50 years later, here I was, standing on the starting line of the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, where the first modern Olympic Games were held.
Who would have thought?
I’ve logged plenty of miles running races and refereeing soccer over the decades, but this lap was something special. I even had my own cheering section of new Australian friends! No medals were awarded today, and I certainly wasn’t breaking any records, but I was having the time of my life.
From a 15-year-old gold medalist in Krakow to a 64-year-old American tourist taking a lap in Athens, I guess some things never change. The thrill of stepping onto this track had my heart racing a beat all over again.
On your marks. Get set. GO!
Almost 50 years later, I’m still going for the gold (for Childhood Cancer!); only this time, the gold wasn’t hanging around my neck. It was tucked into another unforgettable memory!
BSolielle!
Terri
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