SNFCC Excursion: A Little Culture, a Lot of Walking, and a Kaput Battery!
The little pocket computer is a game changer for travel, and pretty much everthing we do in life nowadays. Sure, folks may not want one, or need a smart phone, and they get around by jumping through some hoops, but every day I realize that my iPhone (or Android) has become an essential part of my life. My Map App got a workout today, and I finally ran out of power late in the afternoon. My extra charger was not fully charged when I left this morning, and I thought I could get by without it.
Wrong! I needed that charger!
Battery drainage on this trip has been from overuse of Apple Maps. I’ve needed it for all my hikes around the city, getting to this place and that, plus looking up hours and addresses of the places I wanted to visit.
Luckily, when I ran out of power, I knew my way back home. I had a paper map in my bag, but never needed it.
Today was a good day. I figured out the free shuttle to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center on the west side of Athens (near the sea), and left my apartment at 7:30 am to walk to Symtagma Square where I’d meet the shuttle for the 8:30 am run. I was really early, but that was okay. As the minutes ticked by, I noticed several people enter the area to meet the bus that I thought would also be on the shuttle with me. Yes, I was right! Everyone got a seat on the 20 passenger minibus for the 15-20 minute ride.
Once we got dropped off to this huge campus with a canal, the Greek Opera house, the National Library of Greece, gift shop, and the Stavros Niachos Rooftop Park, I went to work getting to know this space where everyone has free access and can participate in a multitude of cultural, educational, athletic, environmental, and recreational activities and events. They also have a restaurant at the top of the building, but it was closed today for an event. I actually hit a bit of culture shock being in this new shiny and spiffy building, compared to the ancient cities, structures and ruins thousands of years old that I’ve gotten used to over almost two weeks.
Since rain was again a threat, I got my brochure, studied the lay of the land, and immediately went to the Park and Great Lawn before any drops landed on my head. Frankly, I was quite impressed with the articulate gardens, plants, an abundance of olive trees, a playground and a lighthouse, and more. I spend a solid hour walking through most all of it.
At first, there was only me, a few security guards and the garden staff. Deep into my own thoughts as a toured around, the noise from the roads below seeped in. I’m not sure when it’s quiet enough to fully enjoy the scenery, but I let go of those sounds to fully enjoy my time on this wonderful campus.
It was perfect timing when the rain came in for me to head down to the Library. I checked out all the floors and finally settled into a comfy chair to read my book for an hour. The whole thing was lovely and inviting for anyone. My last half hour was spend in the Agora, a little cafe next to the Library and gift shop.
This excursion was peaceful.I was thrilled to visit this beautiful place. I hope this modern cultural center designed for generations to come will last as long as the ancient city has only a few miles away.
Technology got me there, but curiosity kept me exploring new things. And when my phone finally called it quits on me, I still had everthing I needed to find my way home.
And I almost forgot to add the tie in to the Olympic Stadium I visited a few days ago. The Cultural Center is the proud home to the Spyros Louis Cup.
Let me explain for a minute: In 2012, the Stavos Niarchos Foundation announced the it aquired the Bréal’s Silver Cup, the first Marathon Winner’s Cup presented to Spyros Louis at the inaugural Modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, in an auction held at Christie’s!
bSoleille!
Terri
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