Greece, Chapter 2

The family at the Parthenon. A dream come true to be standing here!


The Caryatid Maidens at the Erecthion. I love these statues. This temple celebrates the competition between the gods Poseidon and Athena over who the city should be named for. Poseidon thrust his trident into the ground here, and a spring came forth. Athena invented the olive tree and planted it right here. The people of the city valued the olive tree more, so the city was named Athens after Athena. How 'bout that?


Mom and I at the Parthenon. Pardon the glistening we're doing. It was REALLY hot, even early in the morning.


The view of Athens from the top of the Acropolis.


The Parthenon; a temple to the goddess Athena. SO AMAZING! To think of the important people throughout history who have stood on this hill and looked at this building!


Natalie and the Parthenon. We had seen the New Acropolis Museum the day prior, so we were able to truly appreciate what had happened to this temple throughout time. It was blown up, it was made into a mosque, the beautiful statues were chiseled off because they were offensive. It's a miracle that it's still standing after 3,000 years!


Then we walked down to Mars Hill, which is where the Apostle Paul gave his sermon to the men of Athens. These steps up to the hill look so ancient, I wonder if Paul climbed them.


Shannon on Mars Hill.


Mars Hill. Dad brought his scriptures and read to us out of Acts 17. So cool!

Rachel with the Temple of Hephestus. I thought the kids would be bored with all the ruins, but they loved it! Of course, my dad is a history buff and a great storyteller, so he made it fun for them.


We visited the Ancient Agora, which is the old marketplace of Athens. It's where Aristotle and Sophocles would have taught. Sophocles was arrested for corrupting the minds of the youth and was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock. Little hemlock cups have been unearthed here.


Kevin channeling his inner Greek God at the Ancient Agora.


Here are my parents, with the Acropolis in the background. They are great missionaries and are doing so much for the people of Greece.


Picturesque shot of Kevin and I with the Acropolis.