Carpe Diem!

Gladiators fighting each other and wild animals to entertain the citizens of Rome. A slaughter house for millions of innocent lives, including the animals. This was the Roman Colosseum 2,000 years ago. Now it is one of the largest tourist attractions in the country. What remains of the Colosseum is truly magnificent. This stone arena constructed in 70 AD holds as many as 80,000 people and consists of three levels. The very bottom, the dungeon as I call it. This level is where slaves, gladiators and wild animals were housed before sent to slaughter. The second level is the ground floor where the "entertainment" took place. The third level is of course the stadium seating for spectators to sit and enjoy their show. The way the Colosseum has deteriorated over the years is almost perfect. That sounds silly, but there is a perfect view of each level, in detail, when looking down upon the stadium from up high.
Oh, and there is such a thing as stone robbers. My initial thoughts were, "who'd want to steal hunks of stone." Then I remembered it was the Roman Colosseum and that wouldn't be a bad souvenir. No worries, I refrained. 

Levels.

There is just something about black and whites when shooting history.

My favorite shot.

After the Colosseum we headed toward the Roman Forum- the town hall, temples, a palace, etc. 
Again, these ruins are very well preserved and offer much to see. Lucky us, we caught some excavation in action on our way to the Forum. 
It is amazing that a fully functioning, modern-day city has just developed itself around the Colosseum, Forum and history in general. Roads, modern buildings, vendors and sidewalks surround it all. The Colosseum essentially sits smack dab in the middle of a road. Insane!

Semi-full view

The glare of the sun.

"Here lies Julius Caesar!"

Supposedly the grave of Julius Caesar.

SPQR - The Senate and People of Rome. These letters are branded all throughout the city.

Spanish Steps. Not much.

The day is young on this tour, we still have several more big sights to hit. Rome is huge, therefore it has alot of history to show us.
Once we browse the Forum, Eirini meets back up with us, we tell Marco Ciao and head toward the other side of the city to continue sightseeing.

We stop at the Spanish Steps. That's all it is- steps. Honestly not much to see. Of course there is historical significance. It symbolizes linkage, otherwise I have nothing to say in regard to the steps.

Next is Trevi Fountain. We've all been dying to make our wishes and throw coins into the fountain. We spent a good 20 minutes snapping photos here and the square where the fountain is located was packed!

Next we are herded to the center of Rome where the Pantheon is, yet another historical building surrounded by modern day architecture. The Pantheon was labeled a temple and dedicated to all of the Roman gods, not one specific. What makes the Pantheon so unique is it's architecture. The roof of this building is not enclosed. It is not a dome, the open circle in the ceiling is called the Oculus. Because of the weight of construction materials during its construction, builders knew the material would be too heavy to hold if they enclosed the Pantheon. Avoiding future collapse and damage, they simply left a perfect circle unclosed in the center of the structure later known as the Oculus. In my opinion, the Oculus is what makes the Pantheon so majestic. On this particular day, the sun shines through sending a perfect ray of light into the room. Even better, the remainder of the room remains dimly lit, except for wherever the beam of light shines in.

After all the sights were seen, I grabbed lunch with a few others then split off to shop around and explore on my own. Just wanted some time to soak in all of the scenery. Such a beautiful town. The streets are narrow and the buildings are tall and all are different shades of oranges, reds, yellows and greens. Utterly mesmerizing.

Well, finally we made it back to the hotel and our long day is yet to be over. Tonight we were headed out for a pub crawl around the city. It was an organized, get a free t shirt at the end of the night kind of thing. We started at a small bar that provided a welcome shot and two free drinks. Oh, and pizza! There were several other tour groups there as well and we all quickly loosened up and began making friends with everyone.

YAMAS!

From this beginner bar we headed to a bigger, more club type bar- a million blocks away. Again, we were in a herd being guided to our destination. That got old real quickly. At this point everyone is loosened up and in party mode. The dance floor doesn't stay vacant for long. And we met even more people, whom we dragged to our final destination at a club even more blocks away. This club, however, didn't end so brightly for most of us. We are all there to have a good time with each other and the grabby men of Europe could not comprehend that we weren't interested in dancing with them. They also can't grasp the concept of "keep your hands to yourself." It was late so we got our free shirts, jumped in a few cabs and headed back to the hotel for the night to crash.
Welcome to Rome! What a day!

Ashes and ruin

Last night we took an overnight ferry to our next destination. There was, of course, a three hour bus ride involved prior to catching said ferry. We were told some sketchy people might be aboard the ferry. At this point nothing shocks me and I practically ignore the warning. We all settled in our tight spaced cabins and napped, read and visited and attempted to rest up in preparation for the next country- Italy.
The captain allowed our group to have a tour of the control room. Having Eirni truly was a wonder! Between the seven (yes, seven) languages she speaks, her endless number of contacts and that charm of hers, there wasn't much we didn't get to take advantage of.

Ferry to Italy!

We were off the ferry at 7:00 a.m. There would be a long day ahead of us riding the bus to Rome from the bottom of the boot. We would stop along the way in Pompeii for a tour of the ancient town left in ruins from the volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in the year 79 A.D. 
Guys! Again, I will emphasize that no matter how descriptive I get in retelling this adventure you will still never honestly know the depths of the beauty and history that lives on. But, as I said, I'll give it my best.
When we arrive in Pompeii, Eirini, the great, has arranged for us to watch a professional cameo carver. (Cameos are a piece of jewelry typically portrayed as the face of a woman carved from ivory.)

We spent an hour or so browsing the gallery for pieces for ourselves and our families. I, of course, refrained and bought the knock off cameo from outside. Euros don't come easy :)
Oh yeah, before I forget, just for random sake- check out the size of these lemons and oranges! Apparently this is a big thing in Pompeii and these lemons make the best, sweetest lemonade I've ever tasted. 

 

After the demonstration and shopping around the town center a bit we met Geno, the love of my life and our tour guide for the day. Ha! I'm kidding about the love of my life part, but he was a great guide. Definitely one of the most fun guides we had throughout our tour experiences. It's hard to capture a bunch of 20-something-year-olds attention in the heat of the summer. 

Exterior of the town. View from town center.

The exterior of the city's boundaries line the walk way toward the entrance of the tour. You can see from the picture that the greenest of green bushes and trees, along with magenta colored flowers, line the paths surrounding the ruins and the town. The colors brighten the mood of the place. It's like one big graveyard, as morbid as that sounds. 
According to Geno, the city of Pompeii in 79 A.D., when the eruption occurred, left the
city buried and destroyed by the ash and molten lava that exploded from the eruption. This first eruption is the most well-known because it was the most unexpected and damaging. At the time, citizens thought the gods were punishing them (there is a movie coming out soon called Pompeii that may be an accurate depiction to check out.) What remains of the ancient city of Pompeii is actually more than you would think would've been left by such a disaster. In my opinion anyway. 

 
This was the theater at one point in time. As we learned, arts were a very popular form of entertainment in ancient times. The theater was derived during the ancient times after all. The theater is in surprisingly fair shape. It seems most of the damage done from the eruption of 79 is the number of people wiped from the population.

The most heartbreaking scene from Pompeii is without a doubt, the sight of the encased, petrified bodies. According to National Geographic, scientist have found that the flash of extreme heat instantly killed these ancient Romans. According to their research, the people didn't have time to suffocate because the heat was so severe they simply died instantly. 
There are several petrified bodies throughout the tour, some encased like the one pictured. Some in the open with the rest of the artifacts. 
Some bodies are kneeling, some crouched, others laid out just like this one. 
It's heartbreaking to know this happened to thousands of people, yet, it's a little uplifting to know some may have died instantly. After all, none of them ever expected such a disaster and probably lost all of their homes and belongings anyway.

On a less morbid note, throughout the tour we crossed the path of an old brothel. If you look closely enough, a penis can be found carved out on the walls near street signs. The penis points in the direction of the nearest brothel. Disturbing, yet very cleaver. 

Although I've already covered the highlights of the tour I'd like to emphasize the weather this day. Obviously it was hot, that's just an understood at this point. The sky was perfect for the day though. Rain was coming and everywhere we stood the sky was cloudy, but not dark, and the sun remained out. Yet, so many miles in the distant, where MT. Vesuvius sits, it was practically pitch dark. The clouds surrounding the mountain were dark gray and it gave the appearance that the sun had not risen in days. The whole time we're walking through our tour I couldn't help but not how fitting the weather was for this tour. In the distance was danger and destruction, but in town people were going about in their daily routines with no cares in the world regarding the sleeping volcano that could erupt at any time bringing its wrath with it. 

What remains of columns in the town center

Look closely and you can see the outline of Mt. Vesuvius

The sky in this photo.

Trying to capture where the sky divides dark and light

And two hours later we would be in Rome! One of the top reasons I booked this trip. :)

An Ancient Wonder of the World

This morning we would have our first, of many, tours. Legit with a guide, headsets and all that jazz. We were touring the city of Athens via bus (how else) and then the Acropolis. This is what I came to see. History! call me a nerd but I had long been awaiting the days to see where Democracy was formed. We were no longer in the slum part of Athens but the city as it is portrayed.
Our first stop was Panathinaiko, or Panathenaic Stadium, home of the first modern day Olympics in 1896. Greek and Olympic flags of fly in front of the stadium. It's not much to look at, but if your imagination is up to par, it can do the looking for you.
Our stop at Parliament was lucky. we stopped in time to watch the changing of guards. This is a very ceremonial, routine event. More complicated and rehearsed than simply trading posts. We also drove past the College of Athens and what's left of the Temple of Zeus, but finally, we reached the Acropolis.

Impossible to capture full stadium. 

Before visiting Europe I thought The Acropolis of Athens was the only acropolis. That is false. There are several. However, Athens' is typically known as "The Acropolis," so I'm convinced this is a common misconception. "The word acropolis comes from the Greek words ἄκρον (akron, "edge, extremity") and πόλις (polis, "city")."
Moving on...
Again, we are hiking up rock and dirt to reach our destination. You don't see much from below and as you're walking up, suddenly you turn a corner and BAM!---Acropolis! Initially all I see are some old sanctuaries I believe but the further up we go the more my jaw drops. When we reach the very top, there she is, in all her beauty--- The Parthenon. In my 23 years of living I have only ever seen pictures of this structure, and even those pictures look photo shopped. Never in my life did I imagine I'd be standing, feet covered in dust, staring at history. 
I know I elaborated on all this looking and standing with history nonsense when I described Delos, but the Acropolis is different for me because I actually knew what it was before this trip.
Athens created democracy as we know it, Athena came to Athens when it was no more than the highest point of the city, and it was all just a domino effect from there. 
Here's the story in a nutshell...
Originally Poseidon, brother of Zeus, and Athena, daughter of Zeus settled in Athens and soon a battle for whom the city would be named after ensued. Poseidon struck a rock and created a water spring. Athena dropped a seed that instantly turned to an olive tree. The Athenians, obviously by it's name, chose Athena's gift because it was wise and served multiple purposes. And to this day olive oil can be found on the table of every restaurant in Greece. So, thank you, Athena, for such a delicacy!

The Old Temple of Athena

Of course, the Parthenon is under construction but it's breathtaking nonetheless. The whole Acropolis is under a major construction. Pieces deteriorate and architects and specialists have to keep it in tact piece by piece. It's all too much to explain, especially since I'm not 100% on what I'm saying. All I know is Greeks must pay some serious taxes to keep all there wonders intact. 
The Parthenon is dedicated to non other than Athena herself. It symbolizes Ancient Greece as we know it and was built at the height of the Athenian era. 

Yeah, I took that :)

This is why 'selfies' are OK in Europe :)

For marble, granite, dust and gravel, the Acropolis of Athens sure is a sight for sore eyes. I can't attempt to describe the way this place made me feel without doing damage so I will leave it be. It's just absolutely an unlisted wonder of the world. I don't know who creates the lists of "The Seven Wonders of the World, Ancient World, Modern World," but they do not make the list long enough.

And then the sun came up...

So Delos was the first of many beautiful civilizations we'd see in the next five weeks. After the long day of fighting the wind, sand and heat, we eventually made it back to the hotel. I'm fairly certain I hit up a lounge chair by the pool and read my book until I dozed off for a bit.
Tonight is when I discover friendship in my new comrades. Oh yes, and the sunrise. WOW!
Cavo Paradiso was a blast, but wow, tonight was incredible.

And so it begins!

Steph, Bri, Nicole and I set out for the town. We started at a small bar called Down Under with some people Steph met earlier in the day. It was a slow start to the night because we are all still lagging from the previous night. We have yet to adjust to long days and nights with little sleep at this point in the trip.
From the first club we head more toward the center of town to Scandinavian Bar, a night club housed above some stores. This place is packed. Practically pitch black with strobe lights flashing everywhere. This is Mykonos! We instantly make our way to the bar and grab drinks! Eventually we head to the dance floor and by the end of the night we are dancing on top of these table/benches/I'm not really sure what to call them, but Bri, Nicole and I are having one helluva time shaking our tail feathers to a room full of complete strangers involved in their own dance parties. It's funny how much being in a foreign place allows you to cut loose and enjoy yourself a little.
We spent the remainder of the night out yelling "Yamas!," (Greek for 'Cheers!') and taking shots of Ouzo (famous Greek liquor).

"I've had the time of my life and I owe it all to you!"

When our quads gave out and the sweat and body heat of hundreds of others became too much with the alcohol we headed back to the hotel. We walked around for roughly two hours. We were quite tipsy at this point yet far too wired to retire to the hotel room. However, it was 4:30 a.m., and I wanted to go back and get my camera because the sun would rise soon and the pictures were going to be epic.
It took Bri and I the next hour and a half to make it to the hotel to grab the camera between drunken distractions and the five mile hike up. (I would take that mile long hike four more times that day; back and forth. Just sayin'.)

5a.m. glamour shots :)

Early morning walk through town.

Sunrise from the top of town...

When Bri and I finally made it to the hotel and grabbed my camera the position of the sun was perfect. I couldn't take my eyes off the beauty around me long enough to take enough photos to attempt to capture the beauty of the island. Every where you turned there was something else to look at. 
"Minis!," as Bri would habitually pick up on saying. 
Everything there was tiny though. The smallest cars and miniature trucks, mini concrete picnic tables, mini doors and houses and churches. Endless amounts of dwarf-size fun (sorry if that is politically incoorect.)
Once we reached town, Bri took it upon herself to pick up trash along the beach. I have to share this with y'all because it became one of our fondest memories. As I stood back on the shore in slight confusion, fellow passersby continually asked me, "what is she doing?"
"She loves MYKONOSSS!" I drunkenly retort.  
It still doesn't make sense, but it was 6 a.m. and hilarious and makes for a good story now. Don't worry I have pictures of this, too. :)
When Bri found enough garbage to dispose of and sea glass to retain we found some breakfast. We stopped at the first place we saw, ordered a strawberry and kiwi waffle and a Nutella and banana crepe to split. If you've never been to Europe, they worship Nutella. Just FYI. It's disgusting really. Anyway our waiter is a riot. And shortly after we order these five Greek guys show up in an equal state as Bri and I, and begin chanting the Greek futbol teams anthem. 
We're quite certain they were getting quite the entertainment from us because although many Greeks speak English, these guys were playing dumb.There was much more said at breakfast that, like some things, stay in Mykonos ;)
Eventually we made it to the hotel- again!
Bri crashed on a lounge chair by the pool and I set back to town after a shower and just perused all by myself. It was a wonderful, sleep-lacking morning. I also made it all the way around town and back to the hotel without getting lost. 
In every city as soon as I figured out my way around we left. Go figure!
We were due to catch the ferry back to Athens at noon. We were all pretty devastated to see Mykonos go. Day 5 of our lives together and already we were gabbing non stop to each other. This ferry ride was much quicker since I slept the five hours back. The most uncomfortable positions will do when you've been awake and running for 30+ hours. 

These pictures portray absolutely no justice to the true beauty that is Mykonos. We saw a hundred cities in the 12 countries we hit over 35 days, and they were all wonderful in their own way, but I can honestly say not a single other city compares to Mykonos. 
I could spend hours describing the structure, colors, weather, people and vibe of this city but you will never truly feel it the way we did until you've visited it. 
It truly was paradise. 
I think Mykonos holds the most special place in all of our hearts because it was the first city we fell in love with on our journey. Mykonos was the first place we all truly bonded with one another. I conquered my fear of heights (mostly). Some of you got tattoos. Some of us ruined our brand new iPhone5 because the life proof case wasn't all that life proof. Half of us spent half of our budget the first night. Regardless what it was about Mykonos, it was the place that taught us we were going to make it through this crazy journey, and we were going to do it together and one city at a time we slowly turned into world travelers. 

Greece :)

This is someone's home. ADORABLE, right?

A semi view of how treacherous this town is