For those that know me, I enjoy the spiritual part of life. As good German friend once told me, “I don’t think it’s okay for many people to just accept human existence. Many people search for something higher than themselves and a reason for why we are here.”
I have my own spiritual non-religious beliefs, but ever since I was a child I knew I needed to visit Acropolis. Something deep inside my soul became determined that I would visit this ancient city.
Nearing the end of my German journey, I became sad that I was so close to Athens, but between exhaustion from traveling and blowing my pocketbook, I was just as far from Athens as I would be in Seattle. Oddly enough, a company I work for in the states contacted me to present a workshop in Athens. Although work was the priority, I had a later evening flight that allowed me to squeeze in an afternoon visit to Acropolis.
I have my own spiritual non-religious beliefs, but ever since I was a child I knew I needed to visit Acropolis. Something deep inside my soul became determined that I would visit this ancient city.
Nearing the end of my German journey, I became sad that I was so close to Athens, but between exhaustion from traveling and blowing my pocketbook, I was just as far from Athens as I would be in Seattle. Oddly enough, a company I work for in the states contacted me to present a workshop in Athens. Although work was the priority, I had a later evening flight that allowed me to squeeze in an afternoon visit to Acropolis.
Hot, tired and sweaty, I was ready to conquer my dream. Walking up the quiet street, dotted with souvenir shops and taxi stands, I dusted the dirt off my arms and stood at the pathway up to Acropolis. The Acropolis Hill, also referred to as “The Sacred Rock,” is one the world’s most spectacular architectural wonders, and my soul recognized something.
A wave of chills overcame my body and with several tears streaming down my cheek, I said, “I’m home.” I did not know why I became emotional in that moment, but I knew my soul recognized this place. Shit, there had to be something. I mean I was obsessed over Spain and Greece while in college and I even named my blog The Lemon Tree, which the Mediterranean is the mecca of citrus trees. If it weren’t for the Greeks, I never would have studied Recreation, Leisure and Tourism, since leisure birthed from the Greek culture.
A wave of chills overcame my body and with several tears streaming down my cheek, I said, “I’m home.” I did not know why I became emotional in that moment, but I knew my soul recognized this place. Shit, there had to be something. I mean I was obsessed over Spain and Greece while in college and I even named my blog The Lemon Tree, which the Mediterranean is the mecca of citrus trees. If it weren’t for the Greeks, I never would have studied Recreation, Leisure and Tourism, since leisure birthed from the Greek culture.
|
|
I think too a part of my inner world grieved. I grieved for my fear to return to the US, a place that I sometimes have a hard time recognizing because the culture has gotten so extreme. Balance does not exist. The other part of me grieved for humanity.
I watched girls wearing t-shirts that say, “Barbie bitch” and take selfies with fish-lips and peace-sign hands; I could not help but become emotional about the future of where we are going as a “consumerist” species. This place, Acropolis, is the birthplace of some of the most brilliant minds known to man. Living in peace, without pollution, these creative minds had nothing to do but BIRTH the human mind and to observe the stars.
They saw the movement of the sky and they understood nature, man and the unity between the two beings.
All these creative and sophisticated beings – Aristotle, Socrates, Plato – and not forgetting about poets like Sappho, historians like Herodotus, scientists like Hippocrates and Pythagoras and leaders like Solon.
Fuck! This is it the place where western society based most of its thoughts, philosophies and theories.
Part of me could not believe a place like this still stood, but many buildings have been restored throughout the years due to past destruction. The eternal battle between the west and the east caused much destruction throughout the Centuries.
The most prolific building, the Parthenon, is one of the main reasons why people visit Acropolis. The Parthenon built in honor of Athena is the symbol of Athens, to thank the goddess for their success. The building replaced a temple that was destroyed by the Persians around 447 BC. The same building later became a place of worship for the Christians and eventually tuned into a mosque in 1456. Between further destruction, the remnants of this sacred building still stand today.
I watched girls wearing t-shirts that say, “Barbie bitch” and take selfies with fish-lips and peace-sign hands; I could not help but become emotional about the future of where we are going as a “consumerist” species. This place, Acropolis, is the birthplace of some of the most brilliant minds known to man. Living in peace, without pollution, these creative minds had nothing to do but BIRTH the human mind and to observe the stars.
They saw the movement of the sky and they understood nature, man and the unity between the two beings.
All these creative and sophisticated beings – Aristotle, Socrates, Plato – and not forgetting about poets like Sappho, historians like Herodotus, scientists like Hippocrates and Pythagoras and leaders like Solon.
Fuck! This is it the place where western society based most of its thoughts, philosophies and theories.
Part of me could not believe a place like this still stood, but many buildings have been restored throughout the years due to past destruction. The eternal battle between the west and the east caused much destruction throughout the Centuries.
The most prolific building, the Parthenon, is one of the main reasons why people visit Acropolis. The Parthenon built in honor of Athena is the symbol of Athens, to thank the goddess for their success. The building replaced a temple that was destroyed by the Persians around 447 BC. The same building later became a place of worship for the Christians and eventually tuned into a mosque in 1456. Between further destruction, the remnants of this sacred building still stand today.
The Temple of Athena Nike impressed my eyes with its powerful beauty. Perched on a hill, and guarded by towering pillars, I could not help but wonder what people did “back in the day.”
I contemplated the “deeper things” about human existence. In my twenties, I figured out all of my personal shit and now balanced and liberated at 30, I can now “worry” about my role in this world and the future of humans.
I contemplated the “deeper things” about human existence. In my twenties, I figured out all of my personal shit and now balanced and liberated at 30, I can now “worry” about my role in this world and the future of humans.
I walked the campus thinking, seeing and breathing, until I met the single-standing olive tree. The true symbol of the Greeks, this deeply rooted tree has more wisdom than my 30 years of existence. It told me to keep thinking and breathing and so did the cat down the road.
Still and calm, a slog of DSLR-camera tourists nudged me out of the way to get their “stock photo” of the cat. I started to believe that selfie-sticks are the vein of consumerism's humanity. I continued my journey.
Still and calm, a slog of DSLR-camera tourists nudged me out of the way to get their “stock photo” of the cat. I started to believe that selfie-sticks are the vein of consumerism's humanity. I continued my journey.
Nearby the towering Greek flag, I gazed into the distance staring at white and red rooftops while sliding out of the way for people’s selfie-sticks. I imagined that back in 400 BC, nothing but vast tree-covered lands once existed this space.
Some people travel just to travel and to accumulate passport stamps as a means of external bragging. And maybe I do the same, but many of my journeys are guided from within. If there’s an internal urge or attraction to see a place, there must be a reason why.
Some people travel just to travel and to accumulate passport stamps as a means of external bragging. And maybe I do the same, but many of my journeys are guided from within. If there’s an internal urge or attraction to see a place, there must be a reason why.
For me, travel is a time to be alone and think in solitude. Many of my solo journeys are just parts of me trying to pick up the pieces of my soul that I somehow left behind on this planet. And well, I found that piece of me lying in Acropolis. It told me to not be afraid, stop worrying and it’s okay to be different and that wisdom still has a place to be in this world.
At the time, I was 10 days away from launching my first travel memoir, Finding Om, a journey of backpacking and studying yoga in India. My journey of introspection and analysis between our east and west worlds inspired me to help people help themselves through ancient wisdom. And although semi-broke from backpacking, I knew abundance would find its way once again to my bank account.
At the time, I was 10 days away from launching my first travel memoir, Finding Om, a journey of backpacking and studying yoga in India. My journey of introspection and analysis between our east and west worlds inspired me to help people help themselves through ancient wisdom. And although semi-broke from backpacking, I knew abundance would find its way once again to my bank account.
Although nature has taught me a lot, so did Acropolis. And for that I am forever thankful for this experience and the time I spent with the Greek fitness professionals. Their culture is alive and amazing and although they struggle financially, their heart is in the right place, in their head – something much of the world is missing today.
Powerful places like Acropolis should never be taken for granted. The problems that our ancestors overcame and the appreciation people had for the past must never be forgotten. Although life is very difficult still today, it is no where near as challenging as it was even thirty years ago where parts of the world still suffered from inhumane acts.
Touring Acropolis is more than just a tourist destination. It's the gateway into your soul and to understand the origins of mankind's most innovative thinkers.
Wisdom begins in wonder. – Socrates
He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature. – Socrates
Wisdom outweighs any wealth. – Sophocles
Nature does nothing uselessly. The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. - Aristotle
Youth is the best time to be rich, and the best time to be poor. - Euripides
What have you learned on your journeys abroad? I'd love to hear more about your thoughts, contemplative moments or journeys into the world unknown (and your soul).
Let's Connect! Social Media, Monthly Newsletters, Email - Let's be Friends!
Touring Acropolis is more than just a tourist destination. It's the gateway into your soul and to understand the origins of mankind's most innovative thinkers.
Wisdom begins in wonder. – Socrates
He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature. – Socrates
Wisdom outweighs any wealth. – Sophocles
Nature does nothing uselessly. The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. - Aristotle
Youth is the best time to be rich, and the best time to be poor. - Euripides
What have you learned on your journeys abroad? I'd love to hear more about your thoughts, contemplative moments or journeys into the world unknown (and your soul).
Let's Connect! Social Media, Monthly Newsletters, Email - Let's be Friends!
RSS Feed