Times change. The world changes. Attitudes change. Perceptions become influenced. The difference or distance between what is good or bad shrinks or widens. Depending on the current social trends. What is good today, maybe unacceptable tomorrow. Or vice versa. Acceptable to one, not the other. No change there then.
Gone is the time you could sit on the blocks at Stonehenge. Gone is the time you could get so close that you could look directly down into the gaping hole at Geysir. Gone is the time you could stand and touch the ancient Acropolis. Cords now cordon. Keep the curious mobs at arms length. Protectionists blow their whistles if you do more than look. Protect their interest. And its dollar value. A worldwide phenomenon. Tourism rules – OK?
In 1960 a visit to the Acropolis was different. Mary-Ann has a photo at home to prove it. She was last here then. Journeying. On her way to a planned meeting – with you know who!
It seems on Greek railway stations time never changes though. Stands still. Clocks on every station we pass through set to mid-day. Or midnight. Ironically frozen in time. Was our train early or late?
We refuse to heed the advice of the camp owner. Save ourselves twenty euros. A special taxi deal. We Scoot the 4K return journey to Corinth station. The sixty-five minute train return to Athens a bargain 14.40 euros.
Athens City surrounds the Acropolis doughnut-like. Sprinkled with hundreds and thousands. Twinkling dwellings. Flashing solar panels and dishes. Dish up a romantic fantasy. Wish we were there.
Those supporting figures are replicas.
It’s iconic place and raised position is awesome. Guaranteed to impress. Despite the crowds. The ultimate Ancient Greece site to visit. Thankfully we turned right and not left. Left Athens to last.
So. We went to Athens. But then again we didn’t. We looked up to it. And down to it. From all sides. Come away with no idea of what it was really like. Then or now.