Delphi

The trip to Delphi today was spectacular. We finally had a chance to see the Greek countryside and it was beautiful. After we got out of Athens, we were quickly surrounded by fields ringed with mountains. As we got close to Delphi, we stopped for lunch and then took the winding mountain road through a little village to Delphi.

The site itself was remarkable. The museum had some famous statues and it was great to get up close with things we only see in Art History books, especially the Charioteer, a fifth century bronze is wonderful condition - the bronze eyelashes are still there. We next started the hike up to the sacred area and saw the Temple of Apollo, the Theater and the Stadium. The kids ran a quick race; I sat and watched.

We'll be on the flight from Milan to Boston by the time most of you wake up tomorrow. You can follow our progress again using the Alitalia website.

I look forward to seeing you at Logan tomorrow.

One Day to Go

Today we spent on board the good ship Georgios, sailing the Saronic Gulf with stops at the islands of Poros, Hydra, and Aegina. While the stops ashore were nice, with time to stroll and shop in some very charming seaside towns, some among the group found the time aboard the ship long and uncomfortable. However, A fine dinner in the Plaka, along with the accompaniment of traditional Greek Bouzouki music, restored our energy. We look forward to our visit tomorrow (our last day) to the awe-inspiring site of Delphi---home of the famed Oracle of Apollo.

Last Day in Athens

Today is our final day in Athens. Tomorrow we go on a cruise in the Saronic Gulf (Egina, Hydra and Poros). While everyone is excited, they have just realized that we'll need to be up and out by 7AM, so we'll have breakfast checkin at 6:30. There is a bus ride to the Piraeus, so people can sleep a bit, but then we'll be on the cruise until 7PM.

Today we visited the Agora where Dr. Hartnett read from Plato's Apology and Mr. O'Donnell talked about Athenian democracy and ostracism. Before we climbed the Areopagus, Rev. LaMacchia talked to the group about St. Paul's time in Athens. We also visited the Stadium and Ms. McCann talked about the ancient and modern Olympics. We had lunch and had some free time in Plaka after watching the changing of the guard at the Parliament Building.

This afternoon, we had a rest before the trip out to the new Olympic Stadium for a soccer game tonight. I don't know much about Greek soccer, but everyone is very excited. I'll let you know tomorrow afternoon how the trip went.

Sunday

We've gotten tickets for a soccer game tomorrow, so even though we're going to the Agora in the morning, the highlight of the day will be at night when we head out to Olympic Stadium for a Panathenikos game against a team from Crete. We'll go by train and plan to leave a bit early to avoid the crowds on the way home.

You may have read about some riots here in Athens. While they are close to us, we have avoided them. Most have been scheduled for later in the evening, after we're already at dinner or back in the hotel.

Here's a picture of the group addressed by Dr. Hartnett at the theater in Ostia, our last site in Italy. More pictures will go up as soon as we get back.

Acropolis

Today we visited the Acropolis and while it was remarkable to walk up to the Parthenon and look out over Athens, the weather has changed and it is quite a bit colder than it was in Rome. The students enjoyed an afternoon in the Plaka for lunch and shopping and right now, they are taking a break before dinner. We'll be eating at 8, which is late for us but early for the Athenians, who prefer to start at about 9.

Everyone is doing well, although there are some blisters and general tiredness. I hope that the cruise on Monday will revive everyone for the trip to Delphi Tuesday, our final day here.

Safe in Athens

We're all in Athens. The trip from Rome, while early (we left at 6AM), was easy. We have a nice hotel here and after a few minutes at the hotel to drop off our bags, we had lunch (most people had Greek salads) and set out. Dr. Hartnett took the group to the Pnyx for an orientation to the city and now we're going to the National Archaeological Museum. Dinner is at 8 for an authentic ancient Greek meal with no utensils, arranged by Mrs. Tamvakologos.

The students are excited about tomorrow's trip to the Acropolis, in part because we'll have a bus (no more walking).

A Note from Ashlinn

Today we are waiting at 5:40 in the morning so that we can go to the airport and fly over to Athens. The flight to athens will be about 3 hours and we will get there around 8:30 Athens time. When we arrive in Athens we will probably return to the hotel so that we can unpack a little and then Mr. Conti will bring us around Athens and make us walk around for awhile allowing us to see the local city we are staying in for the next couple of days.

A Note from Dessi

Today we went to see the Pope in Vatican City and also to the Sistine Chapel. The Pope also gave a shout out to St. Marks School, and we stood up and shouted. The Sistine Chapel was overwhelming with all the pictures on the ceiling looking over you almost as if they were about to fall down onto the floor. It was quite enormous as well with swarms of people coming in and out. There was also a huge crowd at the Papal audience. We also saw St. Peter's Basilica, which is the biggest church in the universe. It also had many statues and paintings all around it, as well as being laid out in the shape of a cross with a gigantic high altar.

Vatican Day

We're off to the Vatican today for a Papal Audience in the morning and museums in the afternoon. The students will, I hope, appreciate the experience. I know they'll appreciate the slow pace of the day, even if we do have to get an early start.

Last night was my favorite dinner in Rome and I think the students liked it as well. We went to Orso 80 where the antipast includes 16 different options, all brought to your table until you're overwhelmed. After a short break, everyone was ready for pasta and then a quick walk to Giolitti for gelato.

All Here

The whole group is now here in Rome as the two varsity basketball players arrived safely this morning. We're off now to San Clemente, a church close to the hotel, and a brief break at the Spanish Steps before dinner.

Tomorrow is a busy day with an early start. Our audience with the Pope is in the morning and we'll take the Rome Metro for the first time. In the afternoon, we will see the Vatican Museums. This is also the best time to send postcards (at the Vatican postoffice), so everyone will be writing notes after dinner tonight.

A Note from Sara

Oh, hello everyone, I didn't see you there. I am writing to you from the lobby of our Hotel in Italy, and is it about 9:25... just about. We had a lovely day today, waking up well rested and getting sraight down to business at the Forum. We saw the temple of Jupiter Stator (Jupiter the Protector), which is the exact place where Cicero gave the very speech that Latin III read. Well, Mr. Conti is rushing me so I have to wrap this up, but we're all healthy and happy and full of gelato. BYE!!! (Mrs. Cavanaugh, you're son says Hi).

A Note from Trevor

Hello,

Currently, most of the kids are either passed out in their rooms or sitting together talking. This is the first real break we have had so far, and everyone is enjoying it. After waking up at 9, by personal alarm clock or Mr.Conti, the kids ate breakfast in the hotel and departed to the city at 9:30. We visited the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill, and the House Augustus. I was the first person to misplace something, my camera, but was able to run back to the American Express office to retrieve it successfully. Tonight we taking a brief 25 minute walk to a church (St. John Lateran) then to dinner. Rest will be needed tonight to revive the kids from their zombie-like phase.

Arrived in Rome

Just about an hour ago, we arrived at our hotel in Rome. Despite a long wait at the airport in Rome for our baggage, the trip was uneventful and everyone is safe and sound. After a brief rest, we will head off to lunch and a visit to the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Capitlone Museums, followed by dinner. I expect that we will just make it back to the hotel before everyone collapses.

I'll let you know tomorrow about the first full day and try to add some pictures and a student reaction to the trip so far.

Away We Go!

We'll depart today at 3:30 from the Front Circle, thanks to Mr. Large, Ms. McBride and Ms. Sanchez, who will be driving us to the airport. Our flight departs at 6PM and arrives in Milan at 7:35AM. You can track the flight using the Alitalia website. It has left early each day this week and arrived early as well, so I hope that we will make our connection to Rome.
We'll send an update as soon as we can after we arrive.