BY AYESHA BİLAL (PSYC/III)
ayesha@ug.bilkent.edu.tr
A friend recently asked me, and not for the first time, what civilizations I would like to be able to witness if I could, as a spectator traveling through history. Two answers to this question always come to my mind, in no order of preference: the Greek and the Egyptian civilizations. Both are marvels of mankind’s progression in history, and extraordinary legacies that distinguish themselves in their own ways. I have yet to see the historical beauty of Egypt as it remains today; however, Greece is a land I have much explored, to my perpetual delight. It is a land of myths and gods and bona fide testimonials to how deeply these supernatural stories and beings were entwined with the everyday lives of ordinary people. Those testimonials can be seen in the form of ruins of ancient temples and sculptures that pay tribute to the gods, as well as countless theaters, public buildings, assembly halls and gymnasiums, all examples of the distinctive ancient Greek architecture whose beauty and strength still remain visible to admirers today, thousands of years later.
I think it’s needless to say why I have such a deep-rooted interest in Greece, but if you’re still left wondering, then let me exemplify it this way—take a stroll through the ancient city of Olympia, where you walk through tunnels that lead you into the remains of an awe-inspiring stadium, and realize that this is where the world’s first Olympic games were held and a tradition lasting to this day began more than two thousand years ago. Around you are the magnificent manmade temples dedicated to Zeus and other gods that made Olympia a center of worship at that time, around the 10th century BC. Or take a dip in the beautiful waters of Rhodes—known for its breathtaking shores where the giant bronze Colossus of Rhodes once stood—reached by the stone-paved paths of a medieval town, one of the best preserved in Europe, with castles and mansions all around you. If you’re edging toward the luxurious side, be serenaded by the sound of waves crashing on the shores of Santorini while you’re surrounded by the distinctive ancient Greek architecture. Little need be said concerning Athens, with the city itself being a giant museum of sorts where past and present blend in perfect harmony. If such contemplations don’t leave you speechless and in awe, then you’re not reflecting deeply enough on the impressiveness of the fact that, in the place where ancient Greeks once walked about and conducted their daily lives, worshipping gods that we now consider mere myths, thousands of years later people from the same race now walk, embodying a contrast in time.
There can be no disagreeing with the statement that all Greek islands are beautiful in their own ways, be it in terms of their natural beauty or the beauty of the history that remains visible there. One such island that is relatively less frequented was recommended to me by a family friend, so I decided to visit it this summer. As expected of Greece, it didn’t disappoint. The island, known as Aegina, is reachable by an hour’s ferry ride from the port of Athens. Although more expensive and luxurious options were available, my companion and I decided to take the morning boat, which was quite reasonably priced (around 8 euros). The side of the island where we arrived was home to various restaurants and cafés as well as the port. However, we had chosen a hotel located on the other side of the island (and I would recommend that anyone who is interested in going there do the same); about a half an hour’s bus ride took us to Agia Marina, the beautiful beachside town that displayed to us its clear blue waters and seemingly endless shores from the moment we arrived. The town’s population is very small, and appeared to be made up mainly of a few tourists along with some fishermen and owners of small hotels and restaurants. Agia Marina is not an expensive place by any means, and everything—including our food, accommodation and sightseeing—came in way under what we had budgeted to spend. The town also boasts an incredible gyro vendor, who did not disappoint, and with this delicious Greek quick bite, we set off for the shore, where we enjoyed the serenity of the Aegean Sea. The food was one of the highlights of this short trip, as it was cheap and always up to the mark. Of course, since it’s a seaside town, the best choice to eat was fish—always the catch of the day, and some of the best this fish lover has ever tasted. As for the sights, towering above the island were the incredible ruins of a Greek Doric temple honoring the goddess Aphaia, built around 500 BC; you can hike up to it amid natural beauty on a path that gives you a progressively better view of the stunning sea surrounding you. The locals, as is usual in Greece, were incredibly friendly and welcoming, and, interestingly, part of a very close-knit society, seeing as how the taxi driver who took us back to the port from our hotel was a woman whose husband’s best friend had driven the taxi that took us to our hotel upon our arrival.
Though we stayed on the island only a short three days, I wish I could have spent more time enjoying the relaxing Greek island lifestyle and would highly recommend Aegina to anyone seeking a short, low-budget experience with all the bells and whistles of a typical Greek vacation. If the history of the land doesn’t catch your eye, its beauty surely will.