The Big Fat GreekStory

Life has been “Know as you go”. I remember zero facts from my fat books of school and all my wisdom has been from what I have seen during my travel and meeting people. I thought Greece would be just a relaxing vacation by the sea, but it ended up being the greatest history lesson I had.

If Notre Dam in Paris can awe us, the Roman Forum gives one goose-bumps then Mycenae (and other archaeological sites) in Greece is a "gasm" of sorts. I probably never be strong enough to visit any of the Ziggurats in Iraq..till the pyramids wait.. and till I comprehend how to figure out IVC remains in my own country , nothing can compare to the depth and realization of the power of mankind, the way Greece has entrenched on me.

The history started pouring from Acropolis in Athens. Though it has been from antiquity, its glory gradually developed. The current standing structure of Parthenon was re-built in 500 BC by king Pericles under whose reign democracy, philosophy, science gained its peak. It’s interesting to note that Parthenon was built as a victory symbol / treasury first- converted to temple for Athena- converted to a church by Romans- converted to a mosque by Turkish and it’s still standing without any faith but of mankind. And here we are with Ayodhya!

There was once that gods used to walk the earth. So strong are the Greek myths and legends to prove that they were. So showed our day trips to Delphi and Mycenae. While Delphi is awe inspiring for the story of the oracle and the temple of Apollo! The reason that the ancient Greeks believed Delphi to be the centre of the world and the remains of the votive offerings to Apollo, makes the place alive.

Myceanae drove the highest admiration for the Greeks as its about 5000 years old and still standing. Story has it, that it was built by giants from Asia under the supervision of the son of Zeus, Persius (Percy Jackson anyone?). The granary, graveyard, temple, common house areas, palace area, admin areas are still comprehensible! The building blocks are mammoth and standing despite numerous wars and earthquakes.

Then we thought we had enough of history and set our foot to Santorini to have some quiet time on the cliff by the sugar cube white houses with a beautiful view of the volcanic islands on the sea. But little did we know that Santorini houses the oldest (apart from Crete) remains of the Minoan civilization.  Now Minoan civilisation is more than 7000 years old and the oldest in Europe, started by the legendary king Minos (another son of Zeus). Trade was a vital element and hence these islands had important bases. Akrotiri in Santorini (recently excavated) tells the story of livelihood of that period with detailed frescos on pottery ( showcasing fishing , looming as key activities) , good drainage and the key –  two storied houses with staircase , toilet , kitchen , storeroom as bifurcated rooms.

I was drunk in history and wished to visit Crete too to soak in the palace of king Minoa, which is still standing. But there’s only so much you can do to a three year old kid. [The story which scares him the most is of the story of king Minoa,  who used to force the king  Aegeus to send 14 young kids every year to the labyrinth of the minotaur, which was half bull and half man and was later killed by Theseus, son of Aegeus.]

And I think I should stop further em-bore-ment here. Greece was not only about visiting the sites and observing life to the legends. It was also about its amazing villages/towns - Napflio and Arachova in mainland Greece , which are silent speakers for its people , food , distinct architecture , olive oil , honey and their donkeys (ancient form of transport still used in some villages). Santorini’s old pristine white and blue housed villages and ancient cave houses – one shouldn't miss Emborio which doesn’t get much tourists like Oia , Fira but truly gives the feel of the Santorini theme and is one of the oldest there. I was lucky enough to enter a house as well to experience the living. 

Walking on the super narrow streets of Emborio is surreal. And so are the narrow streets of colourful Plaka in Athens at the slopes of Acropolis , the Agoras ( ancient main squares ) , the music on the street with Bouzouki and the great food – oh the food – a toast for the divine Souvlakis, Gyros, Moussakas, Kataifis, the simple Greek salad, the simple Koulori, the Greek coffee and wine…

And then the people. The Greeks are utterly butterly lovable, kind, family oriented, super chatty and the most important – highly resilient. They are extremely hard working but so laid back! Though everyone talks about the recession but there’s no impact that shows there has been a recent bad time. We have been making friends right from the first airport transfer who educated us about the recent Nazi political parties, to our last friend in Nafplio through whom we experienced more about  their lives today.

However the climax of the trip was the “Big Fat Greek Wedding” where we ate and danced and laughed and became part of the family. Hold your surprise. It was a paid show, but not for once the actors left the character and made us feel it was a paid theatre. We were invited, taken care of, pampered and fed and drank wine like anything. Nothing ever will beat that happiness!

So was our holiday. Education, fun, food and love packed. Am glad the mom of the three year old got a complement on the way “ You got a wonderful kid…we saw him at Akrotiri asking questions!” Am glad that we made so many friends whom we shall probably never meet again. Am glad we got so many blessings…Am glad we learnt so much and am glad that we saw heaven…there’s no word which describes the beauty when the sun set over the volcanic islands on the blue sea …the horizon blurs…is it the sea or the sky – to where is the last ship sailing to?