Olympia to Delphi (July 17)

We got up at 7:15 this morning, packed up, ate breakfast, and took the bus down the road to Olympia. Unlike any other site, except the Parthenon, it was absolutely crowded with people! Tour guides everywhere were leading their groups around. It wasn’t quite as exciting as I had anticipated when I saw the clay model at the museum yesterday. It was cool to know that I was standing on the grounds of the original Olympic games, but there was very little left of the ruins. Again, lots of rocks. The temple of Zeus sits at the center of the site, and a hotel for important people nearby; also a church and training area for the athletes.

The coolest by far was the 190 meter long stadium, where many events were held. Just outside the stadium are fourteen inscribed bases which used to hold statues. Demetra said that the statues were of those who cheated during the Olympic Games, because the punishment was as severe as winning was glorious. It was supposed to make future competitors think twice about doing the same.

About eight of us raced on the track, and as an athlete it was pretty cool. I came in second for the girls and fifth overall. A little disappointing, but my running has dropped off significantly since arriving here, and I didn’t want to pull a muscle or anything. I so wish I had brought my running gear because some of these areas would be great to run.

The running concluded our Olympia visit and we boarded the bus once again to head to Delphi. No one had really informed us of the day’s plan so I was surprised to find out that it was a four hour ride. They said we’d drive two hours, stop for lunch and a swim, and then finish up the hour-and-a-half. So we all slept the first two hours and woke up to Demetra’s voice telling us about where we were – Patra, the third largest city in Greece. We drove over the most famous bridge in Greece, which was just build around the 2004 Olympics, and looks identical to the one in Boston. We stopped there to change into swimsuits and were under the impression we’d be eating and swimming too. Nope. We got back on the bus and drove all along the coast, arriving in Itea (the town below Delphi) at 3 PM. We were all pretty unhappy because we were starving as we hadn’t eaten since 7:30 this morning and had been told otherwise about the plans.

But we found a taverna with tables on the Itea beach, maybe four feet from the water – the Gulf of Corinth. We were all trying to patiently wait for the menus, but they never came. The owner walked out with a huge display of fish (with heads) and explained each of them and the prices. Yessss, finally fresh fish! Three of us split a Greek salad, swordfish, and calamari and shrimp. It was all fantastic – probably the best meal so far. The calamari was indescribable and the best I’ve ever had. It was fried in olive oil, so very light and fresh; it just melted in your mouth. Can’t wait to have more of that.

Before we even got the check, we decided to take a dip in the water. It was very refreshing, but we only got to swim for 20 minutes or so before having to go pay the bill. The hotel was only a 20 minute drive up the mountain to Delphi and it is definitely nicer than last night’s. Sarah and I showered and now are lying in our beds, pushed right next to each other, just hanging out. We have a lecture with Niki at 7 PM on the healthcare system here, and I’m pretty curious to hear about it …

Niki’s lecture was very interesting and now I know a lot about the Greek healthcare system, as well as the concept of free national healthcare in general. Basically, once a Greek citizen starts contributing to social security by working, they’re given free healthcare. If they become unemployed, like Niki, it is still good for two years. Sounds good on paper – free medical treatment for all. But … the lines to get in are ridiculously long and even with an appointment, it can take hours. As a result, many people pay the doctors “under the table” to ensure better and quicker care. The doctors already make 2,000 euro/month, but with the additional money, are extremely wealthy. Most of them work for the state to make that monthly money, but keep private practices on the side to make even more, which is actually illegal. Apparently Greece has one of the best systems in Europe, but it sounds like it still needs a lot of work.

The lecture was only about an hour and then we had dinner. This was probably my least favorite of the “Amalia” buffets overall, but the potatoes and pasta were still great. We hung out in one of the rooms for a bit, but decided to walk into town which is a block away. We found a bar called Agora, which was completely empty even though it’s a Friday night. They sat us outside on a big deck overlooking the whole mountain and gulf. We went all out and ordered some exotic drinks; I had a pina colada – which was nothing like the ones at home. It wasn’t blended, just over ice, and pretty strong but tasty. After one drink, four of us came back to the hotel as we have a bright and early 6:45 AM wake up call. I sure am tired of getting up so early and not getting enough sleep – the bus rides don’t quite cut it.

So on that note, it’s off to bed. Hopefully I’ll get to post these soon; I’m tired of writing to myself!