Olympia

This was the one site in Greece I was really looking forward to. I mean you can't get more historic then the site of the first Olympics. The kids were excited too as we had just read The Hour of the Olympics in the Magic Treehouse Series. Though I think they were more excited about being in a place where Jack and Annie were then the actually site of the Olympic Games.

The landscape was just as I imagined it, in a beautiful field surrounded by olive trees. The actual site however was far more expansive than I had envisioned. Unfortunately, due to a series of earthquakes and destruction at the hands of barbarians and Theodosius I (who was one of the first Christian Emperors and considered the Games Pagan worship) most of the site is in complete ruins.

However, there are a couple of pillars standing here and there to at least let you imagine how immense the buildings and temples were.



The Temple of Philippeion


The Temple of Zeus - the centerpiece of the entire site


Entrance to the stadium


How often are you at a site of such significance where children running is not only allowed but should be done as a part of the experience. We burned off a lot of energy being Olympic athletes. (Even I did a little running, though Quinn did edge me out at the end of our race by a nose)

After your first Olympics, of course, there is much celebration so off we went to eat some Greek mezedes and do a little Zorba dancing. Take note that of course my son latched on to the hottest dancer there. Such a ladies man.