Civilisations Rise and Fall

What happens to the moments between memories?

Chaos reigns, Titans battle, Gods interfere, Heroes strive.

Walking the streets of Athens gave life to our imagination and animated the history of the ancient Greeks. Tributes to Zeus, Prometheus, Athena, Poseidon, Dionsyus to name a few kept us guessing 'which god is that? Zeus? no, Poseidon? Is he holding a lightning bolt or a trident??'

Wonderful tales reaching back to 500 BC. We loved exploring the museums, noticing the Egyptian influences from 1500 BC, the Hellenic creativity, the Byzantine change and their modern day challenges. It was hard not to recognise ancient Greek plots in popular current religious texts.

From Plato's school we delved into the Greek Philosphers' influence on the Romans, remarkable. So too Herod's construction in the city. Sadly, also the Nazi's occupation in the 1940s. We came away with greater empathy for the people of this area. The region has been torn between civilisations over thousands of years, many have come and gone through these streets.

Clear highlights were the Acropolis, every bit as impressive as the photos. An imposing hill and tributes to the old Gods. A surprise to see many wild tortoises in city parks and gardens. A surplus of Asian clothing retailers. Some fantastic, well maintained tourist walkways with trendy bars and cafes.
Around a corner or two though, were struggling homeless, rampant graffiti and blatant drug injecting. Evidence of the recent economic strife along with building construction put on hold for many years.

We felt safe, police were present, protests happened peacefully. European elections were in full swing, so too Eurovision.

After five days we bid farewell. Our bellies full of olives and a spare bag to go with us.

A bus ride West to Patras allowed us to appreciate the vast quantity of olive trees across the region. Our bus driver casually smoked, drove and spoke on his mobile phone for the entire two hours, impressing on us our location (like the olive trees weren't enough).

We don't write about some moments for they take place so frequently. Sitting in a seat, reading a story, a journey to a new destination. Heating a kettle, making of tea, brushing your teeth, laying in bed.
Walking down streets, eating some fruit, playing a game, folding your clothes.

Our memories and stories revolve around key moments. Landmarks, events, births, celebrations, sights and scenes, milestones and deaths. Moments that change us, influence our view, make us tell a story, record it to memory.

But what of the time between memories?
What if it isn't the memorable moments that define us?
It isn't the event, it isn't the scene, it isn't the sight, it isn't the birth and it isn't the death.
It is something between all of these.

Between the great stories of the Titans and the Gods. Between the chapters of Heroes and Legends.
It is not the preacher or the politician, it is not the news and it is not this.

But maybe there is something else taking place, hidden between moments, woven between memories that is showing us who we are.

It was not hard, while spending time in the Museums in Athens, to question the tenure of our own civilisation. To see so many empires rise and fall, from war to environment, then wonder how long ours will last.

Maybe we become more philosophical as we travel, but it is hard not to ponder when one has the time.

Our next moment will be to board a ferry to the island of Kefalonia and volunteer on another WWOOF farm experience. We are sure, like our other experiences, there will be moments of note and moments in between, both of which we strive to take with us.