Nafplion, Sunday

Friday, our itinerary took us away from the city of Athens towards the Pelopennese. During the bus trip through Athens, I was amazed at how much influence America has had over here. Not unlike any typical city in the states, there is either a Subway, Starbucks or McDonalds within each mile radius. We even saw a Pizza Hut.

Leaving town was refreshing, however, as we ventured through the gorgeous Greek countryside. At the time, I had Simon & Garfunkel playing on the iPod, which created a zen-like feeling within—quite relaxing! I imagined speeding along the same country roads in an MG Midget towards my own Greek villa. Someday, for sure!

En route to Nafplion, we made a stop at the ancient theatre of Epidaurus. The Greeks clearly saw the value in theatre, and I, for one, am glad... as someone who's *almost* obsessed with theatre myself. The Greeks saw theatre as cathartic, as a way to purge emotions. Read any Greek tragedy, and the extreme lows will trigger an emotional response in anyone!

Ah! If only there were some way to see one performed, complete with the masks, the aura. Or, perhaps performing onstage, in front of 10,000 people who hear me, un-miked, as clear as if they were sitting and talking with me one on one.

And, how many butts sat in the same theatre seat as I? Thousands? Tens of thousands?

The theatre was truly amazing... and up to this point is the highlight of the trip! I have no roots in drama, yet it seemed like some sort of Mecca for me... perhaps confirming my hidden desires to take the stage, and act in front of an audience, to get over myself and shed the inhibitions holding me back.

Nafplion is quite possibly the most beautiful place in the world. This picturesque city is filled with narrow streets of stairs, connecting fabulous villas with a port on one side, a beach on the other and a Venetian fortress overlooking it all.

I must admit that the investor inside is enthralled with these abandoned and condemned resorts overlooking the beach. What potential money makers! What could have happened for these to close? Management would have to be extraordinarily bad with a LOT of money skimming off the top to make a resort here go under. Definitely money just sitting... waiting for the right investor.

I would love to be that investor. Imagine, having a valid reason to visit Nafplion once or twice every year, just to check in on my investments... and perhaps to make new ones.

Friday evening, instead of taking the afternoon siesta (to which I've become accustomed to), I ventured down to the beach with three others. For my first swim in the salt water, I had a lot of fun. The beach was a bit rocky, but the stones were smooth enough so walking on them wasn't terribly unpleasant. Perhaps it is finally time to relearn how to swim.

Saturday included a visit to Agammemnon's old stomping grounds, Mycenae. More ruins. At least there are no restoration efforts in effect here. My feelings about the ruins here are terribly conflicted. On one hand, I'm not impressed with the restoration efforts going on at the parthenon/Acropolis, but these sites are so "ruined" that it is sometimes difficult to visualize how things must have looked.

Flickr: Epidaurus | Nafplion | Greece