Akrotiri

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This afternoon I took the bus to Akrotiri to see the archeological site of town that was destroyed by volcanic explosion nearly 4,000 years ago, but survived enough to be dug up now. I took photos of the landscape so you can see the height of the ash and pyroclastic fallout from that explosion. Lucky for us, there was a water way that, over time, eroded and exposed this town.

I'm going to upload the pictures and put notes on just a few of them for now. I'm tired but happy. I've covered every site on my list. Perhaps the biggest thrill was walking amongst the building of this archeological dig. I sat on a bench and just breathed it all in. And I got away with touching a few walls. *chuckling outloud* I did stop to ask a guard when they continue with the dig (February) and if they take volunteers. At first he said 'yes' but when I said I wanted to do this he explained that only university people from many countries can be part of the dig. I took photo of display that identifies the key university of Athens. When I am home I am going to reach out and see if there are any universities that want free labour for a few weeks.

I think tomorrow I'll hang out on the beach, so this might be last blog for a few days. If I get bored, I'll grab a bus to Fira and upload latest pics. Still no comments from people back home....

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Photos

Nearly 4,000 years later
These pithois can be viewed again!

South end of island
seems quieter with better housing and less frantic tourist places.

Drop off
Several of us asked grumpy bus driver 'where is archeological site?'. There is no sign at this final bus stop. He waved his hands and said it was here. One tourist looked it up and told the rest of us it was just up the hill. The government should invest in more signs here, or pass out valium to tired bus drivers. *smile*

Amazing!
You walk along paths around and through the town's ruins.

time
People had time to move out of the town, according to an English speaking tour guide. (as I walked slowly by that group) There was three months from the first seismic activity until the distructive explosion. There would have been continual quakes.

casts of funiture
I remember reading that beds were found in the street, as people were moving their stuff out. Poor people who were three months too slow; they would be the few to perish.

Murals
are put in the places where they would have been on the walls in the buildings

Cool site
Yes, I am here.

Triangular square
I walked down and sat in this unique town centre. Amazing!

Comments

[Mike Isenor]

What a surprise!
Imagine my surprise at getting an email your blog was active: Theresa is on the move! Lynne and I are reading them from our flat in Aberdeen. We are making careful notes. Greece is on The List! Hugs and safe travels!

[Joanne]

Looks like you are having fun and getting to all the places on your list. This blog format is not at all user friendly and it is a big chore trying to look at the photos in the way they format here. Lily and Michel are out planting trees on your field, which they tell me is considerably overgrown from the last time I was there. The road is impassable due to the beaver dams. Jean and Agathe are cleaning your house and car and tidying up the yard, you really lucked out having them in. Jean is working for Michel to earn some money for their PEI trip next week. I had Agathe out here yesterday to see the goat kidding, and false labour. I am beginning to doubt she is even bred. We are having lobster today, it is very windy, but all the Indian plums are in bloom and it is green and lush. Bye for now

[TeresaTraveler]

no gmail
When I return to Vienna I have to fix ipad or buy a device for rest of trip. After that, I will contact you or Lily to go to my house at a certain time so you can answer phone from Google and transmit the code to me so I can get into my bloody emails. Stay tuned.

[Lily]

Trying again
Seems like none of my comments have posted. Not sure why they're not posting. But just a quick update everything is good here. Me and dad planted 550 trees yesterday and are planting more today. Where are you headed next on your trip?

[TeresaTraveler]

Got this one
And I got iPad fixed