Each semester, Eleni takes her Greek Environment class on a field trip. Since the classes are so small, she invited the Global EcoPolitics to tag along. The trip was an hour/hour and a half hike up the Profitis Ilias, a large mountain on the island. The hike was brutal, especially since I'm not exactly known for either my athleticism or my water drinking abilities, but the view was spectacular:
Plus, we got to see goats! Near the top, we came to a clearing with a tiny monastery. The only way to reach it is to climb up (or down), so the monastery isn't particularly active, but it's definitely a great picnic spot.
The monastery was a mere 10 minute walk from the top of the mountain, where we came to the house built for the staff of what was going to be Mussolini's summer home after he won World War II. It was my second time being here and the building was equally beautiful. No free yogurt and walnuts this time, though! The downside of not traveling with Elias...
The main difference between this trip up the Prof. Ilias and the last (aside from mode of transportation: hike v. car) was that this time, we actually made it to Mussolini's actual summer house. It was a short walk from the staff house and pretty incredible...or at least it would have been if it had been maintained better. Instead, the house has been allowed to fall into ruin. All the windows are shattered, the walls are covered in graffiti, and the ceilings look like they are about to cave in. Walking around the abandoned building is definitely a safety hazard (never be allowed in the States!), and a spooky one at that. Still very cool, though.
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