First Impressions: A Masterpiece Under Construction

Finally, I made it to the top, and there it was: the Parthenon, in all its ancient glory… surrounded by scaffolding. Turns out, even structures that have survived for thousands of years occasionally need a bit of maintenance. It was like meeting a celebrity and realizing they’re shorter in person. Still, there’s something undeniably awe inspiring about standing in the shadow of a building that’s older than Christianity.

The columns are massive, so massive that it’s hard to believe they were built without the help of cranes or 3D printers. The detail is astonishing, even after centuries of wear and tear. And the views? Absolutely breathtaking. From the top of the Acropolis, you can see the sprawling city of Athens, stretching out to meet the sea. It’s the kind of view that makes you forget how much your legs hurt. Almost.

The Crowd: A Comedy of Errors

One of the best (and worst) parts of visiting a famous landmark is the people watching. At the Parthenon, you get a little bit of everything: the Instagram influencers striking dramatic poses, the history buffs reciting facts to anyone who will listen, and the kids running around like they’re at a playground. It’s a chaotic but oddly entertaining mix.

At one point, a group of tourists attempted to take a group photo with a selfie stick. The stick broke mid-pose, sending their phone tumbling to the ground. The collective gasp that followed was louder than any historical tidbit the guide shared. Thankfully, the phone survived, and the group continued their quest for the perfect shot, undeterred.

Another highlight was the guy who tried to climb onto one of the ancient stones for a better photo, only to be immediately scolded by a security guard. Watching him awkwardly climb down while pretending he hadn’t heard the guard was pure comedy gold. Honestly, the people watching alone made the visit worthwhile.

Fun Facts I Actually Remembered

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the history of the Parthenon—mostly because I don’t want to forget the three interesting things I actually retained from the tour. First, the Parthenon was originally a temple dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war. Talk about a multitasker. Second, the building has survived wars, earthquakes, and the occasional clueless tourist, which is a testament to Greek engineering. Third, the slight curve in the columns? That’s deliberate. It creates the illusion of straight lines, making the Parthenon look even more perfect than it already is.

Oh, and apparently, the Parthenon was once a church, then a mosque, then an ammunition depot. If that’s not a résumé, I don’t know what is.

Post-Parthenon Reflections: The Gift Shop Hustle

After spending a solid hour exploring the ruins (and dodging selfie sticks), I decided to make my way back down the hill. Easier said than done, thanks to the combination of slippery stones and a stampede of tourists all trying to leave at once. I’m not saying it was like escaping a Black Friday sale, but it wasn’t not like that.

At the bottom, I passed the inevitable gift shop. It was filled with miniature Parthenon replicas, Greek key-patterned everything, and an alarming number of fridge magnets. I resisted the urge to buy anything, mostly because I didn’t want to carry it, but I did stop to admire a particularly tacky t-shirt that read, “I climbed the Acropolis, and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.” Tempting.

Aaron Mouland

Quit drinking on 23 July 2021 after a two-day bender and swapped bars for border crossings and 12-step meetings. Three sober years, 36 countries, 113 travellers (totally dry), fuelled by street food, jelly babies, and a broken Google Maps app. Wandersober is my journal, my SEO lab, and my mission. Featured in GQ, Mirror, Evening Standard, MarketWatch, and more.

Read my story