Tri-Trampoline Jungle Gym & Panathenaic Stadium

Tri-Trampoline Jungle Gym:

Yesterday started out rather early, 8 A.M. to be exact, because Aya and I decided to take a morning trip downtown to see the Panathenaic Stadium. Since neither Aya or I bothered to figure out where exactly the Panathenaic Stadium was we ended up asking a couple of Wisconsin tourist how to get there. They sent us a rather round about way and Aya and I stumbled upon yet another playground. We had to go in because there was this huge contraption that was partly a tri-trampoline and partly a jungle gym made out of rope. We had fun bouncing each other and running between the trampolines and ropes playing tag. I am going to miss the creatively different playgrounds of Greece. I think Greek playgrounds are completely unsafe for children, but perfect for a couple of teenagers looking for an excuse to act like kids again.

Picture of Me on the Tri- Trampoline Jungle Gym:

 

 

Panathenaic Stadium( Luv2Run):

 

Running a lap around the Olympic track was number one on my bucket list of things I wanted to do in Athens. Since I ran cross-country and track in high school running on the most elitist track in the world gave me a certain rush and thrill that I believe only a passionate runner can experience. Aya and I listened to the audio tour, which told us about the history of the stadium and its unique features. Second to running the track my favorite part was exploring the tunnel. It was so cool because in the Roman period the tunnel was used as an entrance for the gladiators. In the tunnel Aya and I explored the room holding all the previous Olympic torches. I took a picture with the Beijing torch because, as I told Aya, my heritage demanded it. 

 

Picture of Me and the Beijing Torch:

 

 

 

After running down the entrance the Olympic athletes used Aya and I jogged down the first half of the Olympic track and had a 185m race down the second half of the track.

 

Picture of Me Running:

 

Picture of the Winner's Podium:

Running in Greece

Running in Greece:

 

In my mind running in Greece would be like running through a land of blue domed roof bliss. The reality though is that I am living in Athens, not Santorini, and that the air always smell of either garbage or restaurant fumes. It is also hazardous to run too fast because cars have the ride away not pedestrians! This makes it impossible to get a good stride because the streets in my neighborhood intersect every few feet. Even the people here hinder running because when I am running and approaching someone they continue to walk in the middle of the sidewalk so I cannot pass. Last night Amelia and I ran a couple laps around the track near our neighborhood, but it is unsafe to run too fast on it because it is made of gravel with a little bit of sand and is easy to slip on.

 

Mount. Hymettus:

 

One of the places I have found that will make a good running path is the road leading up to Mount. Hymettus. It is nice because it is secluded and there are not a lot of cars, but it is also secluded and a mountain so I am not comfortable running up it alone.

 

Me in tree pose after hiking up Mount. Hymettus:

 

 

Where the Athenians Run:

 

The other day I went to the National Garden of Athens with my friend Aya and we saw several Athenians running and I desperately wanted to join them. The National Garden is perfectly fairytalish in ways that Taylor Swift sings about in her songs with vines hanging everywhere and statues quietly keeping watch. The National Garden is behind the Parliament building in Syntagma, Athens. It is perfect for running because there are miles of windy paths that are shaded and it is not crowded so I could actually run fast enough to achieve a decent pace.

 

Me in the National Garden:

 

 

 

Running Bucket List:

1. Run a lap in the Olympic Stadium
2. Run in the National Garden of Athens
3. Run up part of Mount. Hymettus