BSA Course Day 13 - Studying, shopping & sunset at the Acropolis

Weather: 34 degrees & sunny

Step count: 22041

Our last day in Athens arrived all too quickly, and I had a lot to get through even though it was a free day. Fortified with another latte and pastry, I headed down to the library to finish work on the presentation that my roommate and I had to give on site at Messene.

The group was given a list of interesting topics on day one, linked to the sites we would be visiting on the Peloponnese. Then we each had to find a partner and sign up for our choice of question to research and present on site, which was a pretty daunting thought after the amazing lectures we've had so far.

The BSA library is such a calm and scholarly space, my favourite place in the hostel, and we spent an enjoyable few hours feeling like we truly belonged there, constructing our arguments and navigating our way around the bookshelves.

Work done, my wish-list for the afternoon was to see the south slopes of the Acropolis which we had missed due to the rain, and to see the Parthenon at night. I met up with a small group of course-mates and we planned our last walk into Athens to arrive at Syntagma Square in time for the changing of the guard.

I made sure my phone was fully charged to get some pictures of the Evzones - which I later found out means 'well dressed' - in action. They were wearing different uniform this time, as the intricate costume we saw the week before was the ceremonial version used for Sundays and special occasions. I'm so glad I got to see both.

After an obligatory stop for coffee and cake, we explored the south slopes of the Acropolis along with lots of friendly cats and a very disinterested tortoise.

There was a concert rehearsal taking place at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, so we climbed up to the highest point to hear the acoustics.

We hadn't intended to go back onto the Acropolis, but as we were almost there and it was our last evening in Athens, we joined the visitors making their way up through the propylaea. The evening sun was still warm as it slipped lower in the sky, and I have no idea how long we spent there just wandering, marvelling at the buildings like tourists and still giddy with the excitement of all that we'd done and seen and learned since we were last there just two weeks ago.

We leaned against the warmth of the walls, taking in the sights of the city spread out below us and the view back towards Mount Lykavettos, promising ourselves that we'd return again soon.

The sun was sinking over the Pnyx and the Areopagus as we descended, the perfect reminder of the history of this incredible city.

After a stroll through the Plaka, taking in the atmosphere and shopping for some final souvenirs, we treated ourselves to a meal with a view.

And I got to see the Parthenon lit up in all her glory at last.