In class we've been talking about some pretty dramatic Apocalyptic literature. In every example the same elements are present. Angelic mediation, individual resurrection, the visible world versus the invisible world, the corruption of the visible world, binary categories, and the remaking of the world that only the righteous can inhabit.
In terms of visions, many boast of seeing through the eyes of God himself. I do not boast something so over the top; I have been seeing through different eyes, though. Sounds crazy right? When I first got here I was seeing things as an American. Now, however, I feel as though I'm seeing things as nothing more than a human being with the spirit of Greece inhabiting my soul. I see some of the same ruins and parts of history every day and every time I see them there is a new layer of understanding to go with it.
The Panathenaic Stadium, for example, looks different to me everyday. At first it was a sizable relic and now I swear it breaths. I can practically hear the roar of the crowd as another discus is thrown; the cheers are deafening. The stadium screams and begs to be looked at. It becomes more and more real to me the longer I look; it is no longer an artifact but a place of great events and a symbol of heritage.
I also got the feeling of an ancient presence when I found an old theatre (I believe it's the theatre of Dionysus). Laughter seems to emanate from an invisible crowd. I feel amused just looking at the place, wondering how fun it must have been to experience open air theatre.
I feel like I have been possessed by Greece itself; or, perhaps, it's the context of these places that has gotten to me. I feel like a time traveler. Looking into the face of legend and myth and history, sometimes I trick myself into thinking I'm really there in ancient Greece among the decorative marble and irritable gods. My "visions" have been putting me and my experiences here into context. I am fascinated thinking of what life must have been like for the people of ancient Greece; they are the first thing I think of when I see the crumbling columns and piles of marble.
Here's hoping I am able to keep this perspective with me when I head home in 20 days. It's truly been a blessing to see through these eyes.
-Christine
In terms of visions, many boast of seeing through the eyes of God himself. I do not boast something so over the top; I have been seeing through different eyes, though. Sounds crazy right? When I first got here I was seeing things as an American. Now, however, I feel as though I'm seeing things as nothing more than a human being with the spirit of Greece inhabiting my soul. I see some of the same ruins and parts of history every day and every time I see them there is a new layer of understanding to go with it.
The Panathenaic Stadium, for example, looks different to me everyday. At first it was a sizable relic and now I swear it breaths. I can practically hear the roar of the crowd as another discus is thrown; the cheers are deafening. The stadium screams and begs to be looked at. It becomes more and more real to me the longer I look; it is no longer an artifact but a place of great events and a symbol of heritage.
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| How can you *not* hear the roaring? |
I feel like I have been possessed by Greece itself; or, perhaps, it's the context of these places that has gotten to me. I feel like a time traveler. Looking into the face of legend and myth and history, sometimes I trick myself into thinking I'm really there in ancient Greece among the decorative marble and irritable gods. My "visions" have been putting me and my experiences here into context. I am fascinated thinking of what life must have been like for the people of ancient Greece; they are the first thing I think of when I see the crumbling columns and piles of marble.
Here's hoping I am able to keep this perspective with me when I head home in 20 days. It's truly been a blessing to see through these eyes.
-Christine
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