I lived in Turkey with my family for 3 years in the 1980s after we had left Iran, and I distinctly remember my dad constantly begging us to take a trip to Greece. For some inexplicable reason, the whole family was against going anywhere else. Perhaps the unexpected move from Iran had left us in need of a home, perhaps we were too preoccupied at that difficult juncture in our lives to appreciate what Greece could offer anyway. To this day, I have wondered what it would have been like to see the Parthenon at the age of 12.

Now, many years later and after becoming a world travel addict, I am planning to visit Greece for the first time, and I am grateful that, among other things, the magnificence of Parthenon remains undiminished for me to see.

A dear friend loaned me this book for what turned out to be a fascinating read. It is a 2004 copyright edition, but the stories and essays of many sections first appeared in publication some years ago, so the perspectives into Greece (and Athens primarily) not only span across many authors, but also across many decades in the life of Greece. From the most popular singular attraction of all Athens – the Parthenon- to the Greek’s vehemence of the Turks for taking over their beloved Constantinople, from the the times of Byzantine empire to the Turks stealing the worshipped Hagia Sofia, from the Greek’s love of olive oil and good company to the gossip and games that fill the streets of Athens, from recipes for the best local dishes to the night life and escape zones of the island life, from the voice of tourists, frequent travelers, local residents of Greece, and the very Greek, you will read about it all in this well-written collection of travelers of Athens (and Aegean islands).

My all-time favorites in this book are essays accounting Greek history from the time of Byzantine empire to the Turkish invasion and the rebuilding of Athens. The Byzantine empire which ruled over Constantinople fell to Ottoman Turks on Tuesday, May 29,1453 – a reason to this day which all Greeks consider Tuesdays to be an unlucky day – for business or other important matters. The Turks invaded Constantinople and renamed it Istanbul years later. The most painful loss to this day for the Greeks remains the Hagia Sofia, a beloved Greek Orthodox church which was turned into a Mosque at the hands of Turks. My Dad tells me we went to visit the Blue Mosque (as the Turks call their now beloved Ayasofiya) while living in Istanbul, and a shame that I do not remember at all. The passage of time is brutal on our memories at times, especially as it must have been magnificent.

As one traveler puts it, “Even today, stripped of its gold and silver, and withs frescoes faded and begrimed, there is arguably no building in all the world whose interior conjures up such a sense of boundless wealth and mystical power.” (pg.160)

The Aegean islands are covered through some beautiful essays in as much detail as one could ask for. I selectively chose my way through some islands of interest, Santorini, Crete, Nisiros, and Rhodes among a few. I enjoyed reading two essays on Santorini , and learned about the 1450 volcano eruption where 2/3 of the island disappeared. The theory goes that Santorini was the legendary Atlantis, the richest and earliest civilization that was destroyed by volcano. Amazing. And perhaps there is some justice in the history of Greece when Mussolini spent a fortune of Italy’s tax money rebuilding the island of Rhodes – which is promptly given back to Greece in 1947.

I am a fervent believer of getting to know a country and its history before a visit. This is not so you know the top attractions and the best local place to avoid tourist traps. It is to do due diligence on getting to know a country beyond its facade, to learn of the past it has endured, of the people and the traditions it has born, and to identify with it on some level – as we are all human beings in a very small planet – before you set eyes on the place.

And if that place is Athens, if you remember one thing, remember to “Never trust your first impressions of Athens” – Blaring radio, chaotic traffic, compressed spaces and loud people. Dig deeper and you will find the real Athens to love and admire and where you will come to see the importance of the permanent, rather than the fleeting.

Now to my readers:
Have you traveled to Greece yet? Do you find that Kerper’s perspective on Athens resonates with you? Love to hear your thoughts on the ancient city of Athens….and the surrounding cities and islands in the beautiful Greece.

About the Author: Farnoosh is a new columnist at Elephant Journal. She created her own blog, Prolific Living, with a vision of embodying the essence of vitality by living a prolific life by conscious eating, voracious reading, diligent yoga, constant traveling, insatiable appreciation of the arts and by imparting that experience to its beloved readers, you!

This post originally appeared here in full length. Enjoy!