Alumni celebrate with the Lion of Amphipolis on the School’s 130th anniversary trip to Macedonia and Thrace.
Following the School’s celebration of its 130th anniversary in June, a group of intrepid alumni/ae toasted the famous Lion of Amphipolis on his 75th birthday. In June of 1936 Oscar Broneer had re-erected this ‘emblem of valor’ overlooking the River Strymon and we honored his deed (even if the colossal statue is slightly askew). This first-ever alumni/ae trip was an unqualified success due in large part to our indefatigable leader, Mellon Professor Margie Miles. We embarked at the Gennadeion gate with our faithful charioteer Spiros, and followed Margie as she leapt on and off the bus with the energy of a youthful apobates and enthused over every clamp and dowel. From the plain of Thermopylae to the shining sea of Thasos we struggled to keep up with her, but in contrast to some School trips we actually had time to swim, indulge our appetites for Macedonian cuisine, and sleep until 7:30 a.m. in top-notch hotels.
For many of us, the promise of re-experiencing some of the features of School trips, such as site reports and lively discussions, was a major draw. And, in due course, we were all reminded of many other trip hallmarks: treacherous hikes, prickly underbrush, sprained ankles, and snoozing on the bus. But what struck many of us was how new technology can enhance travel in Greece. With GPS one can no longer get lost in the thorny hillsides, and the new Egnatia Odos speeds one over vast distances — although you can still get thwarted by a herd of goats. While past generations of students have searched in vain for Xerxes’ canal across the Mount Athos Peninsula, we recognized it in an instant using Google Earth. The use of color handouts seemed quite innovative to some of us, but other (younger) alums dispensed with paper altogether and showed plans and elevations on their iPads.
Our diversity of age, experience and nationality made for animated and convivial camaraderie. In addition to reports on archaeological topics, we enjoyed authoritative expositions of Macedonian wines and bougatsa, followed by actual tastings. We returned to Athens happy, well fed, and sunburned. When the next alumni/ae trip is announced we’ll be the first to sign up!
— Samantha Martin-McAuliffe and Jenifer Neils
Margie Miles led the trip with participants Jessica Amelar, Philip and Noelle Auerbach, Carol King, Samantha Martin and Donal McAuliffe, Mark Munn, Mary Lou Zimmerman Munn and Corinna Munn, Jenifer Neils, Jane Otte, Susan Pearl, Nick Popielski and Dawn Smith-Popielski, Ingrid Rowland, Rebecca and Dale Sinos, and Gretchen Umholtz.
