Day 5: Rhodes, Greece

Day 5: Rhodes, Greece
The island of Rhodes is positioned in the middle of the busiest trading routes of the Mediterranean. Because of its valuable location its history is rich but extremely complicated. Throughout its history Goths, Romans, Byzantines, Cursaders, Turks, and Italians all controlled the island at one point or another over the centuries. After World War II Greece took control of the island from the Germans.
If you were on a ship entering the harbor of Mandraki nearly 2,300 years ago, you would enter the harbor underneath the Colossus of Rhodes. It took 12 years to complete the massive 30-meter tall statue of the Greek God Helios, which is about the same size as the Statue of Liberty. Although the statue eventually collapsed from an earthquake in 227 BC, it was famed throughout the Mediterranean for nearly 56 years and eventually became one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World.
As we entered the bay the 13th century city wall was magnificent. As we began touring the island we were fascinated at the remains each empire had left behind. The most evident was the remains of the Knights Templar from 1312. The Knights built magnificent castles all over the island, one of which was in the ancient city of Lindos. A small tourist town settled at the base of an acropolis of the biggest castle on the island. The white walled city stands alone next a bright blue bay.
From the bottom of the hill is a 10-minute donkey ride that leads to the entrance of the enormous castle. The architecture of the castle made it evident that many empires had made their own additions.
After returning to the port city of Mandraki we spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the ancient city. After all these centuries the city walls still surround a vibrant yet ancient city. After entering the walls of the ancient city you can still find many of the same buildings built by the Knights Templar more than 700 years ago.
I met amazing people that only enhanced my experience of Greece. Just as in Athens they were friendly and welcoming, but they still feared the future and what come next for Greece. Although they were worried it was hard to see, they showed great enthusiasm everywhere we went.
Oh and the original Gyro from Greece will be a memory I will cherish fondly for years to come. It isn’t messy and awkward to eat like here it the states, it is a classy meal with a much better taste.