Today started off early with a cup of coffee from the shop around the corner with a group of friends. We had started going earlier in the trip, and now it has become a routine to go before we have to meet with the rest of the group. After that, we went to UNIC Athens to learn about venoms, poisons, and what they are made of, and cures for them. The second half of the lecture had a focus on peptides and about how they are researched, modified for different effects/improvements, and the benefits/downsides of a specific kind of peptides called short and ultra-short peptides. He ended the lecture by discussing how they can be used for antivenoms and the future applications they could have, such as self-repairing glass and medical uses. After that, we went to the Benaki museum, where we saw ancient Greek pottery, traditional Greek clothing, and Byzantine Christian icons, crosses, and ceremonial objects that reflected the importance of Eastern Orthodox Christianity in Greek history and culture. My favorite part was learning how the Ancient Greeks made pots and some relics all black to give the appearance of metal. After that, we took a cable car to the top of Mount Lykavittos, where we saw the church of St. George and a beautiful view of Athens!
Day 5 – From Corner Coffee to the Top of Athens
