A fitting spot to begin my study abroad where I will look into the relationship between oleotourism and the preservation of ancient olive trees. Athena’s olive tree. Athens is named after the fierce goddess. She and Poseidon competed for the title of the cities’ protector and namesake. Poseidon stood atop the Acropolis, spit the ground open with a stab of his trident and a salt water spring flowed from the earth, promising the people the bounty of the sea. The people were moved but they already had access to the sea all around them. Athena took her turn, produced a seed and planted it in the ground atop the Acropolis. An olive tree grew as a promise to the people of the city that she wold provide food, medicine, oil, fuel and wealth for centuries to come. The people felt cared for and Athena became protector and namesake of Athens.
Atop the Acropolis a temple was constructed to celebrate this achievement and was built around the olive tree. The structure and the tree were burned during the Persian wars. This tree that I stand beside was planted as a reminder of the story and the tree.
I decided to begin my journey in this magical place next to this beautiful tree.