Welcome back! This week’s photo taken in front of the Hellenic Parliament in Athens, Greece in August 2011. I shot “Duty” with a Nikon D80, 400 ISO, aperture of f/6.3, and shutter speed of 1/2500.
Athens in August can be described in one simple word: hot. With little shade and temperatures rising to the mid to upper 90s, Athens at this time of year is not for the faint of heart. When I visited, I was on about an 10-12 bottles of water a day regimen, and even still found myself completely exhausted from the burning sun. So, imagine my surprise when I came upon the Hellenic Parliament and saw these guards wearing uniforms that appeared to be capable of melting a human being right there on the spot.
Parliament guards often seem to be the butt of many jokes. Their serious demeanor and inability to speak makes tourists far and wide flock to parliament buildings around the world to attempt to force the guards to crack a smile. I’ve witnessed it in London, Prague, Stockholm, and Rome to name a few. The guards at the Hellenic Parliament, however, were different. I don’t know if it was a feeling of sympathy for what obviously looked like a very hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable uniform, or if it was the look of devotion on their faces, or if it was the massive guns they were carrying, but when I visited, people let the guards tend to their duty.
I can’t imagine the dedication that must be required to devote your life to protecting others. Despite the heat, the two guards were obviously steadfast in their posts. With looks of conviction and determination, they marched towards one another, met in the middle, and then turned in an about face. When I was there, I found myself mesmerized by the choreography of their march and their unwavering devotion to their call of duty. I highly recommend the city of Athens, even in the scorching summer months. Just be sure to remember your sunglasses and sunscreen, and allot a hefty allowance for water and ice cream!
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