In September of 1970, at the age of 19, I traveled to Athens, Greece to spend a year studying archeology, Greek history, ancient Greek theater, and modern Greek language. At the time, Greece was ruled by an oppressive junta that had taken power in 1967 supposedly to quell demonstrations and riots of leftist radicals. What followed were seven years of limited freedom that led to a society full of fear and oppression. Political opponents mysteriously disappeared, were murdered, or banished to remote islands in the Aegean Sea. Torture during imprisonment was common. Due to the repressive government, I had been warned not to go to Greece, but I went anyway. It turned out to be an extraordinary year full of insight into Greek history and culture, many new friendships, and plenty of adventure.