2013
Greece Turkey Macedonia
Tour
Journal
September 24, 2013 Tuesday
Meteora, Delphi
September 25, 2013 Wednesday Delphi Museum, Athens
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September 26, 2013 Thursday Athens
September 27, 2013 Nophlion
September 24, 2013 Tuesday
Meteora, Delphi
Makrigilou
behind us, we started driving along the Olympus Mountain. It was clear
and we could see the "thrown" of Zeus. I thought of the Olympus
mountains in Turkey. I wondered how did Zeus preferred this mountain to
the others where more inferior gods enjoyed the grandeur.
Four hour ride brought us to
Meteora. It was believed that these huge rocks were once under the
water, therefore there were no reference made to them the region
in the ancient times. The first thing we have noticed was a cable car
hanging in the air. The masons were not going through the hassle of the
monks did for the past 500 years to build/restore the monasteries which
looked like eagle nests sitting on the huge boulders.
The first monastery we had
visited was jammed with tourists. We could only see what we wanted to
see over the shoulders of zillion other people. It was noisy and hot.
But in spite of that the quality of the frescoes was so amazing that it
was worth the time we spent there waiting. the second monastery was a
nunnery.
We walked down the steps in a pleasant forest, then climbed the stairs. Hanging in the corner was the ladder that the nuns once used to get in to the building. thinking of the nuns climbing on the ladder was not easy picture to imagine.
One elder nun made sure that those who were wearing pants were properly wrapped, but she did not care the see through outfits of the Russians. Onenun was busy painting the pebbles. We were not allowed to take any more pictures. The nuns who took care of the church neatly and devoted their lives to God, were not allowed to go behind the iconastasis.
Leonides,
the hero of the Persian War was honored with a huge monument. Just
before sun set we arrived in Delphi.
The free time before dinner was much appreciated by every one. Carol and
Cindy has been in every jewelry shop in the town.
September 25, 2013 Wednesday Delphi
The difficult
times for Greece was obvious in every corner of the city. when I was
looking out and enjoying the fabulous view.
I noticed the graffiti on the stone by this falling apart stable. The
skulls and swastikas were painted every where. Later when we went to the
museum we saw the posters announcing the coming up staff reduction that
Ministry of culture was planning.
The Greek people are going through very difficult days!
Athens , the Plaka
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September 26, 2013 Thursday Athens
September 27, 2013 Nophlion