Blogs from Meteora, Thessaly, Greece, Europe - page 9

It was a bit of a shock, landing in a country where the only place I know any letters of the alphabet from is from math class! To my luck, however, many Greek people speak very good English and most of the signs are also written in the 'normal' alphabet. I spent 3 days in Greece, where I couch surfed with a very cool, un-greek greek, named Kostas. The highlights of Athens were the Acropolis, the Olympic Stadium (from the first modern-day Olympics), and the National Guards in their funky suits with their funky little dance when they perform the changing of the guards. After Athens, I took the ferry over to the island of Aegina. I stayed in the small village of Aegina marina, which is all but deserted this time of year. For one ... read more

We are leaving Greece. Our boat has departed. Leaving anywhere always makes me pensive, but Greece is different. I have learned so much, yet, there is so much more that I could know. Athens was wonderful. That last day was full of so much. We went to the Acropolis. Wow, a whole lot of stairs. Really the Parthenon is the main temple, and I have to admire all of the sciences, thoughts, etc… that go into it. However, I found that “The Old Temple” pulled to me more. The professors were lecturing how it was lost in the way of the Parthenon. Where the Parthenon is dedicated to Athena alone, the other collects the other gods together in the same building, sort of a hodgepodge of divine alters. The Parthenon is perfectly proportional and fits ... read more

Oh, Fr. Goering is so awesome. I have never known a priest like him. He tells the worst jokes, but you have to laugh cause, well he’s a priest and it is so shocking as to some of the things that come out of his mouth. Last night was pretty good. When we stopped to eat (calamari) we were able to go down to the water front. It was so clear. However, the water in Itea wasn’t so muh. Both were rock beaches, and not at all what I expected. The picture of white sand beaches and clear water can be called to mind. We went to church last night, but we had to have it at another hotel. Dr. Hatlie told us it was close by and like a 10 minute walk, ha, not ... read more

Mycanae After a huge Boat, Train, Bus, Cab, Wait, Bus mission we managed to make it to Mycanae. Mum Nearly had a fit at some women in Corinth for giving us the wrong travel directions. But we made it. After spending nearly 24hours trapped in travel mode it was quite nice to take a stroll from new Tourist Mycane up to the old ruins. Washed clean by the thunder storm that we'd sat drinking beer through, it was at first sight a rather odd location for one of the greatest and wealthiest citys of the Homeric Age (Mycanae for the uninitiated being the home of Agamemmon, Agamemmnon being the king in charge of taking everyone off to fight Troy. Tucked up against an imposing but not entirely battle secure hill, it would have been a stiking ... read more

Just a v. quick update!! Net cafe in Vahti (Samos Town), Samos. Spent two nights in Karlovasi (acttually got of ship one Port early!! but was good!)... Had a bit of a breakdown of enthusiasim and a 'what-are-we-actually doing anyway moment, and also a delightful walk up a hill, met two lovely old ladies bringing their 6 goats down the hill for the evening! and then a very erie dessent ourselves... being repeatedly followed by a fly, two butterfly/moth/bat/bird like creatures, all two the sound of wolf-like howls in the mountains!! Hour long bus trip here today... followed by several very sweaty, exhausting hours of looking for a place to stay (september seems to still be v busy in Samos!)... eventually did find somewhere and Ez bought his haggeling skills into full play... those particual indian ... read more