First, a photo I neglected to include yesterday. It seems wherever we go on this trip we see, at the edge of our sight, snow capped peaks. It’s a reminder that there are tall mountains in Greece, and that it’s winter here.
Now on to today. After breakfast we took the short trip across town and up the hill toward the famous monasteries of Meteora. These monasteries are perched atop limestone pinnacles and seem to be inaccessible to the mundane world.
If you look closely you can see the stairs cut into the rock face below the Monastery of the Holy Trinity.You may remember this view of Holy Trinity from the James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only.Roussanou Monastery from the roadAnother view of Roussanou MonasteryWe first visited the Varlaan Monastery. Grab a magnifying glass and you can see the cable (once a rope) that was used to haul people and supplies up to the monastery.They have since bridged a chasm and it is now able to climb stairs to get there.They have a nice “photo op” courtyard.Mark Smith and me being photo bombed by a snow capped mountainDebby Smith, Cheri Abbot, and Cheryl modeling their (mandatory) skirtsThe iconography was stunning.The art was classic Orthodox style
Unfortunately we weren’t allowed to take pictures inside the museum or church. Too bad, both were amazing and worth subjecting you to dozens of amazing photos.
I can, however, show you the rope net they used to use to haul people and supplies up from below.And this is the winch they used. Today they have a cable and electric winch that hauls a metal basket.This is the Monastery Of Great Meteoron. We didn’t visit it. It’s been too recently restored.the Monastery of St. NikolaosThe second monastery we visited was the Monastery of St. Stephen. This is a convent, one of two in the area (the other being Roussanou).Access to this monastery was across a simple bridge from the parking lot. Again, no photos were allowed in the museum or the church.
At both stops Michaela lectured extensively on Orthodox religion. By the time we were done with her talk at St. Stephan they were showing us the door. So we headed down to the town for lunch.
After lunch we boarded the bus for the 4 hour drive to Thessaloniki.
After several days in small towns it’s interesting to be in the middle of the second largest city in Greece. This is our last stop on the tour. We’ll fly out from here on Tuesday morning.
After getting settled into our hotel we wandered a bit in search of dinner and found a restaurant that was good enough that we’ll go back there tomorrow night.
Cheryl had Chicken with Orzo pasta that was outstanding.I had Risotto with Squid and it’s ink. Apparently it’s a thing here. I can see why. I need to find a source closer to Boise.
Then it was back to the hotel for reading, blogging, and such. Tomorrow we head out to Philipi to check out more Paul sites.
Till then, we sleep.
Cheers,
R
2 Comments
WOW! Those monastery photos are incredible!
Woah- that Iconography _IS_ stunning. The mountains are pretty fabulous too- and mom is rocking that skirt. thing.
Wonder if before the end of the trip you’d care to pontificate on how this trip (through college study abroad) has compared to your other trips- like Road Scholar?
WOW! Those monastery photos are incredible!
Woah- that Iconography _IS_ stunning. The mountains are pretty fabulous too- and mom is rocking that skirt. thing.
Wonder if before the end of the trip you’d care to pontificate on how this trip (through college study abroad) has compared to your other trips- like Road Scholar?