Sunday was a very full day. We started it off right with a nutella-laden breakfast at the hotel, and then headed back up the mountains to the site of Delphi. Oh Delphi, what an interesting place. It has a very interesting history; the Greeks believed that it was the center of the entire world, it was one of the four original sites of the Panhellenic games, and people came from everywhere to ask the Oracle their questions. Because of the importance of the site, many interesting archaeological finds have been made there.
The interesting thing is that even though the French have been digging at Delphi for years and years now, and they still have no clue where the Oracle did her thing. Strange, huh? There are a ton of really interesting treasuries and dedications at the site, and the theater and stadium were really neat to see as well. We also met a cat whom we believed to be Apollo. He was laying in the sun outside the temple, so who else could he be?
It was kind of strange to actually see the site and realize that it's REALLY on a mountain. People must have been crazy/really wanted an Oracle in order to climb up that baby. It was a hike. Not to mention that it was HOT. Of course all of us left our water bottles in the van, too, so we were suffering pretty hard for a while. At the bottom of the mountain, in front of the museum was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen: a slushy stand. Best slushy I had ever tasted. Worth every penny of the ridiculously high 4 euro price. Every penny. Inside the museum were a number of very cool artifacts, including a huge sphinx, and the famous bronze statue of the charioteer. The museum was very nicely done, too.
After we had seen all there was to see, we headed to the little mountain village of Arachova for lunch and some shopping. Oh, and the taverna we ate at had out food delivered via tiny elevator. It was vey exciting. On our way back to Corinth, we stopped at a monastery called Hosios Loukas. We had to change in the parking lot in order to make ourselves monastery-friendly. It was a beautiful place; the inside of the church had tons of beautiful icons and stonework. Not to mention a dead saint or two...
I filled up my water bottle at this spring with a mix of the water from Delphi and the Monastery. That water had to have had some sort of magic...
After the monastery, we continued on our journey back to Loutra Elenis, and were all absolutely exhausted by the time we returned.
the gang at Delphi
temple to Apollo
The interesting thing is that even though the French have been digging at Delphi for years and years now, and they still have no clue where the Oracle did her thing. Strange, huh? There are a ton of really interesting treasuries and dedications at the site, and the theater and stadium were really neat to see as well. We also met a cat whom we believed to be Apollo. He was laying in the sun outside the temple, so who else could he be?
Apollo in cat form
ancient inscription reads "No drinking wine beyond this point"
theater at Delphi
It was kind of strange to actually see the site and realize that it's REALLY on a mountain. People must have been crazy/really wanted an Oracle in order to climb up that baby. It was a hike. Not to mention that it was HOT. Of course all of us left our water bottles in the van, too, so we were suffering pretty hard for a while. At the bottom of the mountain, in front of the museum was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen: a slushy stand. Best slushy I had ever tasted. Worth every penny of the ridiculously high 4 euro price. Every penny. Inside the museum were a number of very cool artifacts, including a huge sphinx, and the famous bronze statue of the charioteer. The museum was very nicely done, too.
the charioteer
Jon is not licensed...oops
After we had seen all there was to see, we headed to the little mountain village of Arachova for lunch and some shopping. Oh, and the taverna we ate at had out food delivered via tiny elevator. It was vey exciting. On our way back to Corinth, we stopped at a monastery called Hosios Loukas. We had to change in the parking lot in order to make ourselves monastery-friendly. It was a beautiful place; the inside of the church had tons of beautiful icons and stonework. Not to mention a dead saint or two...
inside the church
candle I lit in the church
I filled up my water bottle at this spring with a mix of the water from Delphi and the Monastery. That water had to have had some sort of magic...
spring at the monastery
After the monastery, we continued on our journey back to Loutra Elenis, and were all absolutely exhausted by the time we returned.
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