Greek trip, June 16
Got an early start today with a sunrise service of morning prayers with Father Houk and the group, followed by breakfast. I have been eating Greek yogurt every day, and the plain variety,nwith added fruit and honey, is incredible. After a good breakfast, large luggage had been loaded by hotel staff and we were ready to board our bus. We had about a four-hour drive ahead of us, but first we stopped at the Temple of Athena and it attendant Treasury, below the oracle complex we had visited yesterday. Those iconic columns topped by a crossbeam are always noted in photographs as Delphi, though these remains are but the lead-in to the oracle's precinct up and diagonally across from it. Brilliant site in its own right, and the mountains and Gulf of Corinth in the early morning light were extraordinary and unforgettable.
We continued on to Trikala and had a picnic lunch at a taverna on the Portaikos River. Eleni had gotten cheese of the area, fresh bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh cherries, local white wine, and cold meatballs that tasted so good. For dessert, chocolate covered almonds. Afterwards we toured a hidden gem of central Greece, the Byzantine Church of Porta Panagia. Much of the church was completed in 1283. The Turks, in one of their skirmishes in the area, destroyed the monastery cells that had been situated around it. However, the church remained more or less intact. The highlights of the interior are a pair of mosaic icons depicting Joseph and Mary with Jesus, both showing western influence, and a marble iconostasis which shows Christ on the left side of the Virgin, which is unusual in Greek Orthodox iconography.
From the church we toured an icon workshop and watched three iconmakers, including a Greek Orthodox priest, paint icons. We were taken through the various processes of icon making, and then were taken to a gallery of finished works, in the middle of the workroom. Several of us, including myself, bought icons, mine of St. John the Baptist, depicted with beautiful wings. At the end of our visit, the Greek Orthodox priest gave Father Houk and Father Kouklas in our group icons as well as prayer books and, to Father Houk, his head covering. A very moving ceremony, and then we had group photos and signing and validation of our icons. Superb visit, and especially fascinating was the chance to watch the application of gold leaf.
Now at the Hotel Amalia, but this time in Kalambaka, and we have just had dinner (buffet) and a stroll through the hotel's lovely garden. Visiting 2-3 Greek Orthodox monasteries tomorrow. Can't wait!
We continued on to Trikala and had a picnic lunch at a taverna on the Portaikos River. Eleni had gotten cheese of the area, fresh bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh cherries, local white wine, and cold meatballs that tasted so good. For dessert, chocolate covered almonds. Afterwards we toured a hidden gem of central Greece, the Byzantine Church of Porta Panagia. Much of the church was completed in 1283. The Turks, in one of their skirmishes in the area, destroyed the monastery cells that had been situated around it. However, the church remained more or less intact. The highlights of the interior are a pair of mosaic icons depicting Joseph and Mary with Jesus, both showing western influence, and a marble iconostasis which shows Christ on the left side of the Virgin, which is unusual in Greek Orthodox iconography.
From the church we toured an icon workshop and watched three iconmakers, including a Greek Orthodox priest, paint icons. We were taken through the various processes of icon making, and then were taken to a gallery of finished works, in the middle of the workroom. Several of us, including myself, bought icons, mine of St. John the Baptist, depicted with beautiful wings. At the end of our visit, the Greek Orthodox priest gave Father Houk and Father Kouklas in our group icons as well as prayer books and, to Father Houk, his head covering. A very moving ceremony, and then we had group photos and signing and validation of our icons. Superb visit, and especially fascinating was the chance to watch the application of gold leaf.
Now at the Hotel Amalia, but this time in Kalambaka, and we have just had dinner (buffet) and a stroll through the hotel's lovely garden. Visiting 2-3 Greek Orthodox monasteries tomorrow. Can't wait!
I didn't even think about how magical it must be for you to have real greek yogurt every day! Does it pale in comparison with your Chobani??
ReplyDelete