Greek trip, June 18
This morning, under lowering skies, we left for the ancient city of Corinth. Our first stop was to see the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Corinth, a city of about 1000 sacred prostitutes, was where Paul spent 18 months on his first journey and created the biggest Christian community in Europe. Before having to flee the rain and thunder and lightning, we viewed the Roman forum and the Temple of Apollo. Paul's attempts to reform the citizens' ways were met by rioting and tribulations recorded in his two letters to the Corinthians. We also explored the museum on site, containing sarcophagi, statuary, and sacred and secular objects.
From Corinth we made our way to Athens and arrived at about 1:45 p.m. Arnie and Carole Kloukas, two of our friends made on this trip, joined us in leaving the bus at Syntagma Square and walking to the Byzantine Museum, where we spent the next 3 hours. It is one of the most important museums of its kind internationally regarding the culture of the Byzantine and post-Byzantine eras. It contains more than 25,000 objects in the collection, some of which date back to the third century. Afterwards, we had iced coffee with honey at the museum's cafe, then attempted to go to the bookstore, which was unfortunately closed. We walked back to the hotel via the city park, and by that time the sun had returned and a serene evening was in the making.
About 30 minutes after our return we left for our farewell dinner, although tomorrow night would have been more apt. However, our guide Eleni is leaving us tomorrow, and we wanted to see her off properly. We walked about 15 minutes to a Greek taverna, where two musicians played Greek music, and we had tziziki, a Greek salad, pastries filled with spinach and cheese; moussaka, and a juicy watermelon for dessert. We also had a Grecian white wine. As the evening became more mellow and the sun went down, the ambiance of the place, the sights, sounds and smells made me recollect the famous Wordsworth line: "It is a beauteous evening, calm and free..." The ringing of church bells would have provided the final grace note, but I was so grateful for what we had--one of those moments to be frozen in time. Returning to the hotel, we said goodbye to Eleni, then retired for the evening. Tomorrow the Parthenon and the Acropolis!
From Corinth we made our way to Athens and arrived at about 1:45 p.m. Arnie and Carole Kloukas, two of our friends made on this trip, joined us in leaving the bus at Syntagma Square and walking to the Byzantine Museum, where we spent the next 3 hours. It is one of the most important museums of its kind internationally regarding the culture of the Byzantine and post-Byzantine eras. It contains more than 25,000 objects in the collection, some of which date back to the third century. Afterwards, we had iced coffee with honey at the museum's cafe, then attempted to go to the bookstore, which was unfortunately closed. We walked back to the hotel via the city park, and by that time the sun had returned and a serene evening was in the making.
About 30 minutes after our return we left for our farewell dinner, although tomorrow night would have been more apt. However, our guide Eleni is leaving us tomorrow, and we wanted to see her off properly. We walked about 15 minutes to a Greek taverna, where two musicians played Greek music, and we had tziziki, a Greek salad, pastries filled with spinach and cheese; moussaka, and a juicy watermelon for dessert. We also had a Grecian white wine. As the evening became more mellow and the sun went down, the ambiance of the place, the sights, sounds and smells made me recollect the famous Wordsworth line: "It is a beauteous evening, calm and free..." The ringing of church bells would have provided the final grace note, but I was so grateful for what we had--one of those moments to be frozen in time. Returning to the hotel, we said goodbye to Eleni, then retired for the evening. Tomorrow the Parthenon and the Acropolis!
All of your blog sounds fantastic! Quite jealous... Wish i could quit my job and responsibilities and join you!
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