Oct 02 2004
Meteora: The area, the people
We had a sunny breakfast, Yannois prepared the omellet himself following our request ‘ham/cheese/mush-room’, he shopped fresh ingredients and cooked local style.
His 5 cats had fun begging for food and got punished by garden hose shower.
Chris arrived in his truck around 10am. We headed to the old church first.
Chris explained the history of the town. It was burnt down twice during WW.II.
The church was preserved, but can see some fire trace on the wall.
It has a special pegoda like structure in the middle where they preached.
The lady attending the church let us peak into the main chamber which is not open to public. Chris explained a lot details for us. The frescos are quite dark, the figures rigid and 2-dimensional.
Then, we drove thru the pass up to the mountain, we passed thru and stopped by a mini vineyard. Saw some old vace, scarfolding of the historic sites where monks built ‘monks prison’.
climbers, caves with scarfs for good luck. mountain goats roaming in the high rocks.
picked up 2 New Zealand visitor along the way.
Arrived the first monestary: big meteraon. lots of tourists and buses. cross the bridge, visited the church, museum. old kitchen, vine celler, dining area, the bone/scull remains of monks who died there. peak time, it housed 400 monks, now only 15.
A group of conservatory students were visiting as well, all dressed in dark color suites and ties.
Got into trouble with police, Chris and Bing talked with Police. Heading downhill to police station, Chris called his friend in Police station, it was resolved.
got a hich’hiker along the way.
Heading back up to the nun monestary. they close 2pm. took picture with Chris with panaromic view point.
Visited the nun church on our own real quick. Then the trinity church. Heading down hill for late lunch. saw green color patterned turtle on the way. after a quick sandwich, hiking up for sunset shots.
nice walk along the rim. view was great. saw sunset on huge rock.
heading down in the twilight. nice trail.
light on for the rock. same dinner place. more salad. meat more salty.
plan to go up for sun rise next morning. slept early.