in the middle east

After Athens, we headed 3hrs North to visit the ruins of the famous city of ancient Delphi. Founded in the mid-700's BC, it rose to fame in the 6th cent. BC. because the great temple of Apollos and because of the Oracle of Delphi. The Oracle was a line of priestesses who would perform rites of divination and speak on Apollo's behalf to whoever inquired. Of course, you had to pay alot of money for this kind of thing, and thus the city is filled with dozens of ancient treasuries from the rich and famous who came to inquire of the Oracle. One famous story of the tricky nature of the Oracle is of King Croesus of Lydia who wanted to find out whether he could defeat Cyrus the king of Persia in battle (this is mid-500's BC). The Oracle said that a great kingdom would fall if he entered the battle: it turns out that king Croesus died in that battle and his kingdom fell apart! He definitely didn't get his money's worth! The city is tucked into a high hillside in the central Greek mountains, and offered breathtaking views.
After Delphi, we caught a series of busses 5hrs further North into the mountains of central Greece. Our destination: the monasteries of Meteora. We had seen some pictures of them, and heard of their wonders, but nothing prepared us for the amazing sights and experiences that awaited. There survives in central Greece a region of ancient sandstone towers, many over a thousand feet tall. In the medieval period, Greek Orthodox monks would retreat here atop these tower for isolation, prayer, and monastic life. Through the centuries these communities grew and became the monasteries of Meteora. I can't really describe them, you just have to see the pictures and marvel for yourself. This was definitely one of the main highlights of the trip. Click Here to enter Delphi and Meteora.