On the way to Delphi

July 6, 2014

Today was a travel day. We planned our route to Delphi following the coast of the Gulf of Corinth. It was a beautiful day and all the locals plus some inlanders were on the banks of the Gulf swimming, sunning and picnicking. We enjoyed the beautiful drive and as we turned inland to meet our next road we joined a crazy traffic jam and somehow ended up on the wrong road. By the time we discovered our mistake it was easier to join the freeway for the next leg of the trip.

On our way to Delphi we had decided to visit Oisos Luskas a well know monastery in the area. Another wrong turn and we decided a lunch break and time to relax in Distomo was in order. After a Greek salad, an iced tea ( disappointingly Lipton from a bottle) and directions from a local we arrived at the monastery.

The grounds of the monastery were peaceful and beautiful and the church was lovely. We wandered the church separately and I was approached by one of the the priests and he said "Fa zeel, fa zeel!" He motioned me to come with him and pointed at an object in the stone wall. "Fa zeel, fa zeel! F.O.S.S.I.L." OH! He was showing me a fossil in the stone. It was a fish fossil which I had noticed earlier but had no idea what it was. I was so grateful that he had pointed it out.

 I decided to ask him the question I have wondered about for a while. Why do so many pictures of Christ depict him touching his thumb to his fourth finger? He explained the perfect God and the perfect Christ, then he explained the finger positions priests use to bless people and what they mean. It was very interesting and now I understand so many pictures I have seen all over Europe that little bit better. As I left him, I went in search if Annelle and Carrie. I decided to set up a self timed shot for a photo of the three of us. As I was getting my camera ready another priest began to walk down the stairs I was planning to use. He graciously consented to pose for a photo.

After the monastery we completed the drive to Delphi. We arrived too late to visit any of the sites but we were able to take photos from above the Gymnasium which was our first view of the ancient site.