Day 3
It's been hard finding internet, and my computer's wireless internet is no longer working so I'm hooked up by cable in a cafe right next to the hotel. I feel a little bad using their cable so I'm going to have to keep the posts a bit shorter.
Kalimera! Up at 7:15 for our trip to one of the most significant archeological sites in Greece. This “goose-bump” site has everything, incredible ancient remains, a brand new museum, and a panoramic setting on Mount Parnassus, with views down to the Gulf of Corinth. The only bad thing is that it takes about 3 hours by bus to get there. Once we were out of the city it turned into beautiful countryside with endless fields and the mountains in the distance. However, the majority of the houses were quite dilapidated. After making a few stops we finally made it to Delphi. Nestled in the mountain side are three tiers to the ancient ruins. The first tier has all of the treasuries where the pilgrims would bring gold and other gifts (bribes) for the gods in hopes of pleasing them. The only treasury left was the Athenian one, as it was rebuilt in 1906. Continuing up the Sacred Way as the pilgrims did we made it to the second tier that once had the majestic Temple of Apollo. Only a few of the columns remain but it still takes your breath away as you look through the columns out across the valley. Finally the third tier has the theater. Apparently they just decided to not let tourists run up and down the stairs anymore. Probably a good thing to keep the foot traffic to a minimum. We learned that the pilgrims came here to get advice from the oracle and her advice came out in riddles or mostly just gibberish. A recent study was done on the area to determine if the site had some kind of special quality and it was found that the fissure that the oracle was sitting on produced methane gas in small amounts, so the oracle was just getting high all day and spouting riddles. What a job! So back down the same path we came up and onto the bus for some more delicious Greek food in town.
The town of Delphi is also perched on the side of the mountain and made for some beautiful pictures. After the best meal I've had yet, we headed back to Athens for dinner and a night on the town.
My roommate took us to meet his cousin in one of the towns just a few stops on the metro. We finally got to experience some of the real Greek nightlife, including ouzo. For those who don't know what ouzo is all about, its a clear, extremely strong alcohol that is mixed with water or an ice cube. Once you put the ice in the ouzo turns a milky white. Not my favorite, but great to try it. We got back pretty late but we have to get up early yet again to go to the travel agency for our trip next weekend, more on that when I find out where we're going.
They're kicking me out so I'm signing off. Until tomorrow, antio!
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