Tuesday 3 March 2009

ABC Wednesday: G for Greece




To enlarge click first on "View All Images" then on " Original View"
This week is dedicated to the letter G so I chose Greece.

In 2007 our church organised a journey to Greece, which was called "in the footsteps of Paul".

We went to Philippi to see the church dedicated to Lydia, the first woman baptized by Paul. We saw the agora, where Paul preached. The citizens of Philippi persecuted, tortured and imprisoned him there.

In Kalambaka we visited an icon factory and the so called Hanging Rocks or Meteora. These Meteora are very high rocks. Of the 21 monasteries, only six are still inhabited. The first monks didn't have flights of steps,like we used, but were hoisted up sitting in a basket. Food and water were also hoisted up.

In Delphi and its famous oracle and the museum near we learnt how the oracle worked.

We tried out the acoustics in Epidaurus an open air theatre, they were absolutely perfect.

We saw Mystras , founded in 1249 AD More about Mystras here

Lateron that week we saw the monastry of Kessariani,founded in the 11th century.

And of course Acropolis, Partenon and the museums in Athens.

One of the most remarkable things of ancient Greece was the way the ancient Greeks voted by means of potsherds, on which they scratched the name of the most undesirable man. Six thousand people must be present to make the result valid. This way of voting is called ostracism.The candidate with the greatest number of votes against him, had to leave Athens and stay away for ten years.



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28 comments:

Miss_Yves said...

Once more, a Great, great choice !

Arkansas Patti said...

Lovely pics. The hanging rocks certainly aren't for the faint of heart. No acrophobic monks living there.
The voting method was really intersting if severe. It would keep the same politicians from running every 4 years. That might be a really good thing.
Alway learn something new here. Thanks.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Wonderful, Wil! Interesting photos and information on Greece. Thanks. I love the photo in your blog banner; beautiful! I have over-nighted in Athens (once) and got to see the Parthenon from my hotel room balcony... at 2 a.m. it was still lit up. I spent a month on Crete with my daughter and her family, but have never toured mainland Greece. I look forward to seeing more Greece on your blog this week.

Sylvia K said...

What a great post! I spent two weeks in Greece many years ago and it has always been one of my most favorite places. Your photos and text are delightful! Thank you!

naturglede/Randi Lind said...

Great choise again.Love it. Have a nice evening:)

Jane Hards Photography said...

This is a wonderful follow up to your my world post.I am a real myths and legends fan. Athens is amongst my top places I wish to go to. Thank you for the virtual tour again.

photowannabe said...

Fascinating trip. i would love to follow the footsteps of Paul. I did a similar trip to Israel in 2001. It really makes the Bible come alive.

Unknown said...

First, I love your header photo. And the Greece photos were great. I've wanted to see that place, but wasn't able to. :(

EG CameraGirl said...

I have always thought it'd be wonderful to visit Greece,. So much wonderful history! Great post.

Ruth said...

A very interesting tour. I have been to Israel and seen biblical sites there, but an apostolic trip would be more varied. That is a most unusual voting system!

Patty said...

That must have been a marvelous trip. I like the building you are using as the header for your blog.

SandyCarlson said...

These are wonderful. Greece must be amazing.

Tumblewords: said...

Great choice! I recognized many of the names and was pleased to see the gorgeous photos!

Anonymous said...

A mighty big 'G' - a whole nation with a Great history. Closest I got to Greece was Cyprus for two years.

spacedlaw said...

Greece is Great!

Anonymous said...

What a fascinating tour that must have been! Beautiful, too.

And also facinating to read about the pot sherd voting!

abb said...

Your header photo is just wonderful. Lovely G post - and I never knew that's where the word ostracism came from! Thanks for the lesson.

Maria said...

This was certainly a great trip and the photos show it well.
Have a nice week

nonizamboni said...

What a wonderful visual (and audio) experience! Really hope I can see Greece for myself some day but thanks for the tour.
Thanks for sharing & happy ABC Wednesday!

Buddhist in Training said...

Yasu Wil! Wonderful G post. With my Cypriot husband I have yet to visit Greece, he just keeps taking me back to Cyprus!! One day!!

Janie said...

The Oracle of Delphi has always fascinated me. Would love to visit Greece. You have some wonderful photos, and I'm sure wonderful memories.

Rose said...

Beautiful photos, Reader Wil, but best of all, this sounds like a wonderful trip. I hope to visit Greece myself one day! In the meantime, I am enjoying your fascinating tours of the world.

Granny Smith said...

Philippi was our favorite town that we visited in Greece. Your photos are all wonderful. The photo in your header is the most beautiful of all!

Dina said...

What a wonderful slideshow. You make me want to visit Greece.
Such monasteries!!

Brenda said...

This would be a trip both my husband and I would really enjoy. Thanks for posting this!

Janice Thomson said...

Fantastic slide show Wil. What a beautiful country. Excellent post.

Barbara Martin said...

Thank you for the history behind the stories, Wil.

pictureeachday said...

Beautiful photos! Looks like this must have been an amazing trip :D