Day #2 on the Bus

On our tour of Greece we joked a number of times about how we should put together a photo album just of ruinas (ruins)that we'd visited around the world! (We saw plenty of them dating from the fabulous classical period of Greek architecture.)
On the bus on Monday morning we drove south through the beautiful countryside of Thessaly, heading toward Delphi. Road signs were legible since they used both Greek and Roman alphabet. (Since I'd learned the Greek alphabet in seminary, it was fun refreshing my memory!)

The Oracle of Delphi is famous both in history and legend as the place to go to learn about your future. The "oracle" was located at the entrance of a chasm that emitted intoxicating vapors. There a priestess inhaled the fumes and supposedly was reliable in predicting one's future. Wars were fought, marriages sealed and journeys taken on the basis of what was learned. The excavated site of "the oracle" is the green patch to the right in the picture just above.


Also at Delphi was an impressive museum where a bronze charioteer was displayed, having been unearthed in the 19th century after being completely buried (& thus preserved from looting) by a giant earthquake in the 4th century B.C. After visiting the museum and archeological site we had a chance to walk around the modern town of Delphi where I captured a picture of Nancy being assisted down a long stone stairway by a young member of our tour group. (Note that the young woman just behind is also being assisted!) - rw