The suggestion from the travel guides is to go to Corinth early in the morning or later in the afternoon. The heat of the day can be really tough.
So, of course, we slept in and left just before noon to get there in the afternoon.
Our train to Corinth was under construction, so we hopped 3 different trains, and then 2 more buses. So 3 hours and a lost pair of sunglasses later, we finally arrived in ancient Corinth.
After a late lunch, we made it to the archeaological site to find out that on Mondays, it closes at 3:00. It was now 3:15. The guides all said that it closed at 8:00pm. Closing at 3:00, was apparently its winter hours. And, apparently, June is winter? By the way, todays high was close to 100 F.
So, with nothing to see, I decided to buy a new pair of "Ray Ban" sunglasses from a roadside stand. Since, most likely, real Ray Bans don't squeak when you open them up, I talked the guy from 15 Euros down to 10. I'm sure I still got ripped off, but it was fun seeing the look on his face when I made these brand new Ray Bans squeak over and over again. Kiki and I had a good laugh over that situation.
A near-death taxi cab experience got us back to the train station in time to catch an early train back to Athens.
We were able to go meet some missionaries at a refugee project in downtown Athens. Apparently, muslim refugees are leaving Iraq and Afghanistan by the truck loads with no place to live and no job to work.
While talking to the missionaries, we got an invite to travel with some of them the following day to visit some ruins. Of all places, ancient Corinth, of course.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Sunday afternoon/evening
Sunday night Kristin and I went to the Acropolis. The views were amazing and we got some pretty cool shots, but the coolest part happened when we were leaving the Parthenon area.
I asked a guy where Mars Hill was and he pointed to the place. (The place where Paul first preached the gospel when he came to Greece-Acts 16 or 17?) We went over to check it out, but when we got there, security and police were everywhere and there we stands set up all over, and a throne sitting on the top of Mars Hill. Turns out that June 29th is the day, every year, that the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates Peter and Paul bringing the gospel to Greece. The stands filled with people and car after car dropped off officials of the GOC and the Greek government. A procession of soldiers was followed by a band and then dozens of GOC priests in their black hats, black robes, and long beards.
We sat and talked for about 30 minutes to a very devout GO layperson. He explained many "miracles" within the GOC, and the differences between GOC and Catholicism. As Kristin started to ask him about the GOC's requirements for salvation, which happened to be very "works" dependent, he said that he had to go. All in all, it was a very interesting conversation and hopefully a seed was planted.
We watched the ceremony for about 20 minutes before moving on, but found the whole thing very interesting.
We left Mars Hill and headed for the Greek market place for some shopping and dinner. We had a great night and came back home to our hotel for some much needed sleep.
I asked a guy where Mars Hill was and he pointed to the place. (The place where Paul first preached the gospel when he came to Greece-Acts 16 or 17?) We went over to check it out, but when we got there, security and police were everywhere and there we stands set up all over, and a throne sitting on the top of Mars Hill. Turns out that June 29th is the day, every year, that the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates Peter and Paul bringing the gospel to Greece. The stands filled with people and car after car dropped off officials of the GOC and the Greek government. A procession of soldiers was followed by a band and then dozens of GOC priests in their black hats, black robes, and long beards.
We sat and talked for about 30 minutes to a very devout GO layperson. He explained many "miracles" within the GOC, and the differences between GOC and Catholicism. As Kristin started to ask him about the GOC's requirements for salvation, which happened to be very "works" dependent, he said that he had to go. All in all, it was a very interesting conversation and hopefully a seed was planted.
We watched the ceremony for about 20 minutes before moving on, but found the whole thing very interesting.
We left Mars Hill and headed for the Greek market place for some shopping and dinner. We had a great night and came back home to our hotel for some much needed sleep.
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