Delphi

This past weekend most of the Arcadia students went to Delphi. The trip was planned and organized by our Student Services Director so it made our first independent venture smoother and easier than had we done it all ourselves. For those of you not up on your Ancient Greek history (as I am not and have to look these things up before travelling) Delphi was considered by the Ancient Greeks as the center of the world or more colorfully referred to as "the navel of the Earth". There are many ruins (as is typical across much of Greece) including where the Oracle of Apollo sat, a theater, a stadium, a gymnasium, and a sanctuary of Athena. The Oracle of Delphi was supposedly able to communicate with Apollo and people would come from all over to ask the Oracle advice about whether or not to start wars, etc. according to Apollo's mood and what the Oracle saw happening in the future. Speaking in an unknown language, often the Oracle's prophesies and advice had to be interpretted by priests. Seems a bit convenient for the priests if you ask me.

The view from our hotel was amazing, as it was from basically everywhere in Delphi. The town is nestled into the mountainside and it seems a bit treacherous getting there with the sharply curved roads with cliffs at their sides that one must traverse in order to get there, but the danger is worth it. While we were there it was cold, windy, and snowing on and off. Apparently the weather was about as unpleasant in Athens, but being in such a beautiful and historic place helped one forget (if only momentarily) that it was frigid and blustery.

We did not stay in Delphi the entire weekend, as many of us ventured to the seaside town of Itea (don't ask me which sea, I'm not quite sure) for a few hours. While it was rather sleepy while we were there, and just about as cold and windy, the water made for a picturesque backdrop for a quaint, quiet, but friendly little town. A few of us went to check out the local church which was more ornately decorated than any I have seen thus far, and then found our way through a shop or two before settling into a Kafe. In one of the shops, the owner made pleasant conversation with us as he was familiar with Canada and the United States and before we left he offered us all a shot of Ouzo (only three of the seven of us accepted, myself included as I have read it is considered rude to refuse a drink which is considered a sign of hospitality... and quite honestly having a drink of Ouzo with a Greek shopkeeper just seemed like the thing to do while in Greece).

Overall the trip was pleasant and certainly Delphi is a must-see when living in Greece for 4 months. I'm not sure yet where my next trip will be to, but I hope to make many weekend trips throughout the country, as they give a much different (and in my opinion even more enjoyable) perspective of Greek culture and history. I shall let you know where I'm off to next once I've gotten a handle on my schoolwork (it's a little weird to finally have classes) and can put more focus and energy into planning.

Yasou!