Wednesday, October 1

Today we made our way to the center of the world according to ancient belief. Greek mythology recounts that Zeus released two eagles to fly in opposite directions around the earth (thus revealing that the ancients knew the earth was a sphere long before Christopher Columbus). They met in the skies over Delphi. 

We began with a visit to the museum at Delphi. There were a variety of statues, friezes, inscriptions, and even objects of pottery and glass that had been excavated from the site. Certainly one of the most impressive was the bronze charioteer. This statue was so detailed in its workmanship that one could even clearly make out the eyelashes.

Next we made our way out to the site of the excavations and began our climb up the slope of Mt. Parnassus through Delphi. On the way up we saw the reconstruction of the Treasury of offerings from Athens (one of several in Delphi), the Temple of Apollo that's underground chambers housed the ancient oracle, the theater, and finally to the stadium. As our guide reminded us, these major components of the upper site reflected the Greek concern of the total person -- the spirit (temple), the mind (theater), and the body (the stadium). Although many of us could have stayed for much longer, we had to leave when the site closed for the day at 3:00 p.m.

Then it was off to the Omphalos Restaurant. The name means "bellybutton," and it reminded us that we were at the center of the ancient world. Lunch was followed by shopping in the lovely village of Arahova. We would tell you what we purchased, except that since some of it was gifts we can't afford to give away any secrets.

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Last modified: May 24, 2007