Greece: Day 1

The flight went off without a hitch, though nine hours in cramped quarters is never a recipe for enjoyment.  If nothing else, I did get the chance to catch up on some movies on the way over.  Traveling with 24 ninth through twelfth graders is enough to put the fear of God in you, though this group has been fantastic from the start.  Prayers continue for more of the same going forward.

We met the tour guide, Sophia, at the airport and immediately departed around 10:30 AM (Athens time) for Corinth.  There we briefly looked at the Corinth canal that cuts through the isthmus (a stunning channel of water cut through the depth of 1000 foot stone wall, with striking green-blue water flowing through.  We also saw the bay where the apostle Paul sailed into on his visit to the Corinthian community from Athens.  It was very powerful to think that Paul stepped foot in this area centuries ago. 

Our travels took us to the famous 4^th century BCE ampitheater at Epidauras.  Nestled among the hills in the east central Peloponnese, The acoustics of this theater that seats 14,000 are truly amazing, and the view of the mountains to the west are spectacular. 

We are now traveling to Mani and our hotel for the evening.  The mountains of Menolau are silhouetted in the distance.  Beautiful.  As we travel, we pass a Mycenaen bridge that dates back to the 10^th century BCE.  Additionally, the small Greek Orthodox churches in the small communities through which we travel are wonderfully appointed and beautiful stone structures of religious architecture.  Along the way, we pass through Sparta and fantastic mountain views.  As we reach Mani, we are on the tip of one of the peninsulas overlooking the Ionian Sea.  With the stone and water, it is truly amazing.

There is something about the awareness of such history and all the people who have passed over these roads, moved over the bridges, enjoyed the ampitheater, and marveled at the sea  that even though things have changed quite radically in terms of technology, there are still very basic realities—transport, life in community, art and leisure, and religion—that are central to our being and living well in the world.  Obviously, the end to a very busy day, and I hope a bit more clarity tomorrow.