Week Five: Who Wants to Chip in for the New Summer Home?

Okay, yes, this entry is supremely delayed. But that just means that Greece keeps getting better and better. So for week 5 I went on the first weekend “field trip” organized by our school. We went to the city of Volos and the town of Makrinitsa. The city lies at the foot of Mount Pilio, which was the home of the centaurs according to ancient Greek mythology. Volos is also significant in Greek legend as the port from which Jason and the Argonauts left in their quest for the Golden Fleece. While in Volos, we visited the archeological museum housing artifacts from the region from the Bronze age to about the 3^rd century AD. We wandered the city, enjoyed the beautiful weather, and had the best fresh seafood meal I’ve had so far in Greece.

Makrinitsa is a village near the peak of Mount Pilio, which was founded in the 13^th century as a monastery. It was eventually converted into a regular village with houses peaking out from the side of the mountain. Makrinitsa is now a somewhat off-the-beaten-path tourist destination where all buildings must be built in the town’s traditional style with traditional materials. With a glorious view of Volos below, we spent the night in the peaceful town.

As I told Matt after the trip, I decided where I will be buying my first summer home. ;)

Photos of the Week:

Token flower picture. One of many. Also one of the many habits I've inherited from Mom.

A waterfront church in Volos.

Boats in Volos.

If you look all the way up on the mountain, you can see Makrinitsa from the waterfront in Volos.

A replica of the ship that Jason and the Argonauts took out of Volos in search of the Golden Fleece.

The views from Makrinitsa.

A example of keeping traditional building technique alive in Makrinitsa...."I want to build my shop here, but there is a tree that is hundreds of years old in my way. I'll just build around it." We could learn a lesson or two...

Night time.....

Makrinitsa in the mountainside.

Mama kitty. Too adorable.

Idols of John the Baptist and Jesus, Greek Orthodox style. Apparently they really like to portray these cousins in similar dress and positions - the only big difference being that John has messy hair since he's from the dessert. Logic.

Token flower picture #2.