Today, we went for a hike that gave us spectacular views of the entire Delphi area.
Our first stop was the graveyard. As we were walking in, a woman who was leaving smiled at me and said, "We all land here." I had to agree. Maybe not in Delphi, per se, but this is where we all end up.
The graves are kept neat and tidy. The cleaning supplies are kept on site, literally, to help with the process. Just under the cross in this picture, you can see the compartment where a brush, soap, extra oil, etc is kept. Just slide the plastic door open and you are ready to begin cleaning.
Lots of the pictures on the tombs were of smokers, who are actively smoking. I wasn't sure if this was the most dashing pictures they had had taken, a warning, or a defiant middle finger taken to the grave.
As we climbed, the views got fantastic.
At the bottom right of this picture is the graveyard we had just been in.
Well above Delphi. From here we could still hear the chanting and the church bells. It is Good Friday, and Delphi is in full Easter preparation. The roaming goats added their semi-harmonious bells to the mix.
View of the stadium from on high.
On the way back into the town, J spotted this doorway gem. Highly appropriate since there are cats everywhere. For the most part, they look pretty healthy and active. They are a mash up, but tend towards the tabby side of things. They sit under our outdoor tables at lunch, and since I'm a sucker, I feed them. I'm not the only one, though. I see kitty kibble thrown outside of doorways and outside of shops. I'm not the only soft hearted person in Delphi.
After our hike, I spent a few hours in the lobby of our hotel, catching up on pictures and emails. A big group of Israeli tourists arrived, and I quickly made a new friend. P and J and I have dinner together, in another spot overlooking the valley. We eat salad, zucchini croquettes, bean soup, rabbit, chicken souvlaki, "pumpkin pie" and share some wine. As we are leaving the restaurant, we hear a band, and see people walking with candles. It is a Good Friday processional through the town. We meet the processional and watch as the band somberly marches first, followed by the priest, girls carrying flowers, boys holding up wooden crosses, and others swinging incense. They are followed by what appears to be the entire population of Delphi. Folks who are watching on the sidewalk silently join in the crowd, making their way to the church. It was wonderful. Somber and nearly silent, despite the crowd.
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