Central European Lines

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

For us the landscape was not too friendly.The hill from the left seemed to be a former deposit of some chemical residues.Of course I didn't know the place and the truth so this is my opinion only.But to play with complementary colours amazed me.

Now it looks like America.

Yes because in America are many Greeks but... from the distance only

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

Soon after this curve we begun the coming down to the Kalambaka,a small town at the feet of the Meteora's rocks on a road which did not receive too much attention from the administration.

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

In front of us goes up the street toward the monasteries.Till 5 pm is a "weak" movement the tourists being on the hills.

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

The oleander,one could say a Greek national flower,incorporates into it both principles of the life-beauty and poison,good and bad.Why a Greek one,because their myths told about its birth, explaining us the background of the life-Heaven and Hell.

[gregj1763]

I have been following your trip with interest.
Amazing architecture and vivid colours in your photo's.
I check each day to see where you are now.
Cheers, Greg

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

We found our hotel.The room(with bathroom)was 30E/night,for two persons,including the breakfast.From the window of our room,the landscape became more human due to these... poles

I have been following your trip with interest.
Amazing architecture and vivid colours in your photo's.
I check each day to see where you are now.
Cheers, Greg

I try to be still hereThank you.

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

Maybe those hermits,who were the firsts here,in 10th c.,looked for a place with no link with common people's life because their need was to be near the God.They found here what they wanted, precisely.Under the influence of Mount Athos,in 14th c.,a first monastery was built and the rules begun to govern the life of the monks.Such caves became the prisons for those who infringed the rules

[arith]

I like the face

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

Paradoxically,but at first sight only,the Ottoman invasion and conquering increased the number of monks here at Meteora.I said at first sight because they,being chased out from their places,came here where the access was hardly prohibited by the nature itself.

I like the face

Here is a paradise for a photographer from the point of view of the different shapes.That one seemed to illustrate the sufferings of those who were punished in opposition with this one which is one of a monkey

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

The monasteries' road is like a ring and it could be done in the clock's hand direction or in opposed sense.However the majority of the tourists begins in the clock sense-from Kalambaka to Kastraki village.

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

Going on clockwise,the road passes near a particular cave which was St.George Mandilas' hermitage.

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

Tradition says that when Ottomans were here the cutting of the forest was prohibited for them.A Turk,a soldier,who tried to cut a tree fell down like a dead.Believing he was killed,the ruler of Kastraki wanted to punish the Greeks but a powerful voice coming from St.George cave told to the Ottoman that Greeks didn't kill anybody and his own wish to cut a tree was involved.

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

And returning to the life will be when one of the Turks shall give up something preciously.Then one of the ruler's wives took down her veil,donated it to The Saint.Every year the youngs from Kastraky climb the rock and present scarfs to The Saint George... Mandilas.(In Greek mantila/mandila being scarf/kerchief.)



PS-in Greek,from the same root, seems to be the word "mantili" which means "fortune teller"

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

But the road goes on.

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

A kind of frustration appears in the front of a closed gate like that of St.Nicolaos Anapaphsas monastery,which was built in 16th c.and abandoned at the beginning of 20th c.Although it was renovated in 1960s,it was opened for tourists in 1997 only



PS- although "anapaphsas" has an unknown meaning,however it could be linked by the "rest"/"resting place"

[arith]

These places are awesome

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

For the disorganized and lazy tourist,like me,who didn't write what it was photographed,a supplementary frustration could appear.For example,I'm not at all sure that this image is from the same monastery although it is very easy to notice directly on the camera.

These places are awesome

I hope you are right But for me this landscape are a little scared comparing with what in Romania a monastery place is.Below you could see Surpatele("crumblings")Nunnery and,of course,what I wished to say.

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

Despite of all these little frustrations,the driver is like all drivers and the tourists ...like all tourists

[arith]

Is this thread hidden now? I like the scenery but had to go looking for the thread since it wasn't in the highlighted threads in Nature.

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

The play"The Top Model and Her Photographer" is always performed in such trips.

Is this thread hidden now? I like the scenery but had to go looking for the thread since it wasn't in the highlighted threads in Nature.

Thanks for your interest but being honestly,for the most times(for many times sound better)I don't understand the true English.So,please,don't be upset if I didn't understand what you wanted to say.

PS-Merry Christmas,A Happy Winter Holiday with good condition to all!