Sunday, May 7th, Delphi, Greece

Greetings!

While the rest of the world was beginning to watch the elections in France, we chose to drive north over the Rio-Antirio Bridge, and stop at a lovely seaside village (Nafpaktos) for the best coffee outside with a view.

Proceeding northeast for another couple of hours, we arrived at the southwestern slope of Mount Parnassus (Delphi), where we visited the spectacular museum, and walked up the hill to the Temple of Apollo.  Son of Zeus, Apollo is clearly the darling of everyone in Greece, in ancient and current times.  His temple designated a neutral zone wherein all city states and territories could gather, pay tribute to Apollo and other deities (including the earth goddess Gea, Themis, Demeter, and Poseidon), and seek advice from the Oracle.   

We are increasingly amazed at how our perceptions of greek mythology have not prepared us for the size and complexity of the ancient ruin sites associated with them.   Olympia and Delphi, and the museums here and in Athens, provide ample evidence of the strength and credibility of these early beliefs in Greece.  And they convincingly demonstrate the superiority of Greek sculpture.

Who were those providing the answers to questions posed to the Oracle?  And what was the source of their insight?  It turns out that the gases (ethylene, methane, and ethane) seeping out of cracks, discovered recently, have verified ancient claims that the Oracle's communicators were achieving a heightened state by breathing in these vapors.

To see all of the photos taken today, click on Sunday, May 7th, Delphi. Greece.