As we jumped on the train I remembered wanting to take a train ride somewhere as a kid. Not that it mattered where to, just a train ride. It felt good to jump on and see the countryside. I think if you have the time, train rides are the way to go. You get to see the countryside and enjoy the company of friends, or maybe even making new ones. It was a fun train ride. The best story from the train was when Matt went to the restroom and got himself stuck by breaking off the door handle... hahahaha so funny. The Greek countryside was really beautiful. Mountains lined the horizon and the green grass looked like a photoshoot for Ireland or somewhere else you would expect to see REALLY green grass. You drive along the cliff sides/ mountain sides and the sunsrise and sunset where gorgeous.
We arrived at the stop in Meteora at night and decided to find our way to the Koka Roka Taverna, our room for the night. As we walked through the city, it seemed very peacful/ tranquil. We managed to figure out the right direction, knowing that it was towards the base of the mighty cliffs. The only problem was that the city started looking a little more sketch, and the silent peacefulness turned into more of the same silence during the climax of a suspense movie. The foreigners not knowing where they were headed, walking up dark streets, passing pubs filled with nothing but old men and the only thing outnumbering the amount of beer was the excess of smoke. It turned out great though as we climbed up the windy streets to the taverna. Lauren called to make sure we were in the right direction and of corse Katarina just said, "keep coming up" in that unique questionable European accent.
As we arrived Nick who turned out to be her husband pointed us in. He was playing with some old equipment and reminded me of a Texan Great Grandpa fiddlin' with gadgets and equipment older then I am. Katarina showed us the room. Apparently she only had 1 because a group had decided to stay an extra night. This would be a problem the next morning when we tried to pay, but don't let me get ahead of myself. We go above the taverna which actually turns out to be their old house that they have converted into a makeshift hostel to give guests a place to stay. The room was great 3 beds for 4 people. Thank you girls for sharing a bed despite Katarina's suggestion of "...if 2 want to sleep together it works...you with her? or you two??" ha. The bathroom though demands some explanation. Lets just say you could use the restroom and shower at the same time.... not because they were so close together, but because they were one in the same. Just a hose connecting to the wall next to the toliet paper dispenser and a drain in the floor.....We didn't take showers.
We go to a Taverna in town and enjoy the splendid prices of a family run operation. A lot of Lamb, salad, feta, meatballs, chicken, eggplant, etc. They however didn't have the stuffed peppers we all wanted to try. Anyways we make it back up to the Koka Roka and head to bed. Meaning girl-esque pillow talk about random crap. Apparently this was a little too loud, and too later for Katarina. Only being 11 I didn't think it was too bad for a hostel and the later European lifestyle. Well here comes Katarina the little old lady, she barges into our room and lets out a "You go to bed now, it's sleepy time" and then shuts the door closed. Um what?? Yea what if I had just hopped out of the shower naked, or if something else embarrassing like that happened? I couldn't believe it and we all cracked up laughing and tried to fall asleep.
The next morning we had breakfast and some really funny anecdotes transpired. First a small Korean man comes walking in with his bad and says he would like to stay the night, but doesn't have much money. Sweet Katarina tells him it's not a problem, how much would you like to pay? Korean man says, "I just have 10 Euro" ...come on dude it's not a hostel and you've got more money than that because I saw you last night at the Taverna eating more then the 4 of us...oh right, that's probably why you don't have money....anyways sweet Katarina turns into ruthless business woman and tells him he heard wrong that she doesn't have a room and that nothing in life is free. He leaves for 5 minutes while we continue our breakfast.
Then he comes back again dragging in his luggage. Katarina yells at him to leave his bag outside, while my own backpack and Lauren's backpack are in plain site lying on the ground in front of him. It's a small place, he see's it. The Korean guy then says, "ok...I don't want room, just take shower" Katarina upset at this point says, "I dont have showers, leave." It was funny, but should have been a big clue. We finish our meal and then try to pay the bill. Katarina comes over and gives us a 97 Euro bill. EEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkk.....
Horse's come to a hault, wagons stop rolling, and all of our faces drop to the floor, eyes peering up lost in confusion. Excuse me? The meals where 30 and the room apparantely 67 Euro. Well Lauren had called and she had said 35 Euro for 2 rooms. Again I re-iterate that we all slept in one room. So it should be cheaper. She says oh ok.. I give you good deal, she writes out the bill, which consists of her scribbling on a small white piece of paper with a pen. Much like you would do if your doing elementary math. Then she presents her 'adjusted' price... a whopping 96 Euro. Sweet an entire dollar off for sharing a room. This makes a lot of cents!!! bahahaha... well I guess when Gyros are so cheap 1 Euro is like half a meal! ok ok so we debate for another good 10 minutes and finally she says ok ok I understand.... same process and comes the same result 95 Euro.
At this time we were just frustrated and decided to forget about it, not waste anymore time and head to the mountains. Walking up the footpath was definitely the most difficult/ rewarding part of the trip. You wind back and forth not knowing where you are going when finally you find an opening and see the magnificent mountains in the background, town in the valley, bluffs along us, monastaries on top, it's breathtaking. Literally I can't tell you how amazing this hike is. It takes us 40 mins just to get up the footpath and another hour or two across the asphault over the mountains to the other side. It's so surreal, every 200 yards or so you just want to stop and take pictures and take it all in. It's so beautiful. I can't describe the view. You'll have to see it from the little movie Matty P made.
Link for video click me
In the monastaries it is so quiet. So hermet like. The monks dedicate their lifes to becoming closer to God and Holy. The women as the walk in to the monastaries have to wear skirts around their pants in order to keep temptation away. It was so interesting for me to see this lifestyle, and the traditions, customs, and rituals that they do in order to get closer to God. For me I found some difficult questions. I mean for instance, they built the monastaries in the most desolate/ beautiful places away from everyone in a place where there is not question to see God. Trying to be away from the world and yet this in turn draws everyone else to see these places.
Another thing was, these men are dedicate to Christ. However they isolate themselves. How does this work out? I'd figure they'd rather show others the same love. Then I thought about it, I mean I guess this lifestyle really brings the people to see how dedicated they are. Either way following brings fruit even if the fruit is of a different kind. Weither it's monks, missionaries, or the average joe, we still have our own impact. Sometimes in ways we don't know.
Anyways being up there just really brings a peaceful spirit and a calmness. I was just in awe of the countryside/ landscape. We had such a fun time walking up and down together. Taking it all in. It was an experience. That's how I'd describe it. An experience.
Well that's the 2nd part of the trip, still have island hopping to talk about so look forward to that soon.
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