Views are quite often best left to themselves. Seen from afar they stir the soul. Create wonder. Strike a romantic light. Once immersed within however, the reality can tell a different story.
Each perching monastery linked by narrow up and down grey slalem-like runs. But no–one’s in the green today. No-one able to challenge the race leader. Apart from Scoot. He’s in his element. Leaves the queues queueing. No parking worries either. Gets us up close. Squeezes in. It’s May Day. It’s as busy as a disturbed ant’s nest. Armies swarm in from near and far. Topped up with coachloads who’ve bought into the tourist propaganda. “You haven’t done Greece, if you haven’t done the Meteora Monasteries”. That’s why we’re here too. Of course.
Our before visit briefing implies these ancient holy places deserve the utmost respect. No shorts on men. No long pants on women – dresses or skirts only. Skirts supplied on entry for skirt-less females. Mrs S has no skirt. Takes a wide scarf to act as a sarong. Isn’t necessary. Impossible for the religious to supply every entering ‘modern’ female. First stop, St Stephans, has thirty skirts available. Only two are off the peg. A blind eye turned – the order of the day. Goes against the Order. Too many visitors. Too many euros. We wonder what the original founders would make of all this.
No photos too. But who’s looking? The [mis]-guided throngs fed tid-bits of forgettable info. Occasional signs of reverence by those in the know. Venerations and candles lit. Gentle reminders on show.
14th century onwards saw twenty five years of rope and pulley lifting of materials the norm. A further twenty five years to build. Awesome doesn’t come close. Good things come to those who wait. And more so if they “Wait on the Lord”? Perhaps they do deserve these 21stC just deserts.
We aim to visit three of the six. Entrance to Varlaam blocked by a massive static line. We stick on two. Move on. Finish with a 360.
Mrs S is given the evening off. The local Taverna’s moussaka and home grown wine a perfect end to our day.