Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
TRIP OF THE DAY
The first thing every tourist does, after they check into their hotels that is, is to go to the Acropolis of Athens.
No matter what season, be it summer, fall, spring or winter, the light on the marble will never cease to amaze.
The sun was shining amid the white clouds; the wind was blowing briskly and the people were few enough to get clear and uncluttered shots.
I am especially fond of the sharp angles and the perspectives shot from under the columns. You can clearly see the black residue from the pollution emitted by the cars collecting under the marble structure.
Much restoration has been completed on the Acropolis in the last 25 years and continues to progress. Even though I hadn't been to the top of this ancient monument in over four years, I was amazed and astounded at how captivating it feels to stand on this so famous spot. The mind is boggled at the thought of just how this was built...details that I will try to fill in on other spaces on further pages....
keep checking back as these pages are in progress, just as the restoration of the Acropolis...
Monday, October 19, 2009
Come to Greece
I hope you enjoy traveling through my pages and that somewhere along the line I may inspire you to travel to the country of Greece, where the light is something unique and special. Even the ancient Greeks were aware of the significance of 'light' and built their most famous temples with respect and consideration of the positions from which the sun 'rose' and 'sat.' Today, we can see the modern respect and importance of the 'light' in Greek Art by the amazing presence of the New Acropolis Museum. At a certain time of the day, the shadow of the Acropolis is reflected on the side of the the new museum's walls presenting the contemporary traveler to Athens a unique and awe inspiring realization of the 'light' in Greek philosophy of spirit, body and soul.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Poisonous Snakes in the Spring Time in Greece
The Snake Commonly Known in Greece as 'OCHIA.'
The Scientific Name: Vipera ammodytes
When walking in the hills, especially during the first month of Spring, be very careful and on the look out for the famous Poisonous Snake of Greece ....THE OCHIA! It's bite can be fatal and there are few, if any antidotes available in pharmacies and hospitals in Greece!!!
I took this photo at the Monastery of Agios Pavlos in Plaka above Lavrion on 3rd April, 2009. The Nun there, who was clearing the overgrowth in their garden told me that this was the second snake they had killed in the past week. She also told me that this snake must be killed by smashing the head, or else the snake does not die, even if it is cut into two pieces, and that it will 'regenerate' just as an earthworm does when it is cut!
The Ochia is a long, thin snake and is well camouflaged. It likes to sun itself on the rocks in the Spring time. If you have the misfortune of being bitten, your best bet is to find a Veterinarian, who may more likely have an antidote than even a hospital! This is because hunters more often have their hunting dogs bitten by these snakes than do local people. The Greeks do not climb up on the hillsides and rocks in the Spring time for this reason.
Most people and especially tourists, do not think of Greece as a country with poisonous animals. Perhaps this is because, most of the poisonous creatures in Greece are rarely seen. This, fortunately for most, is just as well kept that way. It remains a fact that these poisonous creatures do exist in Greece and far better to be warned than sorry.
In the 30 years I have been in Greece, this was the first and only sighting of a poisonous snake that I was aware of. I've never seen a scorpion and the spiders...well, I saw some huge hanging spiders on the island of Kea that were unidentified at the time! Neverthless, I like to think that I have no desire to go off hunting for this creatures. As my Grandmother used to say, 'Best to leave sleeping dogs (spiders, snakes and scorpions) Lie! I'll second that!
The Scientific Name: Vipera ammodytes
When walking in the hills, especially during the first month of Spring, be very careful and on the look out for the famous Poisonous Snake of Greece ....THE OCHIA! It's bite can be fatal and there are few, if any antidotes available in pharmacies and hospitals in Greece!!!
I took this photo at the Monastery of Agios Pavlos in Plaka above Lavrion on 3rd April, 2009. The Nun there, who was clearing the overgrowth in their garden told me that this was the second snake they had killed in the past week. She also told me that this snake must be killed by smashing the head, or else the snake does not die, even if it is cut into two pieces, and that it will 'regenerate' just as an earthworm does when it is cut!
The Ochia is a long, thin snake and is well camouflaged. It likes to sun itself on the rocks in the Spring time. If you have the misfortune of being bitten, your best bet is to find a Veterinarian, who may more likely have an antidote than even a hospital! This is because hunters more often have their hunting dogs bitten by these snakes than do local people. The Greeks do not climb up on the hillsides and rocks in the Spring time for this reason.
Most people and especially tourists, do not think of Greece as a country with poisonous animals. Perhaps this is because, most of the poisonous creatures in Greece are rarely seen. This, fortunately for most, is just as well kept that way. It remains a fact that these poisonous creatures do exist in Greece and far better to be warned than sorry.
In the 30 years I have been in Greece, this was the first and only sighting of a poisonous snake that I was aware of. I've never seen a scorpion and the spiders...well, I saw some huge hanging spiders on the island of Kea that were unidentified at the time! Neverthless, I like to think that I have no desire to go off hunting for this creatures. As my Grandmother used to say, 'Best to leave sleeping dogs (spiders, snakes and scorpions) Lie! I'll second that!
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