Two flights and three bus rides later...

Florence to Rome - hour flight.  Rome to Thessaloniki - two hour flight.  Bus from Thessaloniki airport to bus terminal - one hour.  Bus from terminal to Delphi - seven hours.  Bus from Delphi to Athens - three hours.  But here we are...

Let me back up...

The rolling hills and lush vegetation of northern Greece, pock-marked with Cyprus trees, olive groves, and clay dirt farmlands like the side of a 6th century tower from where the wooden struts once held it assembled - reminded me of the rolling foothills of the Rocky Mountains in New Mexico.  Well, kind of.  Regardless, it was a lovely scene as we made our way south to Delphi.  Our hostel was more of a luxurious hotel with a private bath and balcony, overlooking the valley and coastal area (let's not tell mom and dad we only paid 30 euro for it I think they'd be quite jealous).

We woke the next morning early and toured the Sanctuary of Apollo and Athena before the blistering hot sun reached it's full strength (by then we were safely in the AC interior of the museum).  Built in the 4th c. BCE these ruins were older than anything we'd just seen in Italy, and very impressive.  Again, to see things that have stood for centuries and to imagine the masons carving it 2,500 years ago is just incredible.  A few of the original columns still stand and to imagine what the place must have looked like then is truly miraculous - and what also is amazing is how archaeologists know so much about it!

Our bus ride to Athens was uneventful, but the hostel is clean, has hot water, and we met some great people in the evening.  We are a little worried about booking our ferry to Santorini, so tomorrow I think we will take care of that right away.  So far my impression of Athens is not all that charming, but hopefully after seeing the Arcropolis and Partheon tomorrow that will all change.

CM