Thursday, December 12, 2024

Meteora (and South Korea)

Even from the base of the boulders in Meteora, it was impossible to tell how they'd managed to get a monastery up there, or how we'd get up there in a bus, but it happens somehow through the magic of pulleys, and roads, and stairs. 

My love is ancient Greece, so I gave Byzantine Meteora a miss on my previous trip. My sister was keen to go though, so we looped it in this time, and I'm glad we did. It was pretty incredible.

Also, on the bus I met a young person from South Korea who had been at the poeple's protest that brought down martial law just last week, and they shared their pictures with me and I shared them on the family chat and immediately became cooler to my kids.

Pic: We're dressed in long skirts and have covered our shoulders because that's the required dress code at the monasteries we visited. We both went to convents for school, so we chatted up the nuns just like old times. We're wearing the matching necklaces we got at the museum store--my sister's is visible, mine's hiding under hair.  

12 comments:

Lisa's Yarns said...

The pictures of you and your sister during this trip are so wonderful! I love the necklace you chose! And how cool to meet a South Korean protestor. The amount of global news from the last couple of weeks is just staggering!!

Nance said...

I love that aspect of travel--the chance to meet other people who have interesting stories. And you really hit the jackpot on that one.

Nicole said...

I find it so interesting for things like monasteries in strange and forbidding places. St Catherine's in Sinai was one that we were at and it was wild, thinking about monks creating these steps out of rocks so many centuries ago.

J said...

What a wonderful vacation, and I love that you talked to a SK protester. I'll bet they are beyond thrilled with the impeachment. I suspect you and your sister will cherish your lovely necklaces.

Anonymous said...

This trip brings me deep vicarious joy!

I hope that it’s a time of exhale and rejuvenation for you and your sister. 🫶🏼

-Steph

maya said...

Thank you, Lisa! Nodding along to every point on this comment!

maya said...

Right? Travel makes me feel so connected to the world and so full of love for everyone...

maya said...

Nicole--I don't know if you've read "Haven" by Emma Donoghue. It starts off with that premise...

maya said...

Thanks, J--I'm sad it's over...
But lots of lovely memories and keepsakes for sure...

maya said...

Thank you, Steph. It was a time to feel like a kid and be a bit silly. It's not entirely without challenges, but I'd definitely do it again.

StephLove said...

What an interesting chance encounter.

maya said...

I was a bit starry-eyed!

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