Churches

Exploring Athens The Old-school Way: On Foot

by
The City of Athens sprawls like this in every direction from the Lycabettus Hill, perhaps the best viewing platform in the city at about a thousand feet. Only about a 30-minute walk from my house.

I’m breaking in a new pair of hiking boots so walking has been my principal mode of transportation of late. But that’s OK since walking through unfamilar cityscapes is one of my favorite travel pastimes.

So far so good with my new bargain boots.

I’ve been in Athens now for a week. You’ve probably seen my first post on the Acropolis; now I’ve got some other photos taken on various other walks, starting with the Wednesday open market on Kavlou Street, in the Gizi neighborhood of the city, where I live.

Read more

Sunday’s Mass at the Oldest Standing Church in Tbilisi

by
I took this photo the first time I visited Anchiskhati Basilica one weekday morning and was so intrigued with the interior light that I vowed to return for a 9 a.m. mass to catch that gorgeous ray of sunlight again.

I may be a heathen but I love the traditional ceremonies, rituals, art and especially the music of historic churches.

Read more

‘Chronicle of Georgia’: The Best, Least Visited Tour Site in Tbilisi

by
Get a feel for the scale of the monument by looking at the benches and the couple on the steps.

Yesterday my friend had the urge at 7:30 a.m. to visit the Chronicle of Georgia, a colossal monument designed by world-renowned contemporary artist Zurab Tsereteli.

My friend roused me from a filmy sleep with a ping on Whatsapp asking if I wanted to join her. She needed to start early because of an online English class she taught in the early afternoon.

I had the monument on my list of places to see in Tbilisi so I agreed to meet her in an hour at the Marshanavili Metro Station.

The monument turned out to be well worth getting up for.

Read more