Delphi, Greece
Greek Coffee
It’s ALL Greek to us.
Stani, M. Kotopouli 10, Omonia
First things’s first - we had to get ourselves some good Greek yogurt! After renting a car for the day, we found a spot north of the touristic Acropolis area that served the real deal 🐮 called Stani. When we’ve had Greek yogurt, it comes straight from the Fage (Fa-yeh, not Phage) container in a heaping dollop. But, this yogurt was served in a slice - a slice with a firm crust of cream on top. It didn’t taste astringent, just like “good fat,” with a generous drizzle of 🍯🐝 and walnuts. This is the life.
We went to Delphi on the suggestion of Yennie’s cousins, Patty and Bernie, who honeymooned here about a year ago (Happy Anniversary, boos). Patty is a studied art historian and Bernie is an autodidact, so we knew we were in for a treat. Delphi is about two hours away by car and luckily, Terrence figured out it was much cheaper to rent a car than take a bus or group tour. We saw Greece by highway and even passed the Fage factory outside Athens! #takeustoyourleader
Delphi is nestled in between the Phaedriades, a pair of cliff faces on Mount Parnassus (sheesh, everything has a name, here). The legend we overheard on the origins of the site is that Zeus himself selected where Delphi should stand. Wikipedia tells it most eloquently: In his attempt to locate the center of the earth, launched two eagles from the two ends of the world, and the eagles, starting simultaneously and flying at equal speed, crossed their paths above the area of Delphi. From this point, Zeus threw a stone from the sky to see where it will fall. The stone fell at Delphi, which since then was considered to be the center of the world, the omphalos - “navel of the earth”.
Some bellybutton! Delphi was a significant religious, spiritual, and financial location for Ancient Greece. It hosted the Oracle of Delphi, who would advise leaders and laymen alike (i.e. “Should we fight the Persians?” “Should I marry this chick?”), and the rich treasuries dedicated to Gods that housed the spoils of wars and conquests, won in thanks to the gods. We learned that temples and treasuries go hand in hand - one celebrates the might and power of the god, one ensures the income and prosperity of the god, so the people may benefit. Sound familiar? Where you at, Janet Yellen.
Though Delphi was located by mythic means, the climate was clearly not a priority. This place was smouldering. We traversed the maze-like path up the hill to reach the stadium, taking mini-breaks in the shade. Why an elderly Chinese woman with an umbrella would need to double-down with some shade was beyond Yennie. It was like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Sale up in that shade. So, we took refuge in the museum that housed much of the sculptures, artifacts, and marbles excavated from the site.
When we got back to Athens, we got a drink at a rooftop bar with views of the Acropolis. Whether it was the heat exhaustion or a good pour from the bartender, we felt blissed out.
Bloody Mary
It’s NOT just a brunch drink, okay.
Point 𝝰 at the Herodion Hotel, Rovertou Galli 4, Acropolis
