23 December '04, Thursday Yesterday they were calling for snow..today it didn't... Sooo, we set out for a long walk to see as much as we could in the “Meteora”. Most of the walk was up hil, but fortunately, it was gradual. Our first stop was after 45 minutes and then we had to clomb at least 10 flights of stairs to reach Agios Nikolaos Anapaphas, our first monastery. This monastery was built in the late 15th century. It sits on top of a smaller “obliged” rock. On the first floor we saw the chapel and refectory. Above were the “cells” for the monks. About 1527 the frescoes were painted by a monk Theophanis Strelizas. They fill the chapel and the refectory ...what a brilliant work of art. You want to sit and study the work until your eyes give out. But we also have to see some other monasteries, so down all those flights of stairs to the street far below, and start the hike up to the next one.; All the photo ops along the way made the walk seem much shorter than it was. As we approached our 2nd stop, a “Tourist Van” pulled up. As the bus unloaded and the troupe of 10 started up the stairs, we decided to follow. As we reached the gate, it said they were “closed”...Apparently this group had made special arrangements. Soooo, we ducked in behind and... Moni Agias Vararas Rousanou is now a Nunnery. We were welcomed into the beautiful entrance after climbing stairs for ever and then crossing a “dizzing” bridge. Once inside we were treated to a demonstration of wood mallet on a wood Beam (sounding like a drum), and a mallet on 3 metal hanging bars, which sounded similar to bells. I was very impressed. It was really beautiful. Then we made our way into the chapel. It was adorned throughout with frescos painted in the 16th century. There waas ver little light inside, so when they have their services the chapel is lit by candle light. As we “kind” of followed the group in we decided to leave and tour the grounds on our own before departing (we did pay our entrance fees...). At the heights we were at, the views to the surronding hills, valleys, and additional monestaries were stunning. All the monasteries close at 1:30 so we decided to head home and make some chicken chunk soup. The hike back may be downhill, but it was a long down hill. We had a full day and we were feeling it. Tonight I received a set back... My good ole “Gateway” decided not to star5t up....OH S...UCKS !!! The disadvantage to that is no spell check, no pictures, and tr5ying to read my handwriting.