Revelation in Patmos

After we had sailed from Leros after the whole steering ordeal, and made it safely to the island of Patmos.  Patmos is a really spread out island, very craggy, and quaint.  It’s biggest claim to fame is it is the traditional location of where the apostle John wrote the book of Revelation.

We started the day early, walking into town from where the boat was anchored, and found the bus taking us to the monastery on the top of the mountain.  As with a lot of places we visit, all of the kids attract a lot of attention and usually a very warm welcoming.  The bus driver was thrilled we had a big family, and with a "father-ly" wink, only charged us for Rachel and I.

The bus zig-zagged up the mountain, and dropped us off a small hike from the monastery entrance, and as we looked through the buildings, it was strange to reflect on the world-power that the Catholic Church has become.  This spot is the number 2 most holy spot for the Greek Orthodox Church and with all the strange paintings and icons everywhere, it felt anything but holy.  It just looked to us like a lot of religious legalism.  I’m sure there was some good intentions several hundred years ago, but as people were going around kissing paintings, it looked a bit lost to me.   We went from the monastery and hiked back down the mountain towards the Cave of the Apocalypse, the assumed site for John’s book.  Although it was still a lot of Catholic stuff, and people in there lighting candles, it was a bit more authentic, and pretty cool.  Lily and Zoe were funny because they were puzzled by the whole thing and just wanted to light candles and take them home.  Miles of course had no concept of being quiet, kept trying to make friends with people he saw, which was not hard for him and the Greek grandmas!  

We ended up hiking all the way back down the mountain, about 4 miles altogether, and back along the beach to Mehari.  When we looked back up at the top where we’d hiked from, Lily just couldn’t believe we’d hiked all that way.  She really had a sense of accomplishment afterwards and we were amazed at her (and Zoe), for no complaining!  

Rachel and I had our own ‘revelation’ that we are super proud of our amazing kids who have become great traveling companions and are just very thankful for this special time to be spending with them. We have been able to have some amazing conversations with our teenagers, maybe because we're all WAY out of our comfort zone, but we're certainly very grateful to share this time and experience with them.  We will NEVER forget these past 2 years, and can’t wait to see what else we come across and experience as we head West.  Sorry, enough nostalgia!