We woke up to the sight of groups of men (Russians we think) with backpacks marching through Ouranoupoli on their way to the monasteries of Mount Athos. So we established that we could take a three-hour boat trip along the side of Mount Athos peninsula to see the monasteries – the boats are not allowed closer than 500 metres (the danger of female pollution, we guess). Given that it’s very much the end of the season, we were surprised when a busload of tourists surrounded us on the boat, all very excited. And then we noticed that not only were the women all wearing skirts and scarves, but these guys were with them:
We joked about monks having to come on board to sell us things. And then we stopped before the first monastery and a speedboat came zooming along to draw up alongside the boat!
The tour party was, by this time, all gathered below deck. A ceremony involving the senior priest and lots of icons was taking place with singing and much kissing of the icons. The other priests were setting up and then running a shop – we didn’t get anywhere near any of this because it seemed a bit crowded and fervent.
The monks stayed on the boat while we sailed by various monasteries and, when we returned to their monastery, we spent some time waiting for the speedboat to come and get them. And off they went, with the tourists very happy and their pockets much lighter. We arrived back an hour late!
Woman bad
Money of woman good
So true, so sadly true….
20% discount on the moncs’ merch – holy moly, that’s a bargain. iCon, the latest in religious wealth-creation apps? And did you try the srecial ice cream? Was it green? SREC = solar renewable energy credit.
Broadly, no, no and no. Love the iCon idea. Agree about the 20% discount but you need to know the starting point, I think? I remember trying stretchy ice cream with you in Istanbul….
All a bit of a surprise, eh? Rather crass…
Indeed! Not really a surprise – have always had my doubts ( DOUBTS!!!???) about the patriarchy. Patriarchy plus selling trinkets particularly trying….
Sounds positively medieval (apart from the speedboats!) – you practically expect them to be selling indulgences.
Well, they may well have been selling indulgences. There was a lot of list writing and stuffing twenty euro notes in envelopes going on. M and I didn’t even attempt to pay by card..