Second Week

We decided to stay put in Crete for another week: We have a nice quiet secluded condo with maid service for a very reasonable price, and we reevaluated our island hopping ability. Last time we were in Greece we were 10 years younger and we are noticing the difference. We are eating a lot of greek yogurt with Cretian honey; greek salads which consist of tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese and olive oil, and gyro's. We could get a meal plan at the condo, but eating locally is so much more fun. We've rented a car so can still drive around when we want to.

We've been in touch with a missionary in Athens. They are in the states now so we won't be about to connect with them, but they did say that there was a church plant in Crete so that will be our goal this week - to try to connect with them.

The island of Crete was first occupied by the Minoans from 2600BC to 1000BC; these are some of the ruins we say in Knossos. In 1450BC the volcanic eruption of Santorini destroyed much of that civilization with it's tidal waves. Crete entered its Greek period with the arrival of the Dorians around 1100BC and there was a progression towards the worship of the Greek pantheon. The Roman attacked the island in 71BC under Mark Anthony. Christianity developed and spread and many churches were built. The Arabs attacked in 824AD and occupied the island until the Venetians took the island in 1204AD who tried to dissolve the Orthodox Church. In 1669AD the Turks invaded and ruled for 200 years with unprecedented and annihilator oppression of the native inhabitants. The Greek revolt began in 1821 culminating in 1913 with unification with Greece. With the exchange of populations the last Moslem inhabitants left the island.

Because of its topography the mountainous areas were not effected by many of the invasions, leaving a tough, rugged people, who have learned to survive in the villages with small gardens, goats and sheep.

Today they cater to tourist, like us, driving through the villages selling honey, coffee and herbs. It's typical when driving through these villages to see older men sitting in the coffee shops or just sitting around. I wonder where the women are; probably worn out from doing all the work.

Also, one of their claim to fame is that Zeus was born on this island, so it must be special.