mount athos- day 2

So the day began pretty early, but not too bad. I was up at 5:30am and was packed and ready to go just after 6:00am. The romanian dude offered to wait for me, as he was going down tje same way. And the russian dude also wanted to come along. So off we went. We gota bit delayed (stuff forgotten) and so we made it to the bottom around 8am. For some reason, i was panicking, cause i thought we had less time than we did. The ferry was meant to leave at ten from st anna skete (a small monastic community that really isnt so small). The romanian guy went off to visit some romanian monks, and me and the russian continued on down. We stopped at a well for water. By this point, it was maybe after 9:15am. I could see that it was still a ways down to the water. But when we got to the main church of st. Anna, an english speaking monk welcomed us so nicely. So even though i had maybe 20 mins to get to the shore, i had to see the chapel and miracle working icon of st. Anna. Very beautiful. We had less than 15 mins to make it down. I aske the monk how long it would take. To my surprise, he said usually 30 mins. So in a made panic, we ran off. And even running down most of the way, it still took me till 10:12am. There was a boat just leaving, and i made a dash fr it, but, thankfully, it wasnt mine. The ferry was late. Praise the Lord! 15 mins later, we were on the way to Simenopetra monastery. The walk up was quite the long hike up. But absolutely beautiful. Ti had heard about the beautiful garden. I even saw a eucalyptus tree. Completely white bark. Finally got to the top. It was like paradise. And i would be surprised again and again when i would visit other monasteries. Physically, it was as if we were removed from the cares of the world. We made it to the guesthouse. We were offeres turkish delight (amazing, and bevause i really hadnt eaten yet that day, i think i ate at least five). There was also water, and shots of uzo (or however you spell that). It was the first friday of the great fast, but i figured, well, i cant let it go to waste now. Then they brought us in to a welcoming room. I met two americans there. I cant remember where they were from. But they were john and george, greek orthodox. I ended up sharing a room with them in the guesthouse. There was quite a long talk by an elder monk (all in greek), then supper (soup, and some vegetables) (the monks ay simenopetra only have one meal a day, at least during the fast, and many of the monks werent even at that meal). The iconography in the dinning room was just as beautiful as the church. After supper, we venerates the relics of the saints there (which i was allowed to do). But it was specified to me that because i was catholic, (or rather non orthodox), i was not allowed to receive communion or the blessed bread and water. We then had vespers. It finished around 6pm. The next services- matins and litirgy- would start at 4 am, so pretty soon it wojld be bedtime. The americans took m to see st. Simons cave, not far from the monastery. It was there, in that small cave, tht st. Simon lived. There, on Christmas eve, he saw the star appear and shine over the rock, and he heard that this would be the place where he should found a monastery. This is why simenopetra is dedicated to the nativity of Jesus. So, we were set to get 9 hours of sleep, but then had some theological 'discussions' with the two americans. Another short night sleep. But, Praise the Lord. Absolutely beautiful monastery.and that was day 2.