current postcard

I collect postcards. I started long time ago when people used to send postcards from vacation! They are seldom now but the in-laws are the ones who never forget to send one when they are on the road. They were in Greece recently and they sent this postcard from a visit to the monasteries situated in the area of the holy Mt. Athos (2,030m), which includes 20 monasteries, 12 cloisters, and countless cells, cottages and hermitages. I found the following information on this page:
The Monastery of Xenofon: said to have been built in the 11 th century, is located on the western coast of Mt. Athos and is famous for its wooden screens and the mosaic icons of Agios Georgios and Agios Dimitrios.
The Monastery of Agios Panteleimon (Russian): founded in the 11 th century, destroyed in the 13 th and reconstructed in the late 18 th . It has a unique architectural style and includes excellent Russian Orthodox art. More info here.

Which brings back memories from Greece (I know, I was going to limit this post to the postcard, but never expect much coherence on this blog!). I have only been there once and the short visit was limited to Athens. What I remember the most is the day we visited the Parthenon - what a breathtaking view of the city! and an impressive moment to stand before such a monumental construction , it was like standing before History, if you know what I mean. It was a cold, rainy and windy sunday, all at once! in jan 2005.

Don't I look scary (like Snape, lol) on the left picture? mainly because I was wearing black , it was my black phase. Believe me, I am a friendly person and I look that way but I was freezing standing there waiting for Mr Mar to finally take the pic and the strong wind wasn't any help to make me look my best!