Kosmás, Peloponnese, Greece – 2/2014
Driving north towards Mycene and Corinth, we could have followed the freeway, but we had read in one of our guidebooks about the little alpine village of Kosmás on the coastal route. It was a pretty easy choice.
Heading into the Párnonas Mountains, the tortuous two-lane road was very steep. Second and third gear travel really suck up the fuel. Crossing a pass at 1150 m, (3772 ft), we encountered dense fog. Fortunately the traffic was light. As we came to a 90° corner, we almost passed the tiny village of Kosmás in the soupy mist.
Parking next to the church, the place had a mystical feeling. A huge Plantain tree, over 100 years old according to the plaque, dominated the small plaza. Taverns were all empty, but in summer, this could be a very enjoyable place to cool off and hang out for a few mezas, (hors d’ourvres), and a cold ouzo.
Monika started a quick cup of coffee while Gary investigated the little village in hopes of finding some cookies. Sure enough, he found this cute old lady and her husband in a tiny cluttered general store. A potbelly stove gave warmth to the gloomy day. They did have cookies, and he headed back to get Monika so she would not miss a local experience.
Returning to the store, the old lady welcomed us with a friendly smile and herded us next door where she had homemade jams & cookies, canned olives and honey for sale. She was a charmer and a determined saleswoman. She knew one English word: “honey”. She explained how she gathered the olives, sliced & pickled them and tempted us with samples of her homemade cookies. We left with an armload of goodies. The olives were plump and juicy.
With full cups of hot coffee, we headed back into the fog. Our GPS gave us a forewarning of what the road looked like. Views over the edge to the turquoise river were beautiful. High on a cliff above, an old monastery clung to the rocks. Why do they build these places of worship in such absurd locations?
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- A huge Plantain tree, over 100 years old according to the plaque, dominated the small plaza.
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- The tiny cluttered general store had all the basics, including cookies.
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- A potbelly stove gave warmth to the gloomy day.
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- This well used scale for weighing dry goods dominated the countertop.
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- The old lady was a real charmer and a determined saleswoman.
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- These old-timers were clearly survivors of good time and bad times.
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- The mist-covered plaza had a mystical feeling. Our PIAA fog lights helped cut through the fog.
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- Our GPS gave us a forewarning of what the road looked like.
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- Tires, brakes, the clutch, and especially steering components were constantly abused. We were extremely glad we had our Lee Power Steering overhauled and upgraded before we left.
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- The view over the edge to the turquoise river below was impressive.
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- An old monastery clung to the rocks high above us. Do they build these places of worship in such absurd locations to keep their inhabitants away from the sins below?
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