[Seiblybiozy]

Thank you Andreas, but I already know my mental fantasies of the Mountain will be shattered as soon as I step on land. I have read and read and read some more on anything related to the Mountain. I still have my preconceptions that will drastically change when I SEE it.

My mind envisions a mile tall cartoon looking Theotokos standing on the Mountain protecting it standing on a cloud as in the icon I have on my desktop at home. It shows each monastery an inch from each other and the summit just a hillock. On my office desktop, I have an actual phtograph of the summit from some 7 miles away. OMG it is big. I have a little map taped to my desk right here next to the monitor. It looks like the monasteries are touching each other.

I have read how dangerous the terrain is between them. Even Google Earth does not really represent what is there. I can't wait to have my fantasies shattered. I intend to keep a detailed diary and photolog. Perhaps if I can figure out how to set up a website, Matthew will link to it?

graciously,
Paul