Varia-Report from the Road



Visited the Orthodox monastery, very much a work in process. Two monks in rural Florida. Very hospitable, offered us a Greek treat and water upon our arrival. Showed us to the bookstore where they had a wide array of books in Greek and English. One monk offered when we told him we were Catholic and not Orthodox, "You're people too." He then proceeded to give me what he perceived to be the difference between the Orthodox and Catholics--namely that they, the Orthodox, were more Orthodox. Later when the other monk arrived on the scene he was more reserved and stood off to the side, leading Amy to term that as "good monk, bad monk" of course, since the one that was very talkative may in fact have been the "bad monk" since monk aren't supposed to be talking non-stop.



Unfortunately, we did not get any pictures of Amy looking very middle Eastern--wrapped in cloth from head covering to toes. The talkative monk helped dress the women--which seemed to me to defeat the purpose of them dressing.



The monks rise at 12 midnight and pray the Jesus prayer along with whatever else their elder has prescribed for them to do. They also pray together at 5 a.m and again in the evening. Interesting stop along the road.



Now in Orlando, it is the daily grind of the CBA convention. The mega Christian trade show. Free books, Tammy Faye (Baker) Resner, John Hagee and the Hal Lindsey are encountered at every turn. On past visits I've found myself questioning the sincerity of faith present here. This time I find myself amused by some of the participants. I have seen Hal Lindsey in a wheel chair traveling the floor, then encountered him listening to Reggae while sipping a tropical drink awaiting the vacancy of the a table at a local hot spot.



It is all very interesting. Lindsey famous for his "The Late Great Planet Earth" one of the first in a line of books that predicted the end of the world, seems to be enjoying himself right up to the bitter end. I don't blame him, but I wonder if the Epicurean philosophy of "Eat, Drink and be Merry for tomorrow we die" is the same as "Watch, for the Son of Man comes when you least expect it," and the parable of the master returning while the servants are having a great time figuring he ain't coming anytime soon.



The high here yesterday was in the 80's, how's that for all you non-Florida people imagining this is the hottest place on the planet (the feel-like temp, something uniquely Floridian was 101 though).