Day three of the Greek leg of the 2008 Olympic Torch Relay began in Ioannina under similar weather conditions as the previous day. The chilly temperatures followed the torch as it touched down upon the snowy town of Metsovo, stop number two on Wednesday, March 26.At 11:08 a.m., the Olympic Torch reached the mountain town, welcomed by traditional song and dance from residents braving the cold. Dressed in beautiful Greek costumes, the townspeople smiled at the world, reflecting the innate friendliness of the Greek culture.
After Metsovo, the torch continued on its journey through Greece, arriving in Grevena at 1:42 p.m. Amidst Greek and Chinese flags being waved in the air by crowds of excited onlookers, the Torch Relay went on without a hitch.
At 2:12 p.m., the Torch Relay picked up again to march towards its next destination 57 kilometers away: Kozani. In Tuesday's travels, this was perhaps the most unique stop in the Torch Relay route.
Why? The chicken that laid the egg.
The world remembers when Halley's Comet made its appearance in 1834. In that same year, a hen in Kozani laid an egg that stunned residents in the small town. The special egg's shell was imprinted with an image in the likeness of Comet Halley. The hen's owner donated the egg to Greece, receiving special honors for his gift. Today, Kozani is not only celebrated for its fascinating history, but also for its beautiful landscape.
As the day continued with the torch moving towards its last stop, Veria, the snowy surroundings were slowly replaced by clear blue skies. This change in scenery is interestingly reflected in the Greek flag, made up of blue and white. Some say that those colors represent the Greek sea and sky mixed with white clouds and waves. Others say the white refers to the snowy mountainous areas of the peninsula. Whichever the explanation, no one will deny the beauty of the country, presented to the world through the Olympic Torch Relay.
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