A GREEK ODYSSEY: My grandmother was born when travel was by horse and carriage and lived to experience jet planes. I never ceased to be amazed by the easeful transformation of time and space experienced through air plane travel. This podcast shares our experiences of this in Greece and Ireland.
The Odyssey Starts
We wake up in another world and I remember
at 10 years old I was supposed to learn
This strange language with hieroglyphics
now everywhere on unintelligible street signs.
As quickly as possible we leave
The sounds and smells, of a hot crowded city
onto the 4 hour train to Thessaloniki
entertained and educated by a fellow traveller.
Permanently disappointed by Greek politicians
She revels in this country’s well earned freedom,
Its history, mythology and culture of joyful optimism
We are better prepared for the experiences to come.
Tired and happy in Thessaloniki
a bright friendly coastal town
our first delicious greek meal
in a bustling outdoor restaurant.
Climbing the stairway to heaven
sleep comes easily
even as the thumping disco music
reaches up into our room all night.
Walking around through centuries of history
roman ruins, byzantine churches,
ancient greek columns
The relaxed outdoor cafe
overlooking the archeologists
carefully revealing roman mosaic floor.
The powerful fresh lemonade
puckers my lips
as a sugar packet makes me smile
with these messages :
The beauty around us,
Things that have stories.
Moments that have meaning,
Objects that inspire.
Our hotel signs delight too:
Not now,
disturbed enough
we are time traveling
Warning in the elevator
4 persons max, or
1500 kalamaki sandwiches
302 3 month kittens
5 baby giraffes.
Enjoying museums that tell stories
of changing occupiers and cultures
churches with saints' relics
icons embedded with gold and silver.
Ending our wondering days in the family restaurant.
unimaginably delicious fresh salads
sparkling, freshly caught grilled sardines
delightful greek wines and cool beers,
We leave Thessaloniki reluctantly
heading for the bigger city.
ISLAND MEMORIES
Brilliant bleach-white boxy houses
jumbled into anti-pirate mazes
Now Mykonos is hedonists heaven
where partying nights never end
Bright purple bougainvilleas
multicolored doors and doorframes
strolling cats and corner churches
old men puffing outside tavernas
Ever friendly and helpful
warm hearted and relaxed
narrow car free alleys
preserve time and space
where we are free of busyness
to hang out in Aegean sun and wind
In Minos, the spontaneous generous ride
hanging onto Spiro’s motorbike
over the hills back to the beach cafe
my shorts still lay there with ID and money.
No hesitation no expectation of reward
just helping out the forgetful panicked tourist
there is warmth in the greek sun and people
as clear as the Aegean water.
The gentle reassurance
we all make mistakes
we all forget things now and then
drink up and enjoy being here
In the ancient land of Greece.
MAGNIFICENCE AND MYTHS
Democracy
Medicine and
The Hippocratic Oath
Asklepios god of healing
Hygeia and Panacea
The holy snakes
The Oracles of Delphi
The Olympic games
Tragedy and comedy
Great amphitheatres
Oozo and Retsina
Wash it all down
Mythology and history,
Part of a great mystery
many temples to Zeus
Apollo and Athena
Monuments to visionaries
Artists and builders
Statues of philosophers
emperors and politicians
Artworks in stone fell apart
With Earthquakes and invasions
Fluted columns tumbled
As the civilization crumbled
Later
Above the plains of Thessaly
The monasteries of Meteora
Monks and Nuns suspended in air
Prayers and chants echoed there
Romans and Turks Left their mark
never dampening the peoples spark
A Hundred years ago Greece broke free
Once Again to recreate democracy.
©MartinStrasmore2022