Trip to Delos from Mykonos, Greece

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I got an early start because I needed to catch the ferry from Mykonos Town to Delos. Deke stayed behind at the hotel because his idea of sight-seeing is a private tour with a hired guide; I’m a bit hardier than Deke in this regard. I noticed that there were a lot of Americans on the ferry—commensurately more than I have noticed at The Myconian Ambassador Hotel. The ferry ride was pleasant, but crowded. After buying a ticket to enter the ruins, I saw the following sign regarding the rules: “It is strictly forbidden to: . . . .” We hardly ever speak so forcefully regarding rules in the United States. Maybe if we did, more people would obey them.

Delos has very rocky terrain, and I couldn’t see much plant life, though I noticed some lizards and cats around, who are allowed to roam freely. It seems that in Greece there is a communal effort in caring for animals, particularly cats. People don’t seem to get their feathers ruffled if a cat, which is not theirs, walks into their business or on their property.

According to the Delos brochure at the tourist office, there had been a cult in Delos since the Mycenaean period (about 1400 BC). Both The Odyssey and the Homeric Hymn to Apollo written about 700 BC refer to Delos as a famous religious center of the Ionians. Indeed, it did seem very religious to me; there are places on the Delos map like, “House of Dionysos,” “House of Hermes,” and “Temple of Hera.” Besides the ruins of which there are many, there is also an indoor museum with many interesting artifacts. I took more photos than read the informative signs. I have complained to my mother, “Mamma S,” that she takes way to many pictures when we go places. I saw her ask “The Count,” (my dad) to stop on a winding alpine road just so she could take a photo. The Count complied, but I was afraid the whole time that someone was going to hit us from behind. It looks like I have turned into my mother taking photos non-stop in new places.

The lovely shawl I bought in Mykonos Town is lost. I dropped it somewhere on Delos. So far, no luck in finding it. If someone stole it, I hope that they give it as a gift to a deserving person. I have to face, however, that Deke may be right; I can’t keep track of my things.

I spoke German with a nice couple on the ferry returning to Mykonos Town. It was good to speak with them because I don’t speak German very often. We had quite a long conversation. Just a note, I haven’t regretted one minute of the time I have spent learning a language; it has paid off for me. I think that people appreciate it when you try. I learned a little Greek, and the people have responded warmly. Deke is practicing his Greek as well. I figure, at the very least, I will entertain them with my American accent.

Regarding my study of Aristotle’s Ethics, In Book II, he states, “So then, whether we are accustomed this way or that straight from childhood, makes not a small but an important difference, or rather I would say it makes all the difference.” He was a child psychologist as well it seems, and was ahead of his time

Mom and Dad, thanks for teaching me the good stuff. Aristotle believed that you set me on the right path to Virtue, and I need all of the help I can get.

Yasas,



Monique

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