Yesterday was a long day, so I decided to sleep in today and then book a bus tour Wednesday to the Peloponnese – Corinth, Mycenae, Argos, Nauplia and Epidaurus. The tour book says a ‘Full Day.’ Indeed! Well, it turns out that the company is taking a day off tomorrow. No tours. So I booked a half day tour in the afternoon to Sounion. The bus trip is along the coast of the Sardonic Gulf and through some spectacular hills/mountains.

The real target of the tour was the Temple of Poseidon that overlooks the Aegean Sea. Poseidon is one of two important gods for the Athenians (Athena being the other). As god of the seas Poseidon was important to a city engaged in international commerce and at times international power politics in the Mediterranean world. Myth says that sometime in the misty days of prehistory, a contest was waged between Poseidon and Athena as to which would be the god of the city. Each god gave a gift – Poseidon gave salt; Athena an olive tree. Athena was declared the winner. For centuries Athens olive groves were the secret of her economic power. That olive oil was prized – and still is, for that matter. I mentioned the early Athenian coin in an earlier blog. In addition to Athena and her owl, the coins of Athens bore an olive branch. (It also has a crescent moon, which is another story.)

I returned to a supper of kebabs near the Acropolis museum. And some excitement. The restaurant has a bunch of shrubs in front of it. I happened to notice a guy with a big water bottle pouring water into the pot that held a plant. Next thing I know three big waiters take off after the guy and chase him across the street where they really gave him a beating. At first I wondered – is it so bad to water the plants? Then one of the waitresses retrieved the bottle from the shrubbery. Moral: Don’t litter in Greek restaurant shrubs. They really need signs: DON’T MESS WITH ΕΛΛΑΣ.

Today I did get some of the picture journals done for last week. Maybe I can get yesterday’s and todays done tomorrow. Since I can’t do a tour, I’ll probably spend part of the day seeing what I missed around the Acropolis. I’ll need to also figure out how I’m going to get stuff in suitcase, backpack and camera case. There is a lot more stuff than came with me.

Canicus Modius