Monday, April 28, 2008
Book 22
Friday, April 11, 2008
Sea Perils and Defeat
After our dark and dreary trip from the Underworld, Odysseus, Aphrodite, myself, and the rest of the crew return to Circe's island. Exhausted, all of the men fall into an almost unconscious slumber. All of the men, except for me. While the men's (and Aphrodite) breathing becomes heavy and even, I have the most difficult time falling asleep. Something keeps digging at me and I cannot figure out what's wrong. Suddenly I realize that Odysseus is absent from the group. I jolt up from my spot and creep silently to the closed door where there is a stream of light coming from the crack below. Circe's bedroom. I place my ear to the door and I hear muffled speaking. Odysseus and Circe are discussing something. I don't want to eavesdrop but right now my conscience is telling me to listen. I hear Circe warning Ody about the dangers to come. She tells him that on his journey home, he will face many dangers. The first danger, is the Sirens. These creatures have beautiful singing voices which will make us give up and not want to continue home to Ithaca. Then, the sea divides into two straits. One which has beetling rocks and sparkling seawater and prowling rocks, and the other having two terrible monsters threatening to destroy the ship. Circe also tells Odysseus that we will coast Thrinacia, the island where Helio's cattle graze. We will want to eat the cattle, but we must not because there will be destruction for all the crew and ship if we do. I am in shock. Who would've known that this expedition will come down to this?
The next morning Odysseus tells us that we must set off to home. He tells us of the Sirens but nothing else. So far, it is only Ody and myself who knows about the dangers that lie ahead. Not to mention Circe. We set a sail and soon we came to the land of the Sirens. Odysseus quickly told the men that we were to put beeswax in our ears so we couldn't hear them. Then, he was extremely selfish and asked us to tie him to the mast of the ship so he could hear the Sirens. I began to pout because I didn't think it was fair. I soon forgot about fairness when we approached the strait in which Scylla was on one side of us, Charybdis. Terrified of what our fate was, Aphrodite, the crew, and myself retreated the the stern of the ship to stay alive, but not before six men were plucked from the ship by Scylla. Scared as we were, Odysseus showed his bravery and defeated the monsters so that we could journey on towards Thrinacia. There at the island, the men could not stopped themselves and treated themselves to Helio's cattle. Thank master Zeus the Aphrodite and I did not eat any, or we would've been destroyed by Zeus along with the rest of the crew! And then there were three of us. Odysseus, Aphrodite, and I, Andromeda. We set sail back to Ithaca so Odysseus could reunite with Penelope.
Thinking about embarking on your own journey to Greece? Take a look at this;
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Book 1- The Inspiration of the Muse
We have been travelling for ten years with Ody, seven of which we have been held captive the goddess Calypso's island. These have been the longest, hardest years of my life. After the long grueling years trapped on the island, with Athena's help, Odysseus is finally able to persuade Calypso to let us go. We sail away on a handmade raft into the Mediterranean Sea. Soon after, our raft is destroyed by the thrashing waves and storms. After that, my memory is just a blur. I remember being washed up alone on the shore in the land of the Phoenicians. I wandered down the beach in search of my crewmates, Odysseus and Aphrodite. Eventually we were reunited and we made our way into the town only to be confronted by King Alcinous. He threw us an extravagant banquet after hearing of our journey. Now it is time for you to hear of our journey.
"Sing me in, Muse, and tell me the story of that man..."
Enjoy readers...
PS: Getting hungry learning about our epic adventure? Here's a place where you can cook with the culture.
http://www.greecefoods.com/
Book 10--Circe + Our trip to come!!
This is "Moly" also known as the "Snowdrop" herb.
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/c/circe.html
Check out this link, for more on Circe, but be careful, and don't get trapped!!
Pronunciation:sur'-see
Etymology:
Falcon
Sunday, April 6, 2008
The Land of the Cyclopes
After the story that our good friend Odysseus told us, Aphrodite and I decided that it was time to set off on a real adventure. Luckily for us, 'ole Ody had something in mind. We aboard his ship along with the rest of his crew and set sail for the land of the Cyclopes. Unfortunately, a storm sent by Zeus docks us at the land of the Lotus-eaters. And you know Aphrodite and I, we were curious so we ventured away from the ship and into the land. Promptly we were approached by some of the villagers who offered a taste of the sweet Lotus. Well neither of us were going to turn down free food! So we went and had a taste and immediately we didn't want to return to the ship. I felt like I could stay on that island forever, eating the sweet and savory lotus. Aphrodite felt the same way. Thankfully Odysseus realized the trouble that we had gotten into and he dragged us back to the ship and locked us in a room until our senses came to us. Boy were we mislead!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Yummmy times with ODY!
Whoa today was a tiring long strech of our journey with Odysseus. We docked our boat at the "float stop" in Sparta. Ody told us a story of when Telemachus and Pisistratus arrived in Sparta and in the morning Menelaus expressed outrage at the behavior of Penelope’s suitors and encourages Telemachus by telling him that Odysseus is alive and a captive of Calypso. The tale ended in a suspensful way as if, "to be continued" as suitors plot to make it posible no matter what for them to be king, and they want Telemachus and Odysseus out of the picture! Missy and I ate and ate more and more of the delicious food as the story brought more suspence! We ate so much, Missy could barely stand up! Ha-ha!
Asparagus Soup
Artichokes and Seafood sandwiches
Bulbs
Cabbage and lentel soup
Carrots mixed with grains
Cos lettuce (Romaine)
Cress
Cucumber finger sandwiches
Fennel salad
Garlic wheat toast
Leeks
Squash (marrows)
Radishes
Wild celery and carrots
Origional Bergamot oranges
Classy Carobs
Faaaabulous Figs
Gorgeous Grapes
Joyfull Jujubes
Omazing Olives (yes, olives are a fruit)
Pretty Pears
Prim0 Plums
Phonominal Pomegranates
Wicked Quinces
Boarfish sandwich
Crayfish soup
Cuttlefish Slushie
Eels Tail Soup
Gray and Red Mullet Gumbo
Grapes and Grouper
Fried Octopus
Grilled Prawns
Ravin Rays
Sea bass breakfast
Sprats Special
Squid -- Calamari
Tuna Melt
Mint (My favorite!!)
Pepper
Oregano
Salt (Yummmmyy)
Saffron
Thyme
Eggs
Honey
Milk
Nuts
Olive oil
Snails (I wasn't so fond of this!!)
Vinegar
Honey mead (AMAZING!!)
Wine (hmm....)
reporting on her journey with Missy and Odysseus!