Rhodes on St. Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick’s Day, 2007. But no sign o’ the wearin’ o’ the green here. It’s all the blue of the deep blue sea.

Bouganvillias are in bloom, rich in that luscious color. The Island of Rhodes today. A place where St. Paul stopped briefly as he hopped, skipped, and jumped from Corinth to Jerusalem on what would prove to be his last visit to his natal land.

Bus with guide takes us 20 miles south to Lindos. We hike up to another acropolis, where there is an overlay of ancient cultures. The Hellenic ruins peak through via an outdoor set of stairs, barely visited. This ouwl have led Paul up to the temple of Diana at the top. It is bein reconstructed now, incorporating some original elements still extant. Once again, the view of the azure sea is stunning. There is also a Byzantine church with a perhaps 40 foot section of the walls still reaching for the sky. And lastly there is a fort built by crusaders in the 13th century.

It’s quite a hike up here. So Marilyn opted for the donkey lift that takes you most of the way up. Jackie decided she would take the trip down for 5 euros.

Well, the donkeys are not too thrilled about their lot in life. I take video of Jackie mounting the small brown beast. Behind her are a couple of women who really need Jennie Craig, if you know what I mean. The last one suddenly finds herself rolling off onto the ground. The saddle was unequal to her, I guess, and did an earthward rotation. Helped to her feet, she seemed OK. But she got her money back and took the walking path. I saw her sitting to catch her breath later. “Are you OK?” “Yes—just a bruise or two.”

Meanwhile Jackie is heading down. But they guy holding the rope keeps looking back and the other Mrs. Lard, whose donkey is leaning against Jackie’s for support, nearly pushing them off the trail—which in places is near the cliff and there are no guard rails.
I got down to the village first and filmed Jackie getting off. “You OK?” “I guess so—I’ll tell you about it in private after I get some coffee to help shake off my shakes!” A coffee/chocolate Nescafe later and she has regained some composure. Jackie is always jolly about things. This is no exception. But it could have been a real train wreck.

From the acropolis we can see a “lake” whose inlet from the sea is so narrow it’s not visible to us. Tradition has it that the ship on which Paul was sailing was being pursued by a vessel (pirates?) and managed to sail into this 20 acres “pond” until the other vessal was way downwind. That’s a new one to me. But—you never know….

Afternoon is free time. It’s but a five minute walk back to the bazaars, which are teeming with people. Jackie is looking for a rug for her living room. In one shop there is woman on a bench before loom, hand-weaving a carpet. It can take one or more years for her to complete one of the larger rugs. The show-woman presents several rugs that Jackie is interested in. A mere 500 euros for about 7x9. (Free shipping.) Gorgeous patters, colors. She takes a business card, needing to think about it. Kinda tough to return if it doesn’t go with the décor and the couch!
The day is topped of by a show of Greek dances by some of the crew. Great music. At the end a couple appear in wedding attire. They had been married on board by the captain a day ago. So she throws her bouquet here to eager wanabe.s. “Now for the wedding waltz,” the emcee says. “No! – play the _____!”

Well this couple was the best of show! Reminded me a flamingo dancing—you know the ones those pink birds do down in Florida. Same level as you see on TV dancing competitions.

All that was lacking on this St Paddy's Day was a Cranton blowing the conch shell. But then, this is Greece!