The dream of a child can be as contagious as endearing, and that's how my son Luis we infected the whole family the illusion of knowing Ithaca, the homeland of Odysseus, protagonist of the first great adventure story of Western literature: "The Odyssey".
"When you set out on your journey to Ithaca
must pray that the road is long,
eventful, full of experiences.
Always keep in your soul the idea of ??Ithaca:
get there, here you've destination…”
(Ithaca, by Konstantinos Kavafis)
Even the small island arrived after an unforgettable journey through different places in Greece. Ithaca was our destination, Ithaca 28 the 29 June, second day (o noche, in our case) the terrible strike, what made our first vision was that of a city that seemed under siege.
Ithaca awaited us calm and collected, alien to anything we had seen before. The arrival on the ferry from Patras was the beginning of a myriad of sensations. Greek mythology knows. We came from Corfu, land of the Phaeacians, the island where Ulysses had found asylum and hospitality after shipwreck. There, the king of Ithaca were delighted with their stories to their hosts, King Alcínoo and daughter, Princess Nausícaa, who provided a ship and treasures for his return. Also we came to Ithaca by sea, as it should be, not least because there is no possible alternative. We loaded and unloaded at various ports along the journey, but none as unique as the Ithaca Pisaetos.
The ferry coming from Patras fails to Vathy, capital of the island, but the "port" Pisaetos, after calling at Kefalonia. This port is reduced to a simple clearing where there were three taxis and tourism, shed a kind of work that served as port office and travel agency, a canopy that serves as a waiting room for visitors (locals take flight upon arrival) and a caravan that sold water and sodas, the "duty free" port. The image Pisaetos, course, not announced what we would see later, as close to, the other side of the mountain.
Greek mythology knows. We came from Corfu, land of the Phaeacians, the island where Ulysses had found asylum and hospitality after shipwreck.
Vathy is a town that embraces a beautiful bay. Quiet and cozy, surrounded by mountains dotted with olive trees, and sounds of cicadas chirp day and night. Vathy faces the sea and wraps, so does yours. Search, the beach DEXA, in which as have and so we like to believe to those who visited, sailors Phaeacians left Odysseus, asleep and only. There, Goddess Athena gives his help again, giving the appearance of an old beggar and contributing to the wily Odysseus deception, to achieve his goal and kill the suitors who harassed during his absence to the wise Penelope, his wife. All these episodes are easy to imagine when you're in Ithaca, that has a special spell on its visitors. Dexa precisely agree with Colombian marriage and two children, who despite not knowing anything about the hero of the Odyssey before arriving and had been on the island long enough to sense her presence, the presence of Ulysses, Odysseus for the Greeks.
Different and unique, Disappoint in Ithaca, especially if it's inside some of its flavor disembark mythical past when it. The spirit of Ulysses, King of Ithaca, Trojan hero, breathe in the atmosphere of the island. Although various theories survive, now it seems that has not been proven that there are archaeological remains of his "palace" or tracks that demonstrate his reign, but it is nice to believe that happened there, in that land and in that sea, as described by Homer in his work. It is romantic to imagine Penelope, which makes and breaks, as the faithful and patient wife who awaits the return of her husband, Ulysses, fiel a su patria, not so much to his wife. Somewhat more difficult is to understand the ambition of many suitors to seize so poor reign. Meanwhile, Ulysses desire to return home late inside, while dreaming in the arms of the seductive Calypso, Nymph gives forever stay beside, away from Ithaca.
Seems that it was Calypso the only female in which Ulysses found comfort over their long journey, before the reunion with his beloved wife, something incomprehensible to me and I guess for most of the wives of the XXI century. But history book a happy ending.
The Return of Ulysses
Ulysses, specialist lies and false stories and charming able to narrate, finally returns to his homeland after twenty years of absence. With the help of his protective, Goddess Athena, has hatched a new deception. Once inside the palace, posing as a poor beggar, shows off his skills on arc contest organized to Penelope's suitors. Only Ulysses, after appearance of a beggar, has enough strength and skill to tighten the bow string and through with an arrow the iron rings of twelve axes followed, to the astonishment of the suitors and under the watchful eye of his son Telemachus, who knows that it is his father. After this demonstration, able to end once and for all with the suitors and returns to the arms of his wife Penelope, the patient and faithful Penelope. Ulysses, King of Ithaca, son Laertes, husband of Penelope, father of Telemachus…
Despite its tranquility and its attachment to a great literary past, Ithaca does not live outside the world. Turn your back on its neighbor Kefalonia and closes on itself, but receives visitors every day and every night, landing in the bay of Vathy, walk through its streets, relate to its inhabitants, and dine in their restaurants beautifully maintained. Restaurants and bookshops seem to be the star of the village shops. Ithaca is proud of its literary load. Ithaca, editions and languages (none in Spanish, certainly) appeared in every corner.
Ithaca is an island for the senses. It seems a whim of the gods, strangled by anger of Poseidon or Zeus himself the ray. Its shape is rebellious and field, abrupt. But, transmits calmness and serenity. Ithaca breathes under a blue sky and sea embracing lives, the Ionian Sea, the sea in Greece. I can only feel that the room had to be as short, but in our case travel, they always end in sight and limited time. I think the four of us remain engraved in your memory forever memory, especially Luis, It is maintaining its image as Ítaca best of our trip. And Laura, my oldest daughter, insatiable reader, that caught the mythical spirit of the island and felt like a small Greek goddess in all its glory. For those of you with children: nourish their dreams. And those who do not: nourish yours. The point is not to give up dreaming…
The trip
The road
Ithaca is not a tourist destination and, therefore, does not have the usual own infrastructure for this purpose. You can only reach it by sea, since it is so small (96 km2) and so abrupt that does not meet conditions (I guess even less budget) for an airport.
Once Athens (flights from Spain to the capital are common helena) we can Patras Train the bus (three hours). From hence we took a ferry heading to Ithaca (some 4 hours, with scale in Cephalonia) Company Strintzis Ferries, which runs Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca twice daily (12:30 and 20:30 hours). The ferry leaves at 12:30 no llegar a Vathy, capital Ithaca, who is a Pisaetos (in this case it is necessary to take a taxi then, it is not merely a pier). More: www.strintzisferries.gr.
A nap
The Hotel Mentor is in a privileged, in the center of Vathy, directly facing the bay. The rooms are simple but the views, wonderful, and staff, very nice, than offset.
A table set
How not to! the restaurant Tsiribis, mentioned Javier Reverte in his book "Heart of Ulysses. A Greek trip ". There we find Dimitris Molfesis, its owner, a real character, who would move greetings writer. We found the restaurant in a totally casual way. Four touring afternoon, looking for a beach to take a dip in the waters of the Ionian, when either of the people, saw a nice restaurant with tables lined the seashore. We found it perfect for a stop and drink, when suddenly…… ¡Tsiribis, Dimitris restaurant! What a coincidence, we had found it before we even start looking! Inside Curioseamos, with walls full of pictures alluding to past Ithaca, its people and its visitors, and outer, with perfectly manicured details. That same night, dined there, on the terrace, Wind protected, in a warm and welcoming.
Beside us, unos chatted with Italian Dimitris familiarity with, which it made it clear that customers were regulars. Dimitris invited us to a delicious Greek dessert with honey braised, we enjoyed ourselves happy before a souvenir photo and return to our hotel. The next day, while we are touring bike through the streets of Vathy, welcome back to Dimitris, he was on his bike, without a helmet of course, like the rest of Greeks.
Highly Recommended
-Before organizing the trip recommend read "Heart of Ulysses", Javier Reverte. If after reading it you do not feel the urge to travel to Ithaca, it is best to choose another island.
-Once in Ithaca have to buy a copy of "The Odyssey" in some libraries of the island to return to enjoy the adventures of Odysseus in his homeland.
-Taking a bath in the Ionian Sea.
-Have a beer "Mythos" at any tavern in town.
–Watch the sunset over the bay of Vathy, while the port is filled vessels.
