Meanderings- Delos Island, Greece

I am still feeling inspired by all the wonder from our recent vacation.  One of my  favorite things was getting close enough to gently blow the dust from an ancient sculpture and  I imagine the same dust on an artist’s hands from over 3000 years ago.     To me it is the ultimate time machine.Looking at the partial pieces of sculpture, I also wonder if the artists got as triggered as I do  when accidentally breaking off a key piece of work. I imagine so but couldn’t it also be the alternate explanation to the missing arms/penises/noses of ancient statues?How do they KNOW it was the uptight Christians knocking off penises? Could be just an artist that can’t get the penis exactly right, or perhaps the removal of appendages is like the selfie editing of today “Eww I look awful in this lighting, take it again on my good side”.  So MAYBE even a famous sculptor such as  Alcamenes had to edit his creation like this:         We took a guided tour through the ruins and I was very pleased with the tiny yet loud archaeologist guide.  It always surprises me how many rude tourists seem to be missing out on the wonder of what we are experiencing. For example; a man pushed by knocking us off of the narrow path to get to, well, just ahead of all of us I guess.  G: “It’s been here thousands of years, I don’t think it’s going anywhere” Rocks that were stacked using no mortar outline walls that are still standing today. Guide: “If you see cement that’s where it has been repaired.”Arches that are are part of a water catchment system. Take a look at the keystones at the center of the arch in the picture below. Still as solid today as when the mason placed them there. While the guide weaves tales of antiquity, G & I  place our hands  on the cool marble stones.   With my back and hands against the marble and my face toward the sun  I swear I can feel the vibration of a thousand voices heard from  those who passed this very window.  Delos is the birthplace of Apollo who is also known as the god of light. Using the huge  local mica deposit on the island the walls sparkled in all directions.  It’s not hard to imagine approaching from the sea, buildings shining in the sun, a row of roaring stone lions leading the way to bustling shops and palatial structures.Someone asks the guide who these people were located in the middle of a group of houses. The answer is they don’t know. Not royalty, possibly a rich merchant’s family.  They were obviously very fashionable. We end up with a lot of free time after the tour and before the ferry returns. We walk the fringes of the Island where nature has reclaimed her rightful place covering man’s structures that may be lesser known or simply ignored.I  even found a couple of pretty little snails stuck on a wall. These Delos Island snails are super strong.  I couldn’t pick it off the wall which was probably best anyway for the snail.We climb as high as we can and overlook the layout of the island.And visit the temple while we were up thereWe venture down and dip our toes in the nearby sea. The water is cool and so clear.  It’s quiet except the soft waves. This  little part of the ocean was a crossroads for trade for thousands of years. This little part of the sea was a sole source of life.   Together in silence the two of us enjoy the complex history of this  place. and  reflect on the phenomenon when these places are abandoned and left to ruin.  Together we whisper to each other and express our awe of human creativity and the need to write it all down.This simple unique rock placement of the wall below  makes me so happy.Mosaic flooring, frescoes, sculpture & pottery have been recovered and preserved in the museum.   

We are grateful for the opportunity to visit.

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This collection: