Thinking Allowed: Rhodos

Once upon a time the gods (Greek ones) won a battle against the Titans. In the post-battle party on Mount Olympus, Zeus doled out the land won between all the gods. Helios, the sun god, was not there and missed out on receiving any land of his own. So, Zeus promised him the next piece of land that rose from the sea. Helios thus received Rhodes, a beautiful piece of land that sprouted in the Mediterranean. Helios was elated and blessed the island with all his radiance. Radiant it still is.

Here we are enjoying the sunshine and blue waters of Helios'. The children adored our overnight ferry from Athens so much that Sophia has taken to using her spare internet time to find cruises or boats that her parents might take her on. We liked getting off a ship and trudging through the medieval and extremely well fortified old town of Rhodes with our luggage. Well, except the dragging the luggage bit. We have conquered the old town in numerous ways - exploring its castle, getting lost in its intestinal alleys, walking its perimeters, running through, looking down on it from the greenbelt outside its moat, and walking around in its moat. We all agree, surprisingly, that our favorite part is the moat. Imagine how horrified the Knights Hospitaller would be to hear that the part of their city used to catch sneaks and enemies has become the coveted walking and play area for locals and tourists! But the green grassy area is car-free, the high walls offer a solid protection from outside noise and activity, and there is so much space to freely run and play and so many tunnels to explore. Sundays the moat is full of picnicking families, birthday parties, dog walkers, and soccer games.

We have walked to the acropolis of Rhodes, walked in the new town of Rhodes, walked the whole coastline around the city of Rhodes, walked to a great homemade workout park, walked out to to farther beaches and a church in a cave, walked up a hill to a monastery, walked to the park nearby over and over again...

We all like Rhodes. This city has a lot of history and character. From an epicenter of Greek wisdom and education, to the mighty Colossus of Rhodes, to a home base for knights, a center of trade and activity, to a mecca for tourists. It is a jewel that has been passed hand to hand from so many people - gods, Greeks, Ottomans, Italians, Germans, Turks. How has this little island played such a big mighty role all the time? It must be blessed by the gods.