Prague Journal

Monday, September 20, 2004.

Because we started the day with a leisurely breakfast, we had few island options by the time we got to the port at Piraeus. Luck was with us, however, when we got tickets on the fast ferry – a hydroplane – to Aegina, the closest island to the mainland. The 45-minute trip was enjoyable and we had most of the day to stroll around the marketplace and see several ruins and distinctive churches. We got to the archeological museum shortly before it was set to close at 3pm, so we only saw the ruins outside. We followed a sign to the Christos Caprolos Museum, not knowing quite how far it would be nor what we would find. Hiking along the coastal road (“a very pleasant walk [of] 3 klms” according to the brochure) we reached the museum around 4pm and were told by a woman on a motorscooter that the museum was closed on Mondays but that she would be happy to let us in. In halting English she explained that artist and sculptor Christos Carprolos, for whom the museum is named, had recently died, having worked in Aegina up to 1993. A prominent statue of the artist’s mother (displayed on posters around town) reminded me of Mother Teresa, protecting the island from potential harm.
The walk down to the pier felt much shorter than the walk up to the museum, so we took time for tea (one of Rick’s favorite rituals). I had grilled octopus, which is one of the many forms of seafood in abundance at the coastal cafes. We returned to Athens on the 6:00 ferry and went to dinner at an interesting Greek tavern, recommended by Christos who mans the reception desk at our hotel in the evenings, who became our trusted advisor and friend.

posted by JWinn @ 7:33 PM