Eileithyian Cave - Diary of a Mad Blonde Boy 1.2

Ancient Women Walk Here-

The thoughts coursing through my mind were of  wonderment and curiosity at how women in the last stages of pregnancy six thousand years ago in ancient Minoan times could have made it up that rocky hillside to give birth in this sacred spot, when it was giving me, a youth in his early 20's trouble lied to a bit of soul searching.

Trying to have a Zen moment in which to commune with those ancient amazing women, I decided to just sit for a while and enjoy the view it offered of the local area.

"Afraid of the Dark, are we?"

After having given the local shrubs an in-depth inspection, I was wondering why my Aunt was just standing out in front of the cave entrance.

Scampering off my rocky perch to stand beside Aunty, there appeared to be a huge iron grill blocking the way into the cave itself. Diving into my messanger bag for my ever-handy guidebook, which after a consult revealed we had to go to the village and find the caretaker and beg the key to open and see the Cave itself.

All we could do was stand at the entrance and stare into the cave, and wonder what lies within its depths. Pondering  the course which this adventure had taken, wondering at how a Blonde American could do all the things that I done that day. Being able to conquer a language barrier in regards to a map that would have stumped most travelers. Walking the course of a most ancient pilgrimage, one inwhich the women of ancient times had taken up a steep path to give birth in a place of sacredness, in a place that was close to the Earth Mother.

Replaying this memory brings together thoughts of persistence, stubborn determination, and personally reminds me when things get rough and one gets a sore bottom, one can overcome with help from family and a little forethought, not to mention a wee bit of luck.

Here Come The Goats!

To end on a humorous note, right as my Aunt and I were about to leave the hollow, we heard a very strange barking. Perched about the rim of the hollow were 10 black and white goat heads staring curiously down at us. Appearing dazed myself, they turned as a unit acting and left like we were nothing of interest.

Being curious about how they got there, I climbed up over the hollow's rim for a better look.

As my head cleared the rocky rim, the Blonde light went on! Not a mere dozen feet from where we had parked the rental, was a broad goat trail of a level nature and apparently smooth too. Being a Blonde all my life I quickly admitted my past mistake to the world at large with an extremely loud sigh (earning me many a glare from the passing goats at having disturbed their grassy meal).

Helping my Aunt up and over the rocky rim, we went and did the smart thing of taking the goat path back to the rental, trying desperately to avoid the tiny pelts of goat poo that littered the path.

Driving back we discovered also the 'correct' route back which lead to a large paved road which took us all the way back into the city. Not a lot of talking took place on the ride back as we were both lost to our own thoughts..

**I have been back to Crete since this little outing, and love every minute I have the pleasure to be on that Island, Birth Place of Zeus**