Exiting, I look at the clock and decide to head to the ruins, hoping to find more shops on the way. I hop on my bike and pedal again.
Going south, it takes me almost an hour to reach the ruins, but all the effort is worth it.
Wow!
It's bigger than anything I've ever seen. A small feeling of excitement blooms in my chest as I near the ruins. There arealready crowds of people walking around, some taking pictures, others having a personal guide explain the historical context.
I'm in awe as I put one foot in front of the other, my response automatic. I find a spot to secure my bike, and taking my bag with me, I start along the nondescript walls, waving my hand along their surface and feeling their texture, age, and history.
Ancient people must have touched this too!
My mind immediately screams at me, and I become even giddier. God, I've lost count of how many times I've imagined myself living in those times, falling asleep with a book that depicted the myths of the Greeks or the Romans. I'd read Homer, Herodotus, Thucydides, Cicero, Ovid, and Marcus Aurelius, and my thirst for this wonderful and yet departed world had known no bounds. To be here… to touch this… it's simply too much. I haven't even reached the main attractions, and I feel this overwhelmed with emotion.
I make my way further, getting lost in a throng of people. A smile plays at my lips. This is so mundane, yet for me, it's so special.
I feel normal.
Stopping with the crowd, I stifle a gasp, my eyes wide as they take in the wonder in front of me. Rusty yellow-orange, the Temple of Concordia stretches before me in all its splendor. One of the best-preserved ancient temples, it's built in a Doric style. The major difference with this temple is that it's built entirely from clay instead of the usual marble. I stare open-mouthed at it, taking in every detail, soaking in the grandeur of being here.
I feel so small… so insignificant as I look upon it. How many people's plights has it witnessed over the centuries and millennia it's been here? All my problems and my impending doom fall away as I stay rooted to the spot.
Somehow, I make myself walk, and I keep admiring all thesewonderful constructions of humanity until I reach the other temple—the Temple of Hera. The columns are the only ones still standing, but it's enough to give an idea of what the temple would have looked like in its heyday. Hera… my lips curl up at the irony of the situation. Hera, the goddess of marriage and birth. If only I could reach out and beseech hernottoblessme with marriage. I shake my head at the notion, trying to put those thoughts out of my mind. I shouldn't waste time thinking about the inevitable, not when I have more important things to do.
Before leaving, I spend an hour in the museum, trying to see every single artifact. Reluctantly, I make myself leave, knowing that time is of the essence. It's almost four in the afternoon, and I have to account for the time it will take me to return home.
I go back to my bike, and studying the map again, I follow the signs to go to the port.
Funny how I've been living here my entire life, but I've never seen the sea. The moment I see the two shades of blue meeting at the horizon line, my eyes tear up a little. Once again, I feel like I could do anything.
This freedom… it's intoxicating, and I fear I'm getting drunk on it. Marcus Aurelius would certainly frown upon it, but for once, his philosophy isn't working for me. Ineedthis to be happy. And now that I've tasted this freedom, I fear I may never be the same.
I leave my bike in a secure location and start walking, trying to memorize everything. There are shops, restaurants… everything. I can't even decide what I want to do first. I spend one minute mentally debating what my first destination should be. Eventually, I decide on going to the beach and dipping my toes in the water—literally. I don't know how to swim, so I'll settle for that.
People are sunbathing, dressed in almost nothing. My first instinct is to look away, embarrassed, but since it's normal forthem, I put on a show of false confidence and go forward. There are even naked men… even more so than the guy on the cover. My cheeks must be burning red, and I try to look anywhere but. I doubt a boy would react like that.
I focus on getting to the shore, and I take off my shoes. I tentatively step onto the sand, amazed at the feel of fine pebbles under my feet. The heat from the sun gives me a pleasant tingle. I take a few steps, and right at that moment a wave crashes onto the shore, the foam slowly creeping in. It reaches my feet and I wiggle my toes at the foreign feeling. A giggle escapes me, and I suddenly dash forward, rolling my pants up to my knees. I go into the water until it reaches my shins, all the while grinning like a fool.
This!
This is life!
Holding on to my shoes, one in each hand, I raise my face, eyes closed, and just let myself feel. The water is hitting my legs, tickling me with the little debris it brings forth. The sun is enveloping me in its warmth, and the wind brushes against my skin in a sweet caress. My smile widens as I tune everything else out.
It's just me… and the sea.
I don't know how long I stand like that. I must seem crazy to everyone else. But they don't know that I'm dancing to my own mental tune, and for once, the outside reflects the inside.
It's only when some kids pass by me, laughing loudly, that I'm once again brought back to earth.
I check my watch and sigh in disappointment at how fast time is passing. Gathering my wits about me, I exit the water, going to one of the showers to wash the sand off before putting on my shoes.
I wander again, trying to choose a restaurant for dinner. A seafood one catches my attention, and I can't help myself. I want to try something new, and that seems to be a good choice.
A server seats me at a table and takes my order. It doesn't take me long to decide, and after doing some quick math on how much money I have left, I order one of each. I won't make the same mistake I did at lunch, but I will have a bite of everything.
The dishes trickle in, and I'm enjoying myself immensely. The next is better than the last. I'm so deeply focused on my food paradise that I take a second to register what I'm seeing.
A couple of men dressed in black are across the street. They look tense as they scan their surroundings. When one looks in my direction, I gasp.
