Foolish crew members

When we left the land of the Cyclopes, we sailed to the home of Aeolus, the ruler of the winds. Here, he gave me a bag containing all the winds. I did not share this information with any of my crew mate; the little they know, the better. Aeolus stirred the westerly winds to help us sail home to Ithaca, my dear Ithaca. It was almost in our reach, when the curiosity and jealousy of my crew mates took over. They opened the bag containing the winds which brought us all the way back to the beginning, the home of Aeolus. This time though, he would not help us. Those Gods and their grudges. At this point I was just done with my crew; I made them row towards Ithaca.

The land of the one eyed

The Phaeacians are so curious about my journey, so I tell them of my third hardship that I came across. After my crew and I left the land of the lotus eaters, we sailed through the night. We then reached the island of the Cyclopes, the one eyed giants whose father is Poseidon. That night we found wild goats that we captured and ate for a meal. We explored the mainland some more and came across a cave filled with sheep, milk and cheese. I did not listen to my men when they said to take some provisions and run, instead we stayed. We stayed until the owner of the cave came back, Polyphemus. In the beginning, he was very hospitable, but then he became violent and mean, ” We Cyclopes do not care about Zeus or any of your blessed gods, for we are ever so much stronger than they. I shall not spare either yourself or your companions out of any regard for Zeus, unless I am in the humor for doing so.” (Book 9) Also eating two of my crew and imprisoning the rest of us for future meals. I did not know what to do at that point. Polyphemus was the only one strong enough to move the rock. So we waited. I had to come up with a plan to get us all out safely. Finally, I figured a plan out. I found a large wooden stick and sharpened it. The following day, when he came back from tending to the sheep, we got Polyphemus drunk off the wine we brought. While intoxicated, he asks for my name and I replied with my name is “Nobody”. When he passed out later that night, my crew and I took the wooden stick and drove it into his eye. He kept crying out “Nobody is killing me!” (you see what I did there?). The other Cyclopes came hurrying to the cave but retreated when they heard that “Nobody” was hurting him. As Polyphemus was crying out in pain, we latched onto the bellies of his sheep and when they went out to graze, they took us with them. After we left the cave, we made it back to the ship, with the sheep in tow, and that was when Polyphemus came out. Then I revealed my true identity; the biggest mistake I made throughout my journey. The last thing I saw when we sailed away from the land of the Cyclopes, was Polyphemus raising his hands, praying to Poseidon.

The never forgotten fruit

My journey began after I left Troy, the wind took my men and me to the city of Ismarus, where my men plundered and attacked the city. Only until after, we were attacked back at, did we try to escape unharmed. Unfortunately, we lost six men that day. As we tried to get as far away from the city, a freak storm come out and dragged us near the land of the Lotus eaters. We gathered onto the mainland where the natives gave us the fruit of the lotus. It was like watching a moth go towards a flame. Having declined the fruit, I was able to keep a clear head, however once the fruit touched the mouth of my crew, they were goners.”They started at once, and went about among the Lotus-eaters, who did them no hurt, but gave them to eat of the lotus, which was so delicious that those who ate of it left off caring about home, and did not even want to go back and say what had happened to them, but were for staying and munching lotus with the Lotus-eaters without thinking further of their return” (Book 9) They forgot all about their quest to continue homeward; all they wanted to do was stay and eat the intoxicating fruit. The only way to get them back on track was to drag them back on the ship and lock them up.

Nosy, nosy

The Phaeacians want to hear about my journey and everything that I have been doing up to this point in my life. So I told them everything.

So the truth comes out

How things change so quickly. I went from hiding my true identity to having to spill everything that has happened to me in the past 10 years. It all started with the blind man, Demodocus and his singing. He began singing about the fight between Achilles and myself at Troy. The only thing was that no one knew that I, Odysseus, was in front of them the whole time. Everyone around me had grins on their faces, enjoying the song, while I could not take it any more. The king stopped the entertainment and began the games. Some young, over confident man challenged me join in the games, but after hearing the last song, I just could not. The conceited man then began to insult me and I just had to beat him to keep him quiet. Oh did I beat him. No one else wanted to challenge me in order to save themselves from the embarrassment. That’s when the king stepped in and asked that I join in for another feast. Now how could I refuse? Later on that night, I asked Demodocus if he could sing of the Trojan Horse and the effects of it. It brought me to tears. That’s when things changed quickly. The king asked who I really was, where I was from and where I was going. I could not hold back any longer.

Good news at last

So, Alcinous called this assembly to talk about giving me a ship so that I may return home. Guess what?! The notion was approved. Now we shall go and celebrate at the king’s palace, with a feast and games.

Assembly, assemble

Apparently the King, Alcinous, wants to call an assembly and it has something to do with me. Oh boy, I wonder how this is going to turn out.

What a strange turn of events.

I was on my way to the palace of Alcinous , the king of Phaeacians, when all of a sudden a strange young girl comes up to me. I was quite confused as she approached me. She was actually quite nice and offered to guide me to the palace; she also put a protective mist around me. She cannot be mortal; no mortal can do such a thing. She said that the mist would protect me against the Phaeacians, who dislike anything foreign. The mist worked, up until a point. When I reached the palace, all I saw were that the residents holding a festival in Poseidon’s honor; oh great. I searched the grounds and spotted the Queen and immediately threw myself at her feet. Just like that, my protective mist scattered. The funniest thing then happened, the King thought I was a God, but I set him straight, insuring him that I was a mere mortal without actually revealing my true identity. I told them about my problems and the situation that I was in and they promised me that they would get a ship to sail me to wherever I needed to go. When the King and Queen were alone with me, the Queen kept eyeing me. At that point, I really hoped that she wouldn’t come on to me. I’m happily married, trying to get to my wife for goodness sakes. Anyway, she questioned me on my clothing, claiming that she made those for her daughter Nausicaa. “Stranger, before we go any further, there is a question I should like to ask you. Who, and whence are you, and who gave you those clothes? Did you not say you had come here from beyond the sea?” (Book 7)I had to come clean, and I told her of my unfortunate journey from Calypso’s Island and how I came across their daughter. This is where things just get a little out of hand. The king then gave me his daughter’s hand in marriage. Nuts, right? I knew the people for less than 24 hours and they want me to marry their daughter; what nut jobs, ha.

Oh dear.

I sure hope that Nausicaa’s directions and advice help me out.

No clothes on my back

What a weird way to start off my day. This morning I woke up naked in the forest. I started to walk through the forest and came across some women playing ball. I pleaded for help. They were curious at first, but then one of the women, Nausicaa, leaves so that I could wash myself. I do not know how it happened, but after I finished washing myself, I looked like a new man. I was more handsome than ever. The woman from before, seemingly nervous, gave me directions to the palace. She told me how to approach the queen, Arete. I do hope everything goes well. I shall pray to Athena and thank her for this woman’s hospitality.