As promised, we set aside the morning for a visit to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale. It would be an easy walk, twenty minutes on a sunny day. Out the door, one left, then another.
And there we were, greeted to a most unexpected site. It appeared most of Taranto had congregated in a single locale.
But of course, it was Saturday at the Market!
I had a flashback to the 60’s movie, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.
It was kind of like that.
The day before we’d gone looking for a grocery. Just a few basics - oranges, apples, sardines, bread, perhaps some chocolate. And we were nearly out of coffee. We found a couple of store fronts, but they were lacking. Now we knew why.
It was a cornucopia. A marvel of fruits and vegetables,
meats,
eggs
and cheeses.
An abundance of mussels,
and more.
The feast spilled out onto nearby streets. More fruits
and meats,
fresh fish,
clothing too.
We could have lingered most of the day, but having promised Pierre and Giuseppe, we couldn’t go back on our word.
Moving on, we arrived at the Museo,
anticipating our journey back through time.
And quite a journey it was, beginning with indigenous remnants circa 6000 BCE.
Later on the ancient Greeks arrived,
bringing with them their genius for beauty,
and gift for community within which the arts and sciences, philosophy, theater and music could thrive.
Near the end of our journey, we met a young man, Dominico. Four exams away from earning his law degree, he works part-time at the Museo. He needs the money, of course. More importantly, he has a deep reverence for the ancients and wants to absorb as much as he can before life takes over.
In a most unassuming way, he shared with us his notion of the Greek ideal.
“For the Greeks, the man will die,
but the ideal of the man will not. Picasso died, but the essence of Picasso lives on.“
”So it is with the sculptor, dancer, athlete, the charioteer,
even the lawyer, if he’s lived a life of principle.”
I asked Dominico if that’s what he hopes for his life.
“It is what I want for myself. In these times it will be difficult for sure, but I believe my ancestors will guide me.”
We would have liked to have learned more, but couldn’t tarry as our train would leave within the hour. Wishing Dominico the best, we shook hands and departed.
Walking to the Stazione, Pa was unusually quiet. I asked if he was troubled by something.
“I’ve been thinking of the young man, wondering if I lived up to the Greek ideal, for myself and those I tried to help.” I assured him he had, certainly in my eyes.
Along the way we observed others,
and wondered what it is that they want for themselves
and those they care about.
Hi Michelle. I think you‘ve characterized very well a typical American life. But how we tend to live does beg the question, doesn’t it. As you’ve alluded, it’s quite east to float along without ever confronting the basic truths. I don’t know if it’s always been that way, at all times and in all cultures, but it does seem to be the American way presently imposed on the rest of the world. It’s my belief that we need to get out of the box in order to adequately see the box we’re in. If we can do that, it’s possible to modify the box, or discard it all altogether. Take care. P.S. Eggs are much cheaper here, like m…
As I contemplate what you’ve shared here, take in your photography, the spectacle of the Super Bowl is blaring in the next room. Rihana just did her half time thing. The commercials are tying their best to be the funniest, most clever, make the most prolific statement ever (while selling you your next auto insurance policy). John is snoring on the couch. It’s a three point game. I am wondering how much a dozen eggs cost in Taranto. I was thrilled to pay less than $4 a dozen at the Aldi in Peoria (IL) the other day. And in the midst of this, yes, exactly what is it that we all want for ourselves and those we love? …