Day 16 - Knossos and Arolithos

Hello everyone! It’s Emma and Kate on the blog today. We had an eventful day exploring two great cultural sites of Crete. Our adventures today also had us asking what happiness looks like to us individually and reflecting on our own traditions.  

We began the day on an early, but quick bus ride to the Minoan Palace of Knossos. Knossos or “knowledge” was built about 4000 years ago in the Bronze Age. This was even before the construction of the Parthenon in Athens. The construction is truly a marvel. We also learned from Lena about the two forms of written language before the use of the alphabet. Looking heavily influenced by Egyptian hieroglyphics, these forms are linear A and linear B. We encountered symbols like these and more at Knossos. We regularly came across stone blocks carved with the symbol of double axes which represent double power. This symbol translates to “labris”, or more familiarly, Labyrinth. The Palace of Knossos is the location and origin of the Greek myths surrounding Theseus, The Minotaur, even Dedalus and Icarus. It became clear when walking around the perimeter of the center square, where the stories came from. There were many private rooms, dark entrances, and depictions of bulls throughout the building. It's hard to draw the line where history ends and myth begins. In reality, archeologists understand this palace as a center of trade, administration, and religious ceremonies. In the West Courtyard we explored the main entrance for, as Lena put it, “V.I.P.’s”, the theater with a royal box, and grain storage unit. The theater was one of the first ones designed in ancient Greece, serving as the model for the elaborate theaters that would soon dominate classical culture.

In the center square, we saw the throne room and where travelers would come to barter. All over you could see the influence of Egyptian art in the colors, constructions, and pottery. The most fascinating aspect of this place to me (Emma), aside from the blend of history and myth, was the representations of women. It is suggested that the throne in the throne room was for a woman. The beauty of women was admired and drawn and all around. Further, a previously oral Minoan law, had been written in stone around this time, declaring that women can participate in all activities of everyday life. It is also worth considering that the estimated life expectancy for women was around 28 years old then. For me (Kate), I really enjoyed seeing the palace because it is by far some of the oldest constructions that we’ve seen so far on our trip. The reconstructors did an amazing job of bringing the ruins to life by including many colorful pieces of art that gave a glimpse into the daily life of the Minoans. From wall length murals of princes to beautiful paintings showing their sporting competitions, I felt like I was transported to one of the oldest known civilizations on Earth. The island of Crete carries so much history, and the palace of Knossos serves as the starting point for the rich culture and tradition of the island.  

 

After our walk through the palace, we got back on the bus to stop at Arolithos, a Cretan traditional village. It was beautiful and colorful and bright. There we began with a tour of their museum and preserved homes from the 19th century. The outside of the homes were painted in traditional pastels, creating a picturesque village that we stopped and admired. We learned much about Cretan culture, including their multiple wedding parties, intricate needlework decor, and the celebration of saint name days rather than birthdays.  

We were then welcomed to the kitchen by Jolly-Rancher sweet orange and white cherry juice, before getting aprons and sitting down for a cooking class! In pairs, we all learned how to make tzatziki, ntakos, and various stuffed dishes; Grape leaves, tomatoes, and peppers. For me (Emma), my favorite thing to make was stuffed grape leaves. I had always seen these and maybe tried them once or twice in my life. So, it was very enlightening to make them. Rolling up the leaves tightly is important and so satisfying! They are the perfect appetizer or accompaniment to a large table of food. We truly enjoyed cooking together as a group and finishing off the afternoon by eating all the dishes we made. One of the best meals we have had in Greece. Although I (Kate) am not much of a chef, I was so excited to learn how to make new recipes, some of which I had never tried before! The dolmades were also a favorite of mine. I had eaten them before, but the ones I made today were exceptional. Everything we ate was incredibly fresh, flavorful, yet simple, and I will definitely be making these recipes for my friends and family at home. 

Our reading today from Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brooks had us look at two ancient philosophers with different definitions of happiness. First is Epicurus, who you might recognize from Epicureanism. He argues that the key to happiness is avoiding pain and suffering and fear. Essentially, happiness is the absence of dark and sad feelings and unimportant to enjoying your life. Now Epictetus, he believed that to find happiness we need to discover our individual purpose, but that comes at the cost of accepting the existence of pain and suffering. Brooks suggests his own definition in the form of components; “Enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose”. So, back at the hotel we considered what our recipes for happiness are. Also, after so much cultural interaction, we discussed our familial or personal traditions. 

Kate – During our reflection, I agreed more with Epictetus. I believe that happiness only exists when you acknowledge the difficult parts of life and choose to find joy anyways. There are a lot of circumstances that are completely out of our control, so we can’t rely on trying to avoid discomfort. Additionally, happiness must be shared among others. My recipe for happiness included giving and receiving love, growth, and discovery (of oneself or the world). Traditions can be a way that we implement our values into our lives consistently, which is why it is important for us to consider what our own traditions mean.  

Emma – I did not agree with either philosopher, but like most of our group today, I connected with Epictetus. I think it is really hard to truly enjoy or work for your happiness without understanding its opposite. I am also of the sentiment that without conflict you cannot have growth. I hate feeling stuck or unproductive. Not experiencing happiness is a signal to me that I need to grow. Now don’t get me wrong, consistency and joy are great! But a life stuck in stasis with no progress, to me, is suffocating. At this moment in time, I don’t have a complete recipe for happiness. For now, I’d choose Community, curiosity, and balance as my ingredients. Next, at today’s sites I was most struck by the traditions surrounding marriage and cooking. The sentiment surrounding weddings feels like the phrase “the more the merrier”. I think the roles and responsibilities are also fascinating. They place a great deal of value on the couple’s family, but also social circle/community. The ingredients and methods in today’s recipes were not overly complicated. They highlighted the deliciousness of the local harvests and produce. I am from a family with lots of traditions surrounding food and the ritual of breaking bread, so it was a privilege to get a peek into this culinary neighborhood. 

Thank you for reading! Kate and Emma signing off!