Bewitching Gozo - Part 2

Jennifer DePaul explains why Calypso’s 'bewitching power' lingers on, from The Cabinet:

Spending several days here I began to forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The only reminder of Western influence was the one McDonald’s located in Gozo’s capital, Victoria. Somehow McDonald’s always seems to nestle its way into even the most remote and unexpected locations.

One of the main tourist - attractions is Ggantija, located in Xaghra. This megalithic temple is the oldest free-standing temple in the world dating back to 3,600-2,500 B.C, much older than Stonehenge and the pyramids of Egypt. As I anxiously walked up to the site, an old man stood at the road’s edge displaying a variety of homemade jarred food.

One of the items that caught my attention was his carob syrup. I was surprised to discover this natural chocolate for sale on the side of the road. While carob is found in natural food stores in the U.S., it is not a common item in the regular convenience or grocery stores. Excited to indulge in some of this Gozitan food, I purchased a jar for a mere 75 cents.

A trip to Gozo isn’t complete without trying a homemade pastizzi. This flaky pastry filled with either cheese or peas is a traditional snack and usually a bargain for only 10 cents each . Although the Maltese pound dominates the U.S. dollar (the exchange rate is $320 USD for 100 pounds), everything on the island is cheap. At the local market up the street from my hotel, a loaf of bread was 22 cents and a small bag of chips was 5 cents.

On my last day in Gozo I think about the long and exhausting trip home and the realities of ordinary life. In the meantime, I leisurely pack my belongings, eat a fantastic breakfast at the hotel and head outside to enjoy the mild spring weather. I am greeted by a warm gentle breeze. Sitting on a street bench, I soak in the scenery, gazing down on Mgarr harbor below me.

There are two Gozo Channel Ferries leaving and entering the small harbor. The noontime rays from the sun softly caress me. The sweet songs of small birds in nearby palms ease any anxieties, and up the narrow street a stray dog barks at a passerby. It’s finally time to board the ferry, and as I bid adieu to the island where Odysseus once washed ashore, it is clear Calypso’s bewitching power lingers on. It was very difficult to walk away.