There's Such a Thing as Extreme Hospitality...

In Greek culture, one of the most important rules of conduct is hospitality. It is expected, not asked. On my journey, I thought that in most of the places I would go to, I wouldn’t have  large troubles. People would greet each other and help each other in Greece. I was wrong. There’s a little thing called EXTREME hospitality, and it can take the most dangerous forms. Watch out.

When I came to Calypso’s island, I expected it to be like most of the islands I ended up at. However, Calypso was too friendly. She asked me too much about my life and wanted to stay with me within the islands area forever. This is extremity. Why would a stranger you had never even heard of before want you stay with her forever? I couldn’t leave, or do anything that I wanted. After knowing her now for several years, I would hope she could let me go, but she has only been drawn more and more towards me and feels obligated to keep me by her side. I can’t blame her for loving the Great Odysseus, but I would call the level of hospitality on our relationship a major failure.

This brings me to my next question on hospitality...Why are the suitors still in my house? Did Telemachus let them in? Did Penelope let them in? Why were they in my palace, and what did they plan on doing when I got back? All valid questions, but I had no idea what any answers were. My thoughts would dissipate right when I tried thinking about Ithaca, it was so long ago, but I can’t help thinking they are staying with my wife and son. Telemachus can kick them out, find a way for them leave, and Penelope, well she is much more sly than people would believe. I want them to know that when I arrive, the whole hospitality idea will end.

Overall, I feel that hospitality has gone a bit out of of control lately, but it does have its honorable qualities. In my past, hospitality has gone a long way to fly me and guide through my path. I couldn't find out nearly all the information I have without people recognizing my god-like structure and greeting. I’m sure if anyone is looking for me, especially if that person in Telemachus, he will travel down a similar path as I and meet with amiable people from my past.

Of course, I also think that hospitality is a necessary part of life. Although it isn’t always ideal to make a whole meal for a new stranger in town, it is usually worth it and you may find a story you wouldn’t regularly come across. That’s one thing that differs Greek culture from other cultures, that’s why we’re the best. Well, most of us anyways.

The last thing I need right now is hospitality, however. Once I start my journey back home, there will be no time for me to do what I want, rendez-vous, or eat a bunch of large meals. I just want to get back home once and for all. That is what the most valuable to my heart now. A last plea, please find me Penelope and Telemachus. I am on Calypso’s cove! Please, if you can’t find me listen to this post and kick the suitors out if its the last thing you do. I don’t need anyone to steal you both away from here. Until next time,

ODYSSEUS.

Hello again fellow bloggers! I have been thinking a lot lately about whether the Gods are good or evil and the real power they have. I am very happy with some of the Gods, such as Athena, because she has helped me so much and has actually tried to get me back home. She has put so much effort forth to help both my son, Telemachus, and I. Athena has been on my side throughout this entire nightmare of a journey, and for that I am so grateful. Athena is the most beautiful God I have ever seen I acknowledge her conniving efforts. I don’t think many would believe how much power Athena really has. She reminds me a lot of my wife, Penelope. They would be great friends.

Poseidon, on the other hand, has made my life a living hell. He has done everything in his power to keep me away from Ithaca. I, personally, think he is jealous because I have a whole kingdom that is mine, a gorgeous wife, an incredible son, and such handsome features. Now, you may be thinking, why would Poseidon be envious of Odysseus if Poseidon is an almighty God? Well, here is the answer. Poseidon has tried time after time to tear me down, but have I fallen? No! I am alive and well, and although I may not be exactly where I want to be right now, I have complete faith that I will make it home to Ithaca eventually.

For this reason, Poseidon is upset. A God has never been upstaged by a mere mortal. This is why I believe that although I am not a God, I should be. I think I would make a much better God than Poseidon, because I would use my power not just for myself but also for others. Since I am the leader of Ithaca, I know that to be a good ruler, you must put the well-being of others before yourself sometimes. I don't think that Poseidon has the capability to be a commendable God because of his selfishness. Additionally, I hope Poseidon is reading this blog post right now so that he can know exactly how I feel about him. Poseidon has yet to destroy me and I'm starting to doubt he has the power to do it at all. He has kept me from my home this long however, maybe I am underestimating him.

After I have put so much thought into the Gods power, I have decided that the Gods are just like us mortals. If they were that powerful, wouldn't something have happened to me by now? We cannot classify all Gods as either pure or evil either, because some Gods have good qualities and some have bad qualities. It would be wrong to say all Gods are good, because Poseidon definitely is not. It would also be wrong to say that all Gods are wicked, because Athena continues to show me her impeccable strength. But...what's to say that I am not as strong and powerful as these gods? I just don't get it...

ODYSSEUS. 

Odisguiseuss

As if you had not heard of my cunning disguises already, I will tell you again of the best of the best of the trickiest tricks I’ve pulled over the years. PLOT TWIST: Odysseus is the best at disguises, NOT Athena. At war in Troy, I had to do extremely hard and grueling work in order to find a way into the city’s walls. One of the most difficult of my disguises was to act as a beggar and infiltrate the walls of Troy. A beggar. How does a man as majestic and powerful as Odysseus turn into a poor, dingy, unscrupulous beggar? I had to drench myself in dirt and grime, and hunch down into ratty, old, ripped-up, beggar clothes. This way I could break into the walls of Troy, not get caught, and successfully murder many of their soldiers.

I remembered thinking if I could do this, if I could perform something so dangerous yet so sneaky. But true enough, I got in. Suddenly I knew that this plan was golden. Right as I took out my weapons the next day and bolted to attack the soldiers, I could see the pure terror and shock on their faces. That was when I knew that my disguises would become legendary. My camouflaged facade in Troy helped our army incredibly. Another one of my stories was once again in the Trojan War, and this time we really finished them. This was probably one of my favorites. It involved a lot of working together, but I knew that all of it happened because of my plan.

It started with the idea of pretending to leave Troy while secretly staying there, but how could we hide men from the Greek army in Troy? Such a superstitious idea would need to come with a just as clandestine disguise. I then suggested that we should give them a piece of artwork, but not just any old thing, a wooden sculpture with our men hiding out in the inside. A horse. Because of the Greek's perfection in art, we made an incredible horse. It was exquisitely and exhibited the hard and long hours that the artists put towards it. Now that we had a horse, all we had to do was put our men in with their weapons, give it to Troy as a gift for peace, and sail away on our ships. It was all worth it.  

They graciously accepted our gift when they found it. However, by the time day turned into night and back into day after all of the celebrations and feasts, Troy was done for. The soldiers crept out of the horse and that is when the war was truly over for them. These are the stories that give me the most pride and joy, and I wish that I could use my clever plans to get off this island. The only problem is, there are no supplies and the land is abandoned. Before I had an army, artists, and everything I needed to concoct a plot. Additionally, Calypso would see right through it. It’s time to find a new plan. No more disguises, I may need to use something aside from my own power to find a way back home.

I Just Want to Go "Home"

Over the many years that I have been away from my home town of Ithaca, my only desire has been to return to my family and kingdom that awaits me. All I have been thinking about for these past several years has been Ithaca, my home. A couple days ago on the island with Calypso, I managed to escape from her and see her in her true and real setting. She was singing little tunes under her breath but when I heard her start to say..."I'm staring out into the night, trying to hide to pain", I immediately felt a connection. I learned later that this is called “Home,” by American superstar Chris Daughtry.

This song now holds significant meaning to me because the lyrics fit so well in my life. The chorus of this song has always moved me because I have been away for so long when all I’ve wanted to do is return home to my loving wife, Penelope. I hope that Penelope knows that I still love her and how hard I am trying to find my way back home to her. I also do not want Penelope to think that I am not returning home on purpose, or that I am away living a luxurious life without her. I do not regret the life I have made for myself back in Ithaca. I had a beautiful wife, a brilliant son, many loyal and dedicated men working for me, and a whole kingdom to run. What’s not to love, right? I want Penelope to know that I am so tired of being held captive by Calypso and all I want is to see her lovely face again. It just seems like the longer I am away from my home, the harder it is to find my way back.

Now, a thought has just occurred to me. What if when I return home, Penelope does not want me back. Oh, my dear Penelope, if there is any possible way that you can read this blog, please know that I am so sorry for the mistakes I have previously made as your husband. I never meant to cause you any pain by doing anything wrong towards you, and I hope that if I shall ever return to Ithaca, you can welcome me back with arms wide open. I will show you how great of a husband I can be to you.

Overall, the song “Home” reminds me of getting back to a better place, my home. I will keep everyone updated with my situation still, but if anytime you are bored and need a song, I would strongly suggest taking the Chris Daughtry route and sticking to your true roots. Make Odysseus proud. And Penelope, just remember: “I’m coming home, back to the place where I belong, and where your love has always been enough for me”

Check out the song here: Home

ODYSSEUS.

Welcome to the blog of Odysseus

Hello all, I am the great, famous, and powerful Odysseus of Ithaca. Right now I am on Calypso’s island, giving a last shot at return to my home. I have found no way to get back from the nymph Calypso, but I now need to get back to my wife, Penelope, and my son, Telemachus. I need to find a way to get out of here. But since I have nothing to do all day besides sit around and listen to her whine about how much she loves me, I created this blog. This is not only to talk about my noble qualities, but to tell the story of how I got here. Maybe I will be able to reach out to my family. Here is the tale of my experiences:

It all started with the Trojan War. I left my home in Ithaca to fight there with my old friend and King of Mycenae, Agamemnon. We had success, as I’m sure many have heard the story of the Trojan Horse and my wonderful disguises (more about this coming up), but I was gone for 10 years. 10 years without going home, 10 years without seeing my family, and 10 years of endless fighting. We finally escape from war, traveling to several places planning on going back to our home. However, we had many problems on our journey. Our ship, composed of many trusted crew members, barely was able to survive even the first places we went to. Zeus’ storm sent upon us was one of our worst times by far. I questioned if we were going to get home. Now the chances have become even slimmer for me.

Anyways, I don’t know if you know my brother, Poseidon, but his son Polyphemus was also a part of our difficult journey. I kind of blinded him...and because he was a cyclops...and only had one eye...that was kind of a problem. He will do everything in his power to keep me from going back to my old life now. Things will never be the same, and unfortunately, like all people of my family, he is powerful. Not as powerful as I am, but he has complete power over the sea. This gives him all control over my life on the island.

After I blinded Polyphemus, he cast yet another storm against us, and this time, almost every one of my crew members died.This is when Calypso came into the story. The storm sent us to her island, and even not knowing her, she suddenly fell in love with me. I can’t blame her for this, who wouldn't love Odysseus? But I need to leave now. She has kept me here for several years and it is time for this to come to an end. I know that I will be able to do something about this though...someone will come for me. I mean, only  if I am unable to get home, my family will come for me...they will...won’t they?  

I hope that you all appreciate this blog, and if anyone knows anyone in my family, PLEASE contact them and lead them to me. If you are reading this Telemachus, know that I am still alive and I am coming home. If you are reading this Penelope, know that The Great Odysseus, your husband, will find a way. P.S. Occasionally, Calypso (aka the crazy nymph) will let me outside onto the shore. I will keep everyone updated and post many times, so don’t worry about me. I’m going to find a way to get back. Until next time,

ODYSSEUS.