Ramla is Gozo's largest and most popular beach. It can get quite busy during the peak of summer, especially at the weekend. But this morning I had it pretty much to myself. It's set in Ramla valley, and off to the right over looking the bay is Calypso's Cave.
According to legend, on his way home from Troy, Odysseus got washed ashore on an island, and some think Gozo is a likely candidate, with Ramla the beach where he ended up. The story has it that the goddess Calypso, who lived in that cave, took a fancy to Odysseus and kept him captive on the island for seven years. That’s why Gozo is also known as Calypso’s Island.
In Naked Hero, Lewis comes to Ramla and is told about the legend. It is one of several Greek legends that I draw upon, using them as a parallel to Lewis's own journey home. Like Odysseus, this Hero's journey home takes ten years, although only two weeks were spent to Gozo.
Oddly enough, I have lived on the island for ten years, and now will make my own journey home - to Brighton in December.
J. K.
According to legend, on his way home from Troy, Odysseus got washed ashore on an island, and some think Gozo is a likely candidate, with Ramla the beach where he ended up. The story has it that the goddess Calypso, who lived in that cave, took a fancy to Odysseus and kept him captive on the island for seven years. That’s why Gozo is also known as Calypso’s Island.
In Naked Hero, Lewis comes to Ramla and is told about the legend. It is one of several Greek legends that I draw upon, using them as a parallel to Lewis's own journey home. Like Odysseus, this Hero's journey home takes ten years, although only two weeks were spent to Gozo.
Oddly enough, I have lived on the island for ten years, and now will make my own journey home - to Brighton in December.
J. K.