Thracia is a special place. In Late Antiquity it was divided into four provinces, one of which was called Europa. From the perspective of Mesopotamians, in the old Akkadian language, Erebu means sunset. The land east of Mesopotamia they called Asu, sunrise. It’s just one of the theories about the origins of Europe’s and Asia’s names. Here, at the edge of Europe, and heading east, the real adventure of the Silk Road begins.
Musing at the Thracian coast
According to Greek mythology, Thracia was the home of Orpheus. This legendary singer and poet was the son of the muse Kalliope, one of the nine goddesses of science and art. Artists called upon the muses for inspiration. While the difference between science and art, as we understand them today, didn’t really exist yet, the ancient Greeks already exhibited a thorough understanding of – or maybe I should rather call it an intuition for – the basis of human cognition. They called Mnemosyne – memory – the mother of the muses. Indeed, our ability to function in reality is based on memory and the concepts we develop from there.
Memory refers to the information that is transferred through our genes and to the memories that are the result of our life experiences. This combination of innate and acquired knowledge allows us to function in daily life. Thanks to our memories, we imagine.
After having mused about overlanding to Central Asia, I was now musing overland. I tried to imagine the trip ahead. Which experiences did I bring with me? Would they be sufficient? How would I use them for tackling unexpected circumstances?
Recommended site: Archeologikos Choros Archea Mesimvria Zoni
Heading east, leave the highway at exit Mesti. Take road n°2 to the north and turn left immediately. It’s a beautiful ride towards the coast. At the beach, take the winding track left to the archaeological site.