The two cousins wandered through the marketplace amazed by the hustle and bustle of the shops. People were yelling out bids on livestock, dogs and chickens wandered freely under people’s feet, and large wooden wagons being pulled by horses and donkeys rolled through the middle of the streets offering little warning for pedestrians to get out of the way. People were everywhere, but Argo was nowhere in sight.  |
| The agora |
“So am I, but how are we gonna get food when we don’t have any mo—wait a minute.” Zammie noticed a small leather pouch tied to his belt. He loosened the strap and discovered it was filled with tiny silver coins, each with a woman’s head engraved on one side.
“Is that money?” asked Kyla.
 |
| Sicilian drachmas from 480 B.C. |
“Yes,” said Zammie. “I think they’re drachmas.”
“How much are they worth?”
“Let’s find out.”
The two children walked up to the closest stand selling food. Zammie pointed to a leg of lamb that was slowly roasting over a fire and asked, “How much?”
“Six obols,” said the bearded salesman.
Zammie put one drachma on the counter. “I only have Athenian money.”
 |
| Roasted lamb |
The salesman picked up the shiny coin and said, “That will work.” He grabbed the leg of lamb, wrapped it in a couple large leaves, and handed it to Zammie.
“Thank you, sir.” The two children ran over to a less busy corner in the market to unwrap the mutton. Kyla could hardly contain her excitement.
“I’m so hungry!”
Zammie pulled off a slice of lamb and handed it to Kyla who quickly gobbled it down. Zammie tried a piece as well. “It’s good!” says Zammie. It was a very lean meat with a rich, gamey flavor they both enjoyed.
“Yes, and hot!” said Kyla. “Now I need a drink.”
“Let’s get water and then find Argo before we lose him for good.”
“Where do you think he is?” asked Kyla.
“He wanted to go to Patras. That city’s across the Gulf of Corinth from here so he must be taking a boat.”
“So where are the boats?”
Zammie thought about this for a moment when he noticed a sign on the other side of the road near one of the city gates. Zammie couldn’t understand all of the Greek writing but it must have been listing directions because he did recognize several of the names on display: Marathon,
“That’s right! The Port of Kira
“The port?” asked Kyla.
Let’s go,” said Zammie, “but I am confused about one thing.”
 |
| Greek writing |
“Apparently we can speak Greek and understand Greek, even though it sounds like English to us. But I wonder why I can’t understand the signs.”
Kyla shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. I can’t tell what it says either.”
“Very confusing,” said Zammie.
The two children quickly scarfed down their lamb and hurried off to buy something to drink.
To be continued in Chapter 5 . . .
TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 4
TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 4
KILLING FOR COUNTRY
TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 2
A RIDE ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 3
WITNESS TO THE FIRST THANKSGIVING
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