Skipping Troy

Çanakkale, Turkey

We recently watched the two-part series called the Odyssey. I think it was made in the 90s? Odysseus is the main character, a bronzed, long-haired, very dramatic actor. Vanessa Williams is also in it.

The battle of Troy actually happened but not the way it’s depicted in the movie, of course. The Greeks and the Trojans were warring at some point, but there’s no consensus on whether Odysseus fought in the battle between the Greeks and the Trojans. Or that he was ever king, or that he even ever existed.

The story goes that Odysseus came up with the idea to build a big horse and gift it to the Trojans on behalf of the gods. Except, he and other soldiers hid inside of it and after gaining entrance deep inside the Trojan headquarters, they popped out of the big horse, attacked, and defeated them.

Odysseus decided to go back home, but it took him decades to return because Poseidon put impossible roadblock after impossible roadblock in his way. Poseidon was mad at Odysseus because Odysseus took credit for single-handedly winning the war and refused to acknowledge getting help from the gods. The whole thing is actually quite petty and ridiculous. Greek mythology in general doesn’t do a lot for me but Josh really enjoys it and it’s part of 6th grade curriculum, so we got into it.

Josh has been looking forward to seeing the ancient ruins of Troy ever since he discovered it was located in Turkey. This morning we left the Aegean coast and the city of Izmir (the third-largest city in Turkey) and headed toward the ruins in anticipation.

We drove in and found a parking spot in the gravel lot, then walked up to the window and learned three important things: 1) the entrance fee is 27€ per person, 2) the big, wooden horse (which is, of course, a replica) is under construction, and 3) in the way of ruins, there really isn’t that much to see.

Josh was so keen to explore the ancient ruins of Troy, and may have paid a modest amount just to get the cheesy Trojan horse photo op, but that was a no-go due to construction.

So, nearly 120 bucks for us all to see barely recognizable battle ruins? Nah. It was too steep for us. Bummer, but we drove on.