SEEK WONDER: Greece, Pt. III

Those who travel to the islands of Greece - and more specifically Kalymnos - will undoubtedly become acquainted with their most iconic local fauna: the scraggly, often disheveled looking, crooked-eyed goat. 

Typically harmless and only interested in searching out tasty snacks and delightfully salty things to lick, you will see them everywhere. Having already gotten used to them and their generally docile nature, we didn’t expect to nearly get in a tangle with one. He was the Omega goat, (the Alpha goat would have been too wise to waste his energy going after two tourists from North America). 

The Omega goat had straight blonde hair, longer than any other and as if it was regularly combed out. His horns were horizontal and nearly a foot long on each side. He sauntered along the peddle path with utter confidence, unbothered by our presence. This was the Omega goat’s turf, and we didn’t belong. 

We both stopped in our tracks as he lowered he head, as if preparing to charge. In disbelief, we stood there like two frozen prey animals. Then he came for us. 

Kylie stepped off the trail and I swung the only thing I had, a tote bag of beach towels, to try to defend ourselves. The goat stopped just in time, easily sidestepping the soft bag of towels, and nonchalantly continued to walk along his trail, likely chuckling to himself as we collected ourselves. Omega Goat: 232,534. Humans: 0.

Nico, our boat captain, did not speak English and only gestured instructions to us as we climbed aboard his 5 passenger fishing trolley. We puttered along the shoreline, admiring the rolling coastline and the views across the ocean towards Turkey.