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July 23, 2008
Dangerous Rhodes
It is up in the mountains on the West coast, that we discover a drink so illegal, and so hideously dangerous that it is sold in unmarked bottles. It is 'Souma' and distilled from grape pips. If you drink it neat you go blind, and that's if you're lucky, so the Rhodians tend to dilute it with honey. We are given instructions before we try our free sample:
'Breathe in, then drink in one go - no sipping - then exhale through you nose for the best post-taste experience.'
It's very pleasant, and as I still have sight, I buy one of the unmarked bottles. It looks just like water, so this is an act of faith.
We are high in the Rhodian hills looking out across the blue, blue Aegean, in a village called 'Monolithos' (One Stone). I glance at the church clock for the time. It is an unreliable time keeper, however, because it is painted on the wall of the church - and forever set at 6.50. Why 6.50? Apparently, it's to fool the devil. The church service is in fact at 9.00am - so Satan keeps missing it, turning up at 6.50! Clever, eh?
Whether any people turn up, we didn't stay long enough to find out.
Posted by Mr Bojangles at July 23, 2008 10:26 AM