The Idiot, who was instructed to MedTrek in the Peloponnese by the Oracle at Delfi less than two weeks ago, not only thrived and tanned throughout the 290-kilometer MedTrek down the western seaside of the Greek peninsula/island/isthmus.

But between the kickoff at the modern cable-stayed bridge north of Patras and the conclusion at the expansive 13^th century citadel in Methoni (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=36.81182,21.70463&ll=36.81182,21.70463&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1) The Idiot also ate 16.4 pounds of self-picked figs, grapes and watermelon; walked over seventy kilometers barefoot; met the goddess Athena and Odysseus’ son Telémakhos at Nestor’s Palace; MedTrekked across Zakynthos Island to Shipwreck Bay; ate octopi with fresh spinach in both Kiparissia and Kylini; stepped back into time with naked Greek athletes at Olympia; discovered the offbeat Museum of Ancient Greek Technology in Katakolo; and found a chapel in Kalogria to go with a lavender-colored wedding gown.

Methoni’s 13th century citadel and Sapiendza Island.

The Idiot also got picked up hitchhiking at the end of the day eight times, never waiting more than ten minutes; discovered only six boats docked at Lechaina Beach, where a three-million euro port was constructed with European Union funds; MedTrekked around the Gialova freshwater marsh on a trail that arrived at Spacteria Island; ended a MedTrekking day in Metochi by scribbling an operetta entitled “The Lady in the Bright Blue Smock” about the sassy woman running the mini-market; introduced a Greek high school teacher to a Greek primary school teacher to spur love at first sight; enjoyed the relative isolation of the southern Peloponnese until MedTrekking across an under-construction golf course near Pylos that could change all that; had the best honey-sweetened Greek desserts of his life after walking thirty kilometers and arriving at the Erodios Campsite in Gialova; and met the region’s top exporter of extra virgin olive oil.

What’s The Idiot up to next?

Where will The Idiot’s feet take him now?

The Idiot, on his way to another encounter with Telémakhos in Sparta (where he also expects to meet Menelaus and Helen), will climb Mount Ithomi and visit the ruins of ancient Messene this weekend before MedTrekking for a few days near the home of Leigh Fermor, usually described as “the world’s greatest living travel writer,” on the Mani Peninsula. That’s the place where, in the 17^th century anyway, the inhabitants were described as “famous as pirates by sea and pestilent robbers by land.”

Now doesn’t that make you want to Follow the Idiot?

The Idiot at Methoni after MedTrekking 290-kilometers.

Text and Photos: Joel Stratte-McClure

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About Joel

Joel Stratte-McClure has been a global trekker since the 1970s. He lived in France for over 30 years, working as a journalist, before he turned his attention to a unique life-time-project of walking the shores of the Mediterranean. The first 4,401 kilometers are explored in his inspirational and entertaining first book "The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean." The next 4,401 kilometers are covered in the gods-filled sequel, "The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean,” published on Valentine's Day 2013. The last 4,401 kilometers will be discussed in the last book of the trilogy currently entitled "The Idiot and the Odyssey III: Alexander the Great Walks the Mediterranean."