Dionysus and Ganymede looked on with curious expressions.
You gulped. "Am I really here in Ancient Greece?"
"Didn't I say I'd take you out to dinner?"
You gave another reluctant nod. I felt at a loss for words.
Thankfully Ganymede began speaking. He was such a font of knowledge about the customs of his homeland. His pride showed through in his the way he spoke. "I'm sorry you feel you are far from the place you call home. Please consider my home yours as long as you care to stay."
"Yes, yes! I second that!" Dionysus called out, scaring you from your reclining position into an alert, upright one. Apparently, your nerves weren't faring well.
Ganymede scrunched up his eyebrows, deep in thought. "Where was I?" he mumbled, more to himself than us.
"How farmers had left their fields to go into the city in search of jobs and what the population of Corinth and Athens is now," Dionysus offered.
I must hand it to Dionysus. He's the perfect host as well as a man with a phenomenal memory.
"Ah yes," his friend said. "To continue on, we now plant such things as grapes and trees on terraces."
"Out on their back patio?" you asked in astonishment.
I shook my head and urged Ganymede to continue.
"Terraces resemble steps cut into the hillside. Planting in this manner prevents the soil from going dry as the water drains off slowly. Thus the moisture and nutrients stay in the ground where they're needed the most - under the plants which are growing. Not only that but some of our storms get quite fierce so the terraces prevent the soil from being washed away."
In a complete change of subject, you asked, "Are there eggs here?"
Ganymede nodded. "Most houses in the city have a couple of hens. We love fresh eggs. Those who are better off eat peacock and goose eggs too."
"Does that mean you have milk as well?" you asked, making me glad you had come alone to Ancient Greece with me. We were both learning a great deal about the food. I noticed the color was returning to your cheeks.
"Of course we have milk!" Dionysus said, glancing at Ganymede who was tasting the fish with the sour grapes.
