The abduction of Europa

this is one of the most meaningful places for me in alex, like the sculpture, and like the place and bib alex added to the scenery kaman. in the old times dad used to take the whole family park their and eat sandwiches and let us enjoy the sun and play in winter. the army took a large part of it for some air defense base and the "wrong" type of cafeterias opened on the lower level.
but still this place has all the charm i dream of. the sculpture have a story that i always like to tell and here it goes





my side of the story is more romantic, Europa was a very beautiful princess and she used to have a long walk along the beach every day ( Alexandria ) and she stole the heart of Zeus. so in order to have her, he disguised himself as a big sea shell and laid in her path, when the beautiful princess saw it, she just had to go and lay inside it to try the soft touch of its heart and to be surrounded by the heavenly white color of it. When Europa stepped inside, the sea shell turned into a raging bull that took her into the see and away. And bla bla bla

this is the official story from the greek mythology

Europa was the daughter of the King Agenor of Sidon. She had the continent of Europe named for her. Somewhat miraculously Hera was distracted during her affair with Zeus and never punished her for it. One night Europa had a dream. In this dream two continents, which were in the forms of women were arguing over Europa. Asia maintained that since Europa had been born in Asia she belonged to it. The other continent, which was nameless, said that her birth was not important, that Zeus would give her to it. It was early morning, disturbed by the dream Europa did not go back to sleep. She summoned her companions, who were all daughters of nobility and of her age. It was a beautiful day and they went off gathering flowers by the sea. Zeus noticed this charming group, particularly Europa, who was the prettiest of the maidens. Some say that Eros, induced him into action with one of his darts. Although, Zeus often made due with self motivation. In any case, Zeus appeared to the group as a white bull. A white bull more beautiful then any other. A bull that smelled of flowers, and lowed musically. A bull so obviously gentle that all the maidens rushed to stroke and pet it. The bull laid down in front of Europa. She slid on to its back. Instantly, the bull charged off, plunging into the sea, and began to swim rapidly from the shore. Europa saw that a procession had joined them, Nereids riding dolphins, Triton blowing his horn, even Poseidon. From this she realized that the bull must be a god. She pleaded with him to pity her. Zeus spoke to her and explained his love. He took her to Create, where he had been raised. He promised that she would bear him many famous sons. Her sons included Minos I and Rhadamanthus.