8 Steves' Scavenger Hunt

While the Smith’s toured the ancient ruin, the Bronzan’s scoped out the town. Dave took in a car show (some teenage nut screeched his 3-series Beemer around a hairpin corner within meters of Dave) and Donna turned on her radar for bargains. The four joined at an ice cream stand where I made like a barnacle and latched on to their open WiFi. Free WiFi was extremely hard to find. I used my iPhone to sniff out access points. There were plenty to choose from but they usually required a login … all forms of plastic were accepted. Taking advantage of a free “ice cream” wifi, I called mom to check in and let her know we were well, enjoying once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Dave and I exchanged some greenbacks for kunas … 5.6 rate with 1% commission. Five years ago we could get 9 Kuna, last year just 4. These days we’re happy to walk away with 5.5 which means something for 20,00 KN is less than $4.00 USD. Petey and Donna then led Dave and I through the self-guided Steves tour of the Old Town. The Steves’ scavenger hunt started at the Cathedral where 5th-century Christians worshiped in Pula. The architecture shows both Roman and Venetian influence. Then we found the statue of James Joyce at Café Uliks. Joyce (Dublin born) moved to Pula with his girlfriend and taught English to foreign navel officers. A collection of short stories later he got bored and put down roots in Triest, Italy. Nest the Forum (main square) where the first-century Temple of Augustus stood. Though accidently damaged by Allied bomb during WWII, the stately Roman Temple was restored by the Allies as an apology. Not realizing that payment was required to enter this “museum,” I barged through an open door and began admiring the Antiquity relics. I popped my head out the door to hail my party when they informed me that I had just entered illegally … oops, another Scott faux pas.

Next in our Steves’ scavenger hunt was carefully preserved Roman Floor Mosaic, a third-century floor discovered during the WWII cleanup. The floor was a tough find. Donna and Petey studied Steves’ clues while Dave sat against a fence pretending to be a homeless wino. The girls questioned several locals but no luck … the natives were just as clueless. Then, through a back alley behind a store just beyond some large metal garbage bins hidden from view of all who pass by was a gated jail-cell view of a basement floor six feet below our feet. The hand tiled mosaic depicted the punishment of Dirce, a Greek sorcerer who bewitched King Lykos of Thebes to abandon his pregnant queen. The picture shows the birth of twin boys who presumably grow up to slay their deadbeat dad and tie Dirce to the horns of a bull to be smashed against a mountain. We made our way got back to the main alley (about 20 steps) and there on the wall, eye level, was a sign pointing toward this special treasure. It was obvious if you knew what you were looking for. Enthused by our unique find, I tried directing fellow tourists toward it like I was some local English-speaking tour guide. No takers … they avoided eye-contact assuming I was an unshaven peddler.