It's my fifth Christmas in Symi; not in a row, third in a row, fifth in total. Spent the Christmasses of 2001 and 2002 in Symi, spent the next two years moving from Leeds to London to Thessaloniki to Rhodes and back, and can't remember what I did for Christmas those years. Then had the Christmasses of 2005, 2006, and now 2007, in Symi. This year is also the seventh year, or thereabouts, that I've been on or around Symi, and because I wouldn't dream of trying to relay all the ins and outs of my time here, I've decided to write a "day in the life of" sort of thing. Kala;
So, the day begins at Kantirimi, as always, with coffee and internet. I'm joined by Will, who doesn't want to be photographed but I do it anyway 'cos I'm 'orrid - and Agapitos and his son Giorgos!! And here they are!
So, the day begins at Kantirimi, as always, with coffee and internet. I'm joined by Will, who doesn't want to be photographed but I do it anyway 'cos I'm 'orrid - and Agapitos and his son Giorgos!! And here they are!
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I want to take photos today and Agapitos has agreed to take us all in the car for a 'volta' (drive/walk) so that I can get some good pics. We wait for little Alex, (Agapitos's other son) and as soon as he turns up we set off in the van to see where the road takes us! |
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In the car we argue about where to go; Alex wants Panormitis, George wants to go up to a church called "The Cross of War", (O Stavros tou Polemou) which is really nice, but is only reached on foot and because we, (me and Gap) were a bit worse for wear after Christmas Day night, we decided on Panormitis. |
We stop on the way to take photos of the churches and other sights, the well known view of Horio from above, which never fails to amaze, no matter how many times seen.
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It's a beautiful day, chilly, but clear and still and very bright! |
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Giorgos complains as we pass by his choice in the distance!! |
We turn off the main road just after Saint Constantine. Not sure exactly how to describe the position, but it's before Marathounda!! The road then turns into a dirt and gravel path, so we get out of the car and walk. The walk suddenly starts to feel like a visit to the zoo as we come across all kinds of unexpected creatures, Giorgos decides that he would love to go on safari and nags his dad to promise that they will go one day!
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The views are great and the air is fresh and soon we are surrounded by thick-(ish) forest! |
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We tip-toe past The Goat Mafia and I'm reminded of the scene from The Italian Job,(I think it's The Italian Job but then again, could be a Hitchcock??) the one where the mafia dudes appear out of nowhere on the mountainside, brandishing Tommy-guns. Alex scares them off though by shouting at the top of his voice and throwing stones!! He's an eight year old boy, bless him, but at least I managed a good photo! |
By now, Alex is all over-excited and Agapitos is telling him to calm down because he is going to hurt himself; he takes no notice of course and...well, see for yourselves!
We pass by some houses now and imagine how nice it must be to live up here in the "wild". The two houses that we pass have their Christmas trees outside, must be too small inside!
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A nice Kyria passes and tells us that if we keep walking we will come to a place from which all Symi is visible, we keep walking. and she was right!!!! |
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We never expected our walk to turn into the journey of discovery that it became, but that’s our Symi, full of surprises. That must be one of the reasons that everyone loves it I suppose. We head back to the car as it's starting to get cold. On the way we chat about other walks that we will do and possible camping trips in the summer. Back in the harbour we stop and play games at the mini-fairground and its all very funny; see Agapitos's high score on the football-kicking-machine-thingy. |
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We also happen upon the exciting sight of Manolis having caught a really massive fish!! |
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We're all hungry and go for souvlaki and chips!! Yum! |
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Oh, and of course, Lakis. |
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So, that was one type of day in Symi. Everyday is different of course. There are days where you only see the place where you are working, even weeks at a time when you don't even manage to leave the harbour. But the possibilities are endless and even after all these years I'm still finding new things to see and do.
Lots of love to everyone, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Lucy xxx
Lots of love to everyone, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Lucy xxx
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