savannah storytelling

Dear Readers,
Since, the Savannah News decided to stop publishing Coastal Senior, you will have to read about the rest of my Greek trip here on my website.  A month ago, I wrote a letter  to the editor for several reasons; 1) so people would know why there was no more CS since it was not explained in the paper. 2) to say goodbe to a publication started in the 90’s that many seniors enjoyed, and  3) to say thanks to all the previous readers and to editors I worked with.  My letter was not printed.
On with my Greek Diary….

June 20, 2011 – Saronida, Greece

We get an early start this morning to board a ferry for the island of Paros.  We are the last to board and have trouble finding seats.  The good part is that our vehicle is the last in and the first out when we arrive four hours later. We have reservations at a hotel, the Archipelagos, but our GPS has no signal so we ask directions.

I must tell you that asking directions in Greece is a chancy thing.  A Greek will never admit that he doesn’t know the way, so many times, a traveler is sent on a wild goose chase.  A policeman at the quaint little port gives us directions but we do not trust him, so we call the hotel and get directions from the desk clerk.  Thirty minutes later, we find ourselves back at the port.  This time, we try the policeman’s directions and find the hotel.

The hotel is inland and sits on a little hill, a one story white building, shinning in the strong Greek sun. It has all the modern amenities, modern bathroom, telephone, mini fridge, WIFI, air conditioning, large pool, and a rear balcony to enjoy the amazing sunsets each evening. We find out later, that we could only get Internet at the coffee shop, not in our rooms.

The only other negative is that the coffee shop does not open until 8:30 in the morning.  My cousin, Takie, and I are early risers, and having to wait for coffee does not make us happy. The coffee shop personnel isn’t Greek.  They are imported young people from other countries and do not speak Greek.  They stand around with their arms folded and refuse to serve us coffee even though we know it is ready because we can smell it. No one has taught them Greek hospitality. Noni is not bothered much because she does not get up early.         

We tour the island the next couple of days and discover villages of snow white houses trimmed in Mediterranean blue, built close together as if they were anxious for company.  Flowers spill out of large pots and window boxes at every house, bouganvillia, geranium, poppy, iris, daisy, lavender,citrus, and many others I can’t identify.  A small church stands sentinel at the edge of every village.  We find a small beach to swim where the water is clear and surprisingly buoyant. It’s impossible not to float.  Close by, we find a place to eat (a taverna).  Food is served family style. When we find a taverna we especially like, we go back again.

The last day in Paros, I open my door to the balcony and breathe in the cool fresh air.  The view outside is spectacular, cerulean blue water and sparkling sun reflecting on the white buildings across the inlet.  A perfect picture wherever one looks.  I feel good, except for some swelling in my ankles, something that has never happened before.  I attribute this to the large amount of fried food I am consuming.

I usually hide from the sun, but now my skin has turned a darker shade under the strong island sun.  It isn’t a pretty smooth brown but speckled. For the first time in my life, I have freckles.  My skin has become as dry as the Greek countryside.

June 22:  We take the ferry back to the port of Pereas and Saronida, tired but happy.
The story continues next month with the visit to Kalamata, the city of my birth.

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A  reminder  about  the  Greek  Festival:  Come one and all to enjoy fabulous Greek Food, watch the Greek Dancers and enjoy the music. There will be pastries for sale to take home, the Bakaliko, that sells Greek grocery items, the Gift Shop, jewelry, and many other features.

I will be there most of time. Look for me so I can say “Yassou” to you.  I will be autographing my children books, “Kiki and the Red Shoes” and “Kiki and the Statue of Liberty”. If you haven’t purchased them already, this is a good time with Christmas just around the corner.  They are the perfect gift for any child in your life.  Also for sale at the gift shop,  will be my CD, “Ghosts and Other Stories”.  Hope to see ‘ya there.

For more information on the festival, please visit www.savannahgreekfest.com