13 June 2019

Holiday

The last time I was on Santorini, I went into a busy taverna and sat at a small table looking east across the sea. The menu was written in Greek. I asked a young waiter to help me with the menu. His English was as good as my Greek.

What's this? What's this? Is it fish? Is this dolmades? What's this? Is this Greek salad? It was quite a struggle but in the end my order was placed and I waited for the meal to arrive as I consumed an ice cold beer.
The volcanic sands of Perissa
After twenty minutes my food arrived. Very quickly it became clear that there had been a communication breakdown with the young waiter. Instead of the simple meal of rice with kleftiko and a stuffed tomato that I had been expecting, various other plates arrived. There was a grilled fish, a chicken stew, a plate of french fries, a wedge of moussaka and a Greek salad. My little table could not accommodate all the food.

There was enough there to feed a family of four. I noticed some other diners looking in my direction as if to say, "Look at Mr Greedy over there!"

Back in 1980, it was amazingly cheap to eat out in traditional Greek  tavernas. I could not be bothered to argue my way out of the situation so instead I just tucked in and ate as much as I could. 

I slept well on the black sand beach at Perissa that night and in the morning I unzipped my sleeping bag and ran into the sea. It was always a splendid way to wake up and start the day when island hopping around Greece in the summer months.

Later today I will be on Santorini once again. It's the first time that Shirley will have been there. It is often said that the huge volcanic explosion that occurred there in ancient times was possibly the source of the myth of Atlantis.
Thira, the capital of Santorini is perched on the rim of  a  crater looking out over the caldera

17 comments:

  1. A glorious part of the world. Enjoy yourselves! Eat well! :)

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  2. Yes! I want to experience it all through your eyes, Mr. P.!

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  3. Looks like an absolutely beautiful place to visit. I am envious.

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  4. Oh yes! It's been decades, but still near the top of my magical places. I assume that this time you are not sleeping on the beach in sleeping bags. Enjoy! and tell us all about it.

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  5. That looks fantastic! Have fun and safe travels!

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  6. What a wonderful vacation you two will have! Enjoy every minute of it!

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  7. This time around, I guess there won't be much difficulty in ordering food, with many in the hotel and restaurant business speaking English and menues probably printed in English, too.
    Wishing you and Shirley a wonderful time!

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  8. Have a great holiday and enjoy the food and sunshine.

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  9. Have fun! Show Shirley the sights....and the infamous cafe if it's still there....but most of all have fun

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  10. It is one of my sadnesses that I have never been to Greece.

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  11. Envy, envy, envy.......

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  12. So jealous. I love Greece tho I've never been to Santorini. Have a great time and just order one thing (or learn a bit of Greek!)

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  13. I walked those same black sand beaches. I remember an old guy walking around selling fruit from a bucket -- he'd peel it for you with a knife he carried.

    That view over the water is incredible. Have a great time!

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  14. The most significant event in my life today will be driving Mrs. RWP to our primary care provider (four miles there, four miles back) for him to have a follow-up check-up on how her upper respiratory infection if doing.

    Oh, and walking the dog.

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  15. Bet its not sleeping bags this time, lol
    Enjoy
    Briony
    x

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  16. I've never been to Greece but the pictures always look very inviting. I'll be glad to read anything you write about your trip. Have a great time!

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  17. Happy holidays ! It's such a beautiful part of the world that you'll find inspiration for quite a few painting.

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