Historical Symi building to rent in Yialos

Here is some information about a building that is for rent in Yialos. This is the building that is currently housing an exhibition, see this gallery for photos, though we don’t have any of the actual building as yet, only of the exhibition. It is a big space as I remember. Symi-Artist-Costas-Pachos07Space for rent as a house or a shop in the center of Yalos. It is the old bakery (fournos) of Nikolettos, property of Jiannis Pachos, who currently runs it as a gallery. The place has two large rooms with a smaller one at a different level, and a toilet. The property comes with a large garden at the back. The rent is 550 Euro as a house and 750 Euro as a shop. Contact Toula Pachou: 2241022328, 6949091160 or Jiannis Pachos: j.k.pachos@leeds.ac.uk. Symi-Artist-Costas-Pachos12Χωρος προς ενoικιαση ως σπιτι ή μαγαζι στον Γιαλο της Συμης. Ειναι ο παλιος φουρνος του Νικολεττου, ιδιοκτησιας Γιαννη Παχου, οπου προσφατα εγινε εκθεση ζωγραφικης. Ο χωρος εχει δυο μεγαλα δωματια, ενα μικροτερο σε διαφορετικο επιπεδο, τουαλετα και εναν μεγαλο κηπο στο πισω μερος. Το ενoικιο ειναι 550 Ευρο για σπιτι και 750 Ευρο για μαγαζι. Επικoινονιστε με Τουλα Παχου στο 2241022328, 6949091160, j.k.pachos@leeds.ac.uk A bit of a late start this morning – after a late dinner with visiting family last night. And not a lot to report from the village front. [caption id="attachment_2597" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Pedi in the morning"]Pedi-Symi-Greek-Island-Photos[/caption] Bar Cat has a new trick up its furry sleeve, which is to run like mad at the now defunct vine at the Rainbow Bar, scramble up it, stopping half way to have a good scratch and claw-exercise, before darting up onto the top of the bamboo shading and vanishing for half an hour. It appears later from a completely unexpected direction and goes to sleep on the steps opposite the bar. It was quite happy there yesterday even as the wind howled up the steps and through the square. The wind has died down this morning. There were quite a few people out and about last night, pulling on jumpers and thick shirts as the evening wore on, and it actually felt cold at one point. Though that’s only in comparison to the recent hot weather. Today is calmer, there are no white caps on the sea, in fact there is no breeze up here at all as yet, so it could well be another hot day. Perfect for the beach – though I am saving that for Sunday when I have a day in Nimborio planned. Another day off (with Neil covering the bar for me, so a real day off), I don’t know what’s going on, that’s two in a season.
Friday, September 3rd, 2010 No Comments
Categorized Under: Day to day

The music orchestra of Symi from the 40’s,

And the winner is… Maria from Australia! ‘There is something about this photograph that I just love. The way there is only a little sea, and no sky, but a lovely atmosphere and stillness. (I also like the hydrofoil… those were the days eh?)’ Symi island 038As this is one of the limited edition collection we can send Maria this photo as the prize. The winning number was selected at random yesterday by a slightly surprised passer by who was asked to think of a number between one and 31. Thanks to everyone who entered; and check out the competition page for this month’s fun comp. Meanwhile: it really feels likes someone decided that it was time for a change in the weather. At the beginning of August the temperature went through the roof, and now, at the beginning of September, it’s suddenly dropped down again like someone flicked a switch. There’s a wind blown up, which has helped to cool things down, I actually had to put a shirt on this morning while outside having my herbal. Mind you this was before sunrise, and the temperature at the desk this morning is down to 28 degrees overnight. If the wind dropped we’d be just right. [caption id="attachment_2592" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="© Jiannis Pachos. Symi orchestra 1940's"]Symi 1940 Music Orchesttra[/caption] Look out for some news on a gallery space that is for rent – I will be putting details up in the next day or so. This is a property, in Yialos, belonging to Jiannis Pachos and family. We recently featured a post about an exhibition  of his father’s work that he mounted, and which is still on. While I get the rental details sorted out, here on the left is a photo that Jiannis kindly sent in to us. (As usual with these post photos, you click them to enlarge them.) Jiannis writes: ‘Attached is a picture of the music orchestra of Symi from the 40's, my father is the one sitting with the guitar on far the right end. Antonis Pachos, his brother, is the one with the violin at the back.’
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 No Comments
Categorized Under: Day to day

Symi Festival ΔΙΕΜΕΡΟ ΕΚΔΗΛΩΣΕΩΝ ΕΙΡΗΝΗΣ

Kalo Mina! Today sees the start of ‘two day events dedicated to peace’ which are part of the Symi Festival. [caption id="attachment_2574" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Previous Symi Datca swimmers"]symi datca swimmers[/caption] The brochure doesn’t give any more information than that so if you’re on Symi today listen out for the announcements, but I have heard that over the next couple of days there are: a trip over to Datca in Turkey with an over-night stop and a festival. (I heard that the boat trip is free – but you’ll need to book a place today as it leaves on Thursday, and you will have to arrange you own accommodation when in Datca.) And the famous Datca-Symi, Symi-Datca swim where participants meet half way is also taking place over the next two days. Check with the town hall to find out exactly what’s going on. These events are organised by the Municipality of Symi and the Municipality of Datca. (The photo is from a previous swim and was taken, I think, by Symi Visitor.) The August competition is now closed and thanks to everyone who sent in entries. I've picked out five at random to show you here (click to enlarge), but the winner will be chosen from all of the entries, not just from these five. We will get a random number generated from a passer by at the shop today and I’ll post the winning pic tomorrow. And there is also a new competition starting… See the Competition page for more details. [caption id="attachment_2575" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="One"]Symi door[/caption] (One) Out of all the photos on the site this one is my no. one. Why? – To me this is the ultimate Symi photo. It has the colour and the texture I’m looking for in my own photos and I’m envious I was not the creator of this marvel. I was quite convinced that Neil had used some artificial light source for this photo. A lamp or a mirror, but when we spoke about the doorway he explained, no – just his lucky day being at the right place at the right time. The limited edition copy caught my eye in the shop and still lingers in my brain. I will find that doorway, I will camp there until the light is right and I’ll make my own interpretation of the ultimate Symi doorway. One day – I wish… Keep up the good work both of you. Keep passing the open windows... [caption id="attachment_2576" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Two"]Symi donkeys[/caption] (Two) This always reminds me of the Symi I love so much. the Kali Strata with the magnificent buildings and the donkeys.
[caption id="attachment_2577" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Three"]Symi dream sign[/caption] (Three) On the steps after the re-hanging of The Sign, probably because I recognise nearly everyone in it. I'm glad to see you use it on your menu page. (Four.) I've chosen this pic as I was on Symi last year when the water was gushing down the Kali Strata and remember how stunning it looked...and how difficult it was to navigate the steps! [caption id="attachment_2578" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Four"]Symi rain[/caption] I nearly chose the pic showing the petals but it didn't have the impact of the one I've chosen. You can also just make out the petals in the water which adds to its beauty. Love symidream and look in every day. [caption id="attachment_2579" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Five"]symi-greece-greek-island-sunrise[/caption] (Five) My Fave Foto
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 No Comments
Categorized Under: symi festival

Symi election news (possibly) and AIR interview (definitely)

We had another very pleasant ‘wine night’ on the steps last night, with people coming down to view the galleries and chat. The last couple of weeks have been quiet on a Monday night, but it looks like things are picking up again now that September is almost here. [caption id="attachment_2517" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Pedi"]Pedi-Symi-Greek-Island-Photos[/caption] I also found out (and this is not official, it’s un-confirmed still) that the local council elections, for the municipality of Symi, are going to be held on November 7th this year. Previously they have been held in October, but there is a chance they will be on the same day as the Festival of Panormitis. This makes sense, as many people return to Symi for that weekend and, in the current economic climate, it will be cheaper for people to vote while they are here for the festival, rather than make two trips – one in October to vote and one in November for the festival. But I've only heard this from someone who works at the town hall, and things may yet change. I also heard that there is also, currently, only one candidate for mayor, but again… time will tell.
But I did find out that when you are registered to vote in the local elections, as we are, you are obliged to do so if you are within 200km of the island. A couple of people I know will be away in November, it’s a popular holiday time for all-year-round businesses, including our own. So, for example, if Neil is visiting his grandson in Scotland, as he hopes to do in November, he won’t be fined for not voting as he will be more than 200kms away.
[caption id="attachment_2518" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Kokimides"]Symi-kokimides[/caption] But that’s still a couple of months away. Closer to home; I did an interview with Athens International Radio yesterday about the film project. That went off very smoothly, the Alarm Cat was asleep, thankfully or else his dulcet tones would have been broadcast around the world, and the bells didn’t ring during the 10 minutes I was on the phone/on the air. Actually that would have made a good audio backdrop to the interview and would have drowned out my droning voice quite nicely. No more interviews are planned at the moment, but I am hoping to get sent a copy of the Greek magazine Down Town as there is an article about Symi Dream in it this week, apparently – I’ve not seen it yet, so if anyone has a copy... Anyway, best get on. Today’s photos are from recent walks and days out. Which reminds me. The current competition ends tonight, so send in your favourite Symi Dream photo quickly if you want to win a signed, limited edition photo.
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 1 Comment
Categorized Under: Day to day

Pedi, how to get there and places to eat

You could call today’s photos ‘views from a sun-bed.' [caption id="attachment_2509" align="alignleft" width="249" caption="Pedi sea"]Pedi-Symi-Greek-Island-Photos[/caption] Pedi, yesterday morning at nine, was quiet and warm; not as hot as up in the village, with a cool breeze blowing in gently off the sea. The sun-beds at Tolis are free, but get there early to avoid disappointment. The taverna itself serves great food and is also a nice place just to sit with a cool drink and watch the sea go past. There were several boats in, something else to watch, and as the morning went on, more people came to enjoy a cool swim. I don’t know how I know this as I lay down on the sun-bed, read two pages of a Master and Commander book and promptly fell asleep for an hour and a half – not used to days off. I was awake for some of the morning though. If you are heading over to Symi for the first time and have not been to Pedi, it’s very easy to get to. You can catch a bus from Yialos on the hour, or from the village about 15 minutes later. The bus then goes down to Pedi where it turns around and leaves on the half hour (except for siesta time, no bus at 15.00). You can also walk from the village and there are signposts, but as there is only the one road… simply follow it downhill and you will get to the sea eventually. There is also a wonderful walk through the valley, which is alive with wildlife in the spring and early summer months. There is still wildlife there in the summer but less flowers, and the other living things tend to keep out of the sun. But you will see goats and sheep, horses perhaps, mules, lizards, butterflies and birds. I’d suggest getting one of the Symi Walks books as a guide – ask your holiday rep, or ask at the travel offices. [caption id="attachment_2510" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Shade"]Pedi-Symi-Greek-Island-Photos[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2511" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Tolis"]Pedi-Symi-Greek-Island-Photos[/caption] The taverna of Tolis (click the thumbnails left and right) is one of only two in Pedi (not counting the Pedi Beach Hotel and the Italian restaurant). As you approach Pedi by road take the left hand fork not long after the garage; follow that through the boat yard and when you come to the sea you are right next to Tolis Taverna. You have to walk through it from there to get to the sun-beds. If you take the right fork, just past the garage back on the road, you will come out at the centre of the bay, and Tolis is to your left. Katsaras Taverna, the one with the jetty that goes out over the water, is to your right a little way along the shore. Food at both places comes highly recommended to me from people, who have eaten there. We didn’t eat in Pedi yesterday, I had to get back for bar duty, but we ate at Taverna Zoi in the evening and were, as usual, very well looked after.
Monday, August 30th, 2010 No Comments
Categorized Under: Day to day

Taking a day off for an anniversary (13 years)

Well, I am almost taking a day off. I'm still taking a couple of minutes to let you know that I won’t be writing anything on the blog today… Doh! [caption id="attachment_2503" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Cruising into Symi"]Cruise-to-Symi-island[/caption] Actually there isn’t much news: there was a birthday party and a wedding yesterday, the concert sounded like it was well attended, we could hear the warm-up from the shop up in the village and there were lots of people going down the Kali Strata to listen to it. Some of the baptism party came to the shop to look at photos, we chatted to people on the steps, and got home at the usual time. Not terribly exciting but there you go. That’s ‘day to day life on a Greek island’ for you. The photo is of one of the large cruise liners coming in to Symi the other day. I remember when these came in back in 2003, when I worked in the harbour. It would always mean an early start, at six rather than eight in the morning. On one day it also meant a late finish as there were three boats that day. Started at six and finished just after ten at night; no breaks though I did have three changes of costume I remember – as it was August and very hot. By the time I’d set out my side of the shop in the morning I’d be soaked, and by the time the usual end of shift time came, at five, I needed another change. Those were the days eh? And that job came with no days off, unlike his one. So, we are off to the beach this morning, the first time this year for me, and thence to some luncheoning and then the bar-guard duty, and then probably some eatery for the evening.
Sunday, August 29th, 2010 No Comments
Categorized Under: Day to day

Symi Festival: Ayhan Sicimoğlu and Latin All Stars

The Symi Festival tonight plays hosts to Ayhan Sicimoğlu  and Latin All Stars. I checked out their website to see what kind of music Symi can expect this evening and found this quote: [caption id="attachment_2498" align="alignleft" width="170" caption="Ayhan-Sicimoglu"]Ayhan-Sicimoglu[/caption] “From project to project, playing all kinds of Latin music in Turkey, Ayhan Sicimoğlu seems to swear to love, I miss making music for the group with the usual Latin All Stars.  The most popular examples of this kind in Latin-style songs arranged for us, in between jokes Sicimoğlu & All Stars’ endless energy awaits you.” That was translated via a machine from Turkish, but I guess we’re looking for Latin music with a Turkish twist, some humour in between, all kinds of Latin rhythms and a great time. The band is certainly very popular, with 11 concerts to date, since July 14 this year, and many in previous years, as this is a well established combo. Here’s another quote, this time from his My Space page, translated with some corrections by me: “Music put a spell on him and lured him to New York where he spent seven years playing on the Latin club circuit and being heard on the radio.  Fame soon found the rhythm professor and after he Joined downtown music master Johnny Rodriguez’s 'Senior Workshop’, Sicimoğlu expanded his Latin network, and became familiar with the downtown music scene. Not just talking the talk, Sicimoğlu also walks the walk in Istanbul with the "Afro-Cuban Percussion Workshops." As well as teaching he gives performances with his band Sicimoğlu Ayhan & Latin All Stars.” If you are interested and don’t read Turkish, use a search engine to find him by name and then get it to translate the whole page. [caption id="attachment_2499" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Sunset over Symi"]Symi-kokimides-sunset[/caption] It should be a nice and balmy night for a concert tonight. Now let me think, what were we doing eight years ago tonight? Oh yes, arriving in Athens with a one-way ticket each. Our Greek adventure had just begun with a couple of days in Athens, followed by some in Paros and Antiparos and then, on September 8th (Neil’s birthday) arriving on Symi, where we have been ever since. I remember the taxi driver in Athens suspiciously turning off his meter just as we approached our destination from the airport. The meter had read one figure, he then declared another and we were ripped off, slightly. But actually it wasn’t by more then a few euros so we let him get away with it. There then followed a noisy night at one of those new fangled, and highly trendy (in big cities) ‘noise hotels’ just off noisy Omonia Square. You know how you have boutique hotels and ice hotels, well this particular street specialised in noise hotels, and worryingly the trend seems to have caught on. Anyway… complete day off planned for tomorrow, apart from the afternoon caretaking job. Monday and Tuesday I'm going to be sorting out the competition entries ready for Wednesday or Thursday when the winner will be announced. BTW, if you check the contacts page you will see we’re in the middle of putting a contact form on it, this will make things much easier, but don’t use it yet, it’s not sending me anything for some reason. We will try and get it up and running in the next few days.
Saturday, August 28th, 2010 No Comments
Categorized Under: symi festival

Symi Photos from August in a new Photo Gallery

It’s all about photos today; there’s a new gallery to look at. Click to the Symi Photos page and you’ll see Symi August 2010 (named thus as there is a Symi August 2009 one further down the page), or click here to go directly to the photos. [caption id="attachment_2469" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Baptism at Kokimides"]Symi-Kokimides-Baptism[/caption] It’s an interesting collection of snaps mainly by me with some proper photos from Neil, and takes us from the start of the month up to last night – with the baptism at Kokimides. I've not put too many of those pics on, only a couple in fact, as the family haven’t seen them yet. I've used one of the family and the rest are sunsets and scenic shots. People who were at the baptism and want to see the photos and get copies, well, you’ll be on Symi and you know where to find Neil… Also in the photo set we’ve got: Italian cyclists on the Kali Strata, donkeys passing the newly painted shop, some views from the new roof terrace bar in Horio, some pics of Yialos, the Symi Animal Welfare fund raising night at the Olive Tree, some of the visitors to or gallery’s wine night, yesterday’s daring Bar Cat raid on Sevasti’s sink, some early morning sunrises, inside views of the monastery of Kokimides and last night’s sunset from up in the mountains – so plenty of variety there. [caption id="attachment_2470" align="alignright" width="300" caption="A Symi sunset in the mountains, with wind turbine"]Symi-Sunset-Kokimides[/caption] That’s not all of what’s gone on in August of course, and there are still a few days of it left, but you can see the other galleries further down the Symi Photos page – the Old Market Hotel party, etc. So, loads of photos there for you to view and enter in to the competition if you want to – only a few days left to go. All you need to do is find your Fav Foto… yuk, sorry about that slip into advertising speak… find your favourite photo on the Symi Dream website and then either a) save it and email it to us, b) copy the URL (the address in your web browser, it will look something like: http://symidream.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/symi-001.jpg) to an email and send it that way, or c) leave a comment on this, or any other, post letting us know what your favourite pic is. [caption id="attachment_2471" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="View from Kokimides"]Symi-Hinterland-Kokimides[/caption] We are going to ask a random person, a stranger or someone who calls into the shop, to think of a number between one and how ever many entries there are, and that number will be the winning photo – at the start of October. So it’s not what you think our favourite picture is, it’s what yours is, then we choose a random winner and send them a limited edition print. I might also put up an album of all those suggested, like the Top 10 Symi photos. Which brings me back to where I started, so I’ll let you get on and check out the new gallery – enjoy!
Friday, August 27th, 2010 1 Comment
Categorized Under: Symi Photos

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