Symi, where you can expect the unexpected
I gave myself a day off on Friday, kind of. I read some proofs of ‘Remotely’ and then went to Yialos to do the usual things: bank, post office, buy some snacks for some guests coming for pre-dinner drinks, then cat litter and cat food from the pet shop (for the cat, not the guests), back up the steps, made lunch and chilled out on the sofa in my study. A place I don’t very often sit; it made for a change of view.
The wind was up again, there were some clouds about but it was still warm; and there was dust in the air, apparently, blown across from north Africa. It did look a bit hazy but nothing to write home about. The harbour was fairly busy, there had only been one day boat in. The Blue Star had come in a little late and seemed to take a long time going out again, the Express was waiting for it. The Sea Dreams moored up alongside in the harbour, so I assume there was a swell or strong wind down there or something. The Nikolaos X came in at its usual time, and the Panagia Skiedani too, so we now have three regular day-trip boats from Rhodes each day.
Neil had one of those ‘things’ happen on Thursday. He was at the bar, working, and had two sisters as customers come and sit and chat. They were staying in Rhodes but live in Liverpool. They had been told to come to Symi for a day (they were staying for two) and to visit the Rainbow Bar in Horio, which they dutifully found. They had been advised to take this excursion but a man in Liverpool who knew the bar. Neil described him and asked if he barked like a dog to surprise people as a practical joke. They said, ‘That’s him!’ and he said, ‘That’s Liverpool, George, we know him.’ So not only does Symi’s charm and fame spread far and wide, but so does the fame of the Rainbow Bar (and ‘Liverpool George’ who is a regular visitor and Symi supporter). What are the chances eh?
As for my weekend ahead, I have nothing planned but some work on ‘The Saddling’, the next story on the ‘must write that book’ list, and some work for my college course. I had some great feedback on my action scene assignment last week, and this time I have to write two different openings and two different endings for the same story, in this case a screenplay – as that’s what I was interested in learning about, though I could have chosen stage or radio play. The basics are the same really and the course covers all kinds of scriptwriting, it’s up to us students to decide which. I think the story I have chosen would make a better film, so am going with that medium.
And that’s about it. The end of another week on Symi, with the custom house fire, the changeable but warm weather, hot days, sunny days, a little overnight rain, some breezes and cloud, a walk in the hills last Sunday, nephew George heading off to a new adventure in Rhodes, some book work and other things, a lovely meal with neighbours on Thursday (thank you for that and for bringing my camera back), and some guests on Friday. I’m looking forward to a quiet weekend but, as I’ve said before, when you are on Symi, the only thing you can expect is the unexpected.
