Some Symi things you might not know
I had a couple of very helpful messages in the other day (thank you Jean!) with a couple of interesting facts about Symi that you might not be aware of, so I thought I would share them here.
I know that some people will know this one already as I have seen people with the item in question; Symi salt. Symi now has its own salt beds, just past Tolis beach and the endeavour is being run by Christos Volos and his Czech wife, Irene. Irene designed and organised the packaging and, as far as I know, still packages the salt herself from home. She is also selling her salt in Rhodes – both to shops and hotels. I know that you can buy it at the herb shop on the Kali Strata, just before The Olive Tree and the taverna, I saw someone with some from there the other day. I expect there are other outlets on the island as well.
The second piece of information was more of a surprise to me as I’d never heard of it after 14 years of living on the island. Did you know that Symi has its own museum of musical instruments? Apparently there are santouri on display (not sure of the plural) and possibly other instruments as well. There is a plaque on the wall outside stating that it is a museum (I am not exactly sure where though it’s in Yialos, we will investigate) and it cost €1.00 to go in. A santouri (Σαντουρι) is the Greek word for a cimbalom, a form of dulcimer, originally from Hungary. A series of metal strings, fixed across the sound box by pegs, are struck by sticks held in the player’s hand. I tried one out once at an event at The Olive Tree where Michaelis from the Hotel Fiona was playing the background music. I should try and find myself one as, when I was’ having a go’, it all made sense to me, I just needed to practice a lot more.
‘Excuse me officer,’ the lady said as she asked for directions. ‘How do I get to Carnegie Hall?’
‘Lady,’ the officer replied. ‘You gotta practice, practice, practice.’
Old joke but new information. Track down some genuine Symi salt when you are on the island, then hunt down the musical instrument museum when in Yialos. If I find it first I will let you know where it is. Thanks again Jean for the info., and if anyone else has any similar snippets of useful info, feel free to share them!
[Santouri photo from MusicHeaven.gr]
