It’s going to be a fun weekend here on Symi, Greece. There’s a festival being held on the Kali Strata on Sunday, a concert by Alexandria Koniak, with Christos Serenes on the piano, organised by Ομιλός Αζιών Σύμις and starting at 21.00. Everyone is welcome  and it is all completely free.

Oh, and apparently there’s a referendum taking place as well, though it’s still pretty unclear exactly what’s being referendumed and what the exact question is. I did see a post online that said anyone who is registered to vote in the mayoral elections is able to vote in this, Greek or not, but that was only a fleeting post and I’ve not seen or heard any more about that. I’m assuming it’s Greek nationals only. I did look around for more information but I reckon what I saw was a rumour that was quickly scotched. Anyway, that’s also happing on Sunday and so Monday’s blog post should be interesting. (Unless I write it on Sunday morning in which case Tuesday’s post will cover any photos I get at the concert.)

Meanwhile, from some reason Symi seems unperturbed by the growing disaster. Maybe we’re lucky and day trippers are bringing in cash, though they don’t usually spend much here as they are often doing the small business busting ‘all inclusive’ to the extent of bring packed lunches, or having their meals included in their trip. But, as far as I’ve heard, people have been managing to get their money out, everyone is knuckling down and getting on with it, and in the traditional Symi way, putting on a big smile, opening arms wide to visitors and friends alike, and enjoying the fact that we’re alive.

We had a lovely meal in Georgio’s on Thursday with Jenine, Ian and the boys, and the boys are coming to us tonight (Friday) with their fairy godmother (Tina) for an evening on the balcony. Here are a few more shots from Yialos:

As I write, with my window open, I can hear the carriage bell ring as it goes around the harbour. I can also hear the engines of the boats coming in and out, the day ferries and the super yachts, and I can hear Greek music playing somewhere. Someone’s lunch smells good as the smell wafts in through the window on a lazy breeze and through the leaves of the massive fig tree I can see groups of people walking around the harbour enjoying the day.

Taxi boat Eirini (and the others) are going out to the beaches and back all day long.

Someone has to keep control of all the boats.

Look closely and you can see that the top deck is more or less full with visitors. 🙂

Here’s Neil again. Same shot as yesterday but he had a van coming out of his head in that one. Today it’s people.

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Lots of Symi photos today and a little backstory. We were out and about on Wednesday. It started off with a quick trip to the bank. You might be interested to know that the Alpha Bank gave me my money without quibbling, and the National Bank was issuing pensions only.

There was a small queue as the bank were only allowing people in a couple at a time I guess, to make things easier. Some tourists got caught up in the queue assuming it was for the ATM which is in the lobby. I just excused myself through and used the ATM there too. Working fine. And don’t think I was panic withdrawing – I only take out what I need. If everyone went bonkers and withdrew hundreds of euros (on their foreign accounts) there would be none left for those claiming their pensions inside the bank. Think before you withdraw (as the actress said…).

So, financial success, it was off to the post office to collect some solar lights for the courtyard, the pharmacy to collect something for Neil to shove up his nose or something, and while there I noticed that the pharmacy we used (there are two) was well stocked and selling Greek pharmaceuticals, like the one Neil bought and actually it was for his throat, and it worked brilliantly.

We had a wander around the back lanes where we noticed that the supermarkets were well stocked with supplies, and someone had even gone rather overboard with their beetroot rearing. Now that’s an enthusiasts sized beetroot of ever I saw one. (On the left in this picture.)

We then had a little more wandering time, having finished work and in the mood for a chill. So we went to Pacho’s and had the obligatory beer (brewed in Greece I believe so stocks are still doing well on that front, phew) and watched several hundred day trippers come in on and off of the Nikolaos X, the Symi and the Panagia Skiadeni.

Here are a few other observations from the last couple of days:

And, at the bars…

Warm welcome at The Old Markets hotel

And we can’t miss…

And, up in the village, the square prepares for Sunday’s Village Festival with all the chairs from the town square…

And new (and safer) railings.

Back tomorrow with more photos and things. Remember, if you want to support Greece, come on holiday here, and if you want to support us, use the search box, click the links/adverts (costs you nothing) and buy the books and calendars. Ta muchly.

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Back to our usual kind of blog today and some rambling thoughts from yours truly at his desk where someone has just been letting off bangers or shooting at pigeons right next door, at least that’s what it sounded like. No sounds of protesting animals so don’t think it was someone getting self-sufficient already. No doubt that will come in time.

But still, what’s been happening chez Symi Dream these past couple of days? Well, not a lot really. Same old same old as they say. Work, writing and work. I’ve now reached 114,000 words in ‘Straight Swap’ and am still in the finale area, with a lot yet to happen.

The weather has been pleasant, up in the high 20s with a slight breeze, so not feeling too bad most of the time. I’ve been looking at some of the reports from the UK (the screaming press never fail to amuse) about the heatwave being experienced there. I love the way a rise in temperatures brings out the British caution: ‘How to tell if you have heat stroke’, ‘Ten essentials you must know to avoided death in 28 degrees’, ‘How to tell if your elderly relative is dehydrated or perhaps already dead,’ and those horribly worded post headlines on Facebook, ‘He thought it was just a bit of sun and then he went outside, you will be shocked at what happens next.’ No I won’t and don’t tell me what to feel. (If you don’t do Facebook then, a) sorry you missed the point of that one, and b) good for you!)

Yes, I know it’s a serious problem for some and the UK is not used to it, and definitely do not leave dogs, cats, your granny, in a car with no air or water, and always park in the shade, and never leave the house without factor 150 on, just in case the sun pops through a cloud. But ela re! As the Greeks would say. When it snows the country grinds to a halt. When it rains everything gets flooded. When there’s some sun everyone fears instant death from solar flares! My advice for those suffering ‘extreme’ weather is to stay out of it as much as possible, stay calm, drink water (or, in cases of a snow flurry, a little hot chocolate) and stop being led by the tabloid headlines like sheep to the sheep dip.

So, my early week amusement was once again caused by the overreaction of the Brits, and Greeks actually but that’s another story I’m not going to get into. And I hope my rambling here don’t offend anyone other those who might benefit from a little offending from time to time. I guess we’re just used to dealing with 45 + degrees here, and high humidity. It was warm on Tuesday night and there were times when the harbour was all hazy with the humidity. We’re sitting on towels on the sofa with the windows are open and the cat is not allowed anywhere near, he’s too warm. (We’ve been brushing him and now have enough fur for a small Chesterfield.) Mind you, the duvet is still on the bed and gets used in the early hours.

Other rambles: Anyone been to Hungary? I was thinking of saving for a trip there, having seen a little of Romania. Budapest I know is a recommended visit, but anywhere else in the rest of the country? I was thing of a couple of nights in the capital and a couple in the countryside as we did in Romania. A little holiday planning and browsing, and dreaming, helps keep you going through the Te Deum, sorry, tedium of working life, especially when it’s hot.

Think that’s enough for now, there are things to be getting on with. Stuffing the new sofa with Jack fur for one, hoovering the furniture for the left over fur is another. And if you want my serious tips for dealing with hot weather: drink at least three litres of bottled water a day, stay out of the sun as much as possible, keep to the shade, wear strong sun block if you are in the sun, eat regularly, don’t over exert yourself. Avoid alcohol (no, seriously, even beer), avoid coffee, tea and things that make you wee, and go slow. If in doubt, book a holiday to Greece in July and August and local folk will show you how it’s done. Be sensible!

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Yesterday I mentioned a new novel about moving to Greece called ‘Girl Gone Greek’, by Rebecca Hall. Today I have some more information about it; plus some recent photos from Neil, for a change.

Rebecca wrote this year’s Rough Guide to the Greek Island section and paid us a visit when she was here. (She’s an Alarm Cat fan too, I hear.) her debut novel has already received several good reviews at Amazon, example: “Girl Gone Greek is not your normal predictable romantic holiday read, instead it takes you into the heart of Greece and her people, with wonderful colourful characters you can relate to and would love to meet!”

The synopsis of the book (which I was privileged to read in its draft form, for my comments and suggestions) reads thus:

“Rachel is finding it increasingly difficult to ignore her sister’s derision, society’s silent wagging finger and her father’s advancing years. She’s travelled the world, but now finds herself at a crossroads at an age where most people would stop globetrotting and settle. She’s never been one to conform to the nine-to-five lifestyle, so why should she start now? Was it wrong to love the freedom and independence a single life provided, to put off the search for Mr Right and the children? Perhaps she could find the time for one last adventure…

So with sunshine in mind, Rachel takes a TEFL course and heads to Greece after securing a job teaching English in a remote village. She wasn’t looking for love, but she found it in the lifestyle and history of the country, its culture and the enduring volatility of its people. Girl Gone Greek is a contemporary women’s fiction novel. When Rachel moved to Greece to escape a life of social conformity, she found a country of unconventional characters and economic turmoil. The last thing she expected was to fall in love with the chaos that reigned about her.”

As for the author: “After extensive global travels, Rebecca left the UK to return to the country she fell in love with–Greece, where she teaches English, writes and wryly observes that the chaotic nature of her adopted country actually suits her personality very well.

She is a Rough Guide co-author and has contributed to numerous publications including Apollo Business Class Magazine for Cyprus Airways and Let’s Go for RyanAir, the Daily Telegraph Travel Section and her container ship voyage from Athens to Hong Kong caught the eye of NPR National Radio in the United States, where she was interviewed twice. When not writing, you’ll usually find her drinking coffee with her friends, or sourcing a new place to eat baklava.”

You can find Rebecca’s blog here: http://www.lifebeyondbordersblog.com/

And you can see the Amazon page for ‘Girl Gone Greek’ here.

And the Kindle version here.

If you are wondering what I thought of what I read, well… My initial reaction (before I started to read) was that I wasn’t really into ‘women’s fiction’, but after a few pages I didn’t find it ‘chick lit’ at all, nor anything like that. So I would say that it would appeal to men as well as women. Follow the link above and go on your own adventure to discover Greece through its pages…

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What’s news today? What happened on Symi on Monday? Well, the boats came in as per usual, and things carried on, as per usual. We had our front garden invaded by three sheep at six thirty in the morning by which time I was at the desk, having been up to the kantina and back by six. Actually, it’s not our front garden, but it is the front of the other part of the house that’s under us.

The photos today are a mix of shots that might interest you. And other than that, there’s no great news really. You will have seen all the news items about banks and money and so on, and €60.00 a day is fine for me, more than enough, though it will take planning in advance to get the money out for the rent. Our electricity and phone I pay online via Alpha bank so that should also be fine. Day to day, well, we have Neil’s wages form the bar for that. (No need to worry, mother!) And, at the moment, withdrawals on foreign (non-Greek) cards/accounts are only limited to the card’s allowance. So, if you have a UK Visa, or bank account ATM card, you can draw out as much as you want – as long as there is physically cash in the machine – up to your daily limit.

So, Sunday was a warm day as we took a brief walk down to Yialos to stretch legs after a morning at home. Monday started slightly cloudy and there was even a cool breeze up here. The sea was calm, like the rest of the island, and day trip boats and the pleasure boats were out and about. There are lights being put up in the village square for a festival that is apparently happening next Sunday.

This festival (details to follow when I hear them, so far it’s just word of mouth) was arranged before the referendum, so it could end up being some kind of joint festival – depending on which way things go and what your views are. I’ve been told it’s because there is no Symi festival this year and it has been arranged due to a petition from village business owners. That petition, led by the new Herb and Spice shop, has obviously had an effect and the aim is to get more people up to the village to use the services and shops up here. So, Bravo Niko and Co.

Tomorrow I aim to have a blog post about a new novel written by Rebecca Hall titled, ‘Girl Gone Greek.’ I’ll give you more info about that tomorrow, but if you want a look then simply follow that link.

Am off for lunch now – and that reminds me. A couple of folk have said recently that they thought I’d missed a day in the blog posts. Don’t be confused. I often write them the day before so if I talk about Monday when it is in fact Tuesday, that’s why. Check the date at the bottom of the posts if you’re not sure.

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