Don’t panic. This was taken a few years ago, now when there was so much snow in the region, some even landed on Symi for a day or so.
This morning: rain, but the howling wind of yesterday has passed by. We’re in the changeable-weather season, which doesn’t help if you’re planning a trip by boat. People often ask about Symi in winter, and if it is a good time of year to visit. Yes, if you want to see what many people want to experience, the ‘authentic’ island life. The use of that word sometimes makes me snigger. ‘Are there any tavernas serving authentic Greek food?’ Yeah, there’s one, and the rest use a 3D printer… I know what you mean, but…
Authentic Horio in winter…? Yesterday afternoon, we thought we’d go for a short walk and see if the Rainbow was open. We were chatting on the way, and as we walked past the village square, our voices echoed in the stillness. I mean, it’s currently tumbleweeds and all, because everywhere is so quiet. The shops are open, but not many have stock to write home about. The taverna is open, but it’s only whatever Noufris has available, and in January and February, that’s often not a lot. Of the two bars in the square, Rainbow is open now and then, mainly when Yiannis comes in to check the water intake or watch a football match, so it’s hit and miss. Other places are open, like the Sunrise, where we’re going tomorrow for a quiz, and Scena, where we were the other night for a pizza. But the classic street-café life doesn’t exist up here right now. You can sit outside in the harbour and watch the world go by, but you’ll have to sit behind plastic and may be waiting a long time.
Very quiet, apart from the weather, and now and then, the helicopter coming in for whatever reason. Oh, there’s building work going on, there always is, and some municipal works, such as the new road surface in Yialos. Other than that, for me, it’s peace and quiet all the way to Easter.
