That was a weekend full of pleasant and interesting bits and pieces. On Friday, we had lunch in Yialos with our Neice who was set to leave for Athens on the Blue Star in the late afternoon. Due to a strike on Thursday, the boat didn’t depart until midnight, by which time Neil was at work and I was well asleep. It did go, however, and she made it to the city with no problems and has been enjoying the sights, as have a couple of regular Symi visitor friends. Apparently, entry to all monuments and museums etc. was free this weekend to celebrate European Heritage Days. Unfortunately, thanks to the gift that keeps giving (Brexit), this free entry is no longer available to UK citizens, as we’re no longer European. So, if Neil and I had gone, he could have got into anywhere for free, and I would have had to pay. Let’s not dwell on that subject, but I do have some images from earlier this year (January) when we last visited the city by way of illustration.
We’re doing it again this New Year; spending a few days in Athens with the godboy family, and this time, there’s a reason other than just because we can. We’ve booked to see a production at the Greek National Opera (alternative stage), and will be going to an early performance on New Year’s Eve. The show is my favourite Sondheim, (Into the Woods), and as far as I can make out, it will be sung in Greek. Not sure how that’s going to work, but I’m looking forward to it. We are already saving like mad because to ‘see a show’ when you live on Symi is no ordinary or cheap matter. When you add in the cost of flights or ferry, accommodation and so on, it soon adds up. (It would cost us €200 just to go to the cinema in Rhodes). If you were thinking, ‘Opera? That’ll cost you a pretty penny,’ then you’re thinking UK prices for everything and not European. Our tickets are €20.00 each for the best in the house. When Neil and I saw the Nutcracker in Budapest a few years ago, at the National Opera House, 12 rows back in the stalls, they cost us €28.00 each. When Harry and I saw The Magic Flute at the Estates Theatre in Prague last April, we had a box in the oldest theatre in the city (where Mozart premiered Don Giovani), for only €50.00. Somehow, Europe even gets its arts subsidies right. The last time I saw an opera in London was in 1996, and it cost me £120 per ticket back then. The last time we saw a play, in 2020, it was £125 each.
Anyway… not what I started out to tell you. Interesting bits and pieces… Oh yes. This weekend, I saw the police car coming up the hill to the village with its blue light flashing. This was, I think, the first time I’d seen this happen. It was 4.30 in the morning, so I can’t imagine what it was for unless they were hurrying to meet a refugee boat that had landed somewhere accessible by road. Just a guess. Also this weekend, I managed to nearly amputate my little finger while hammering a nail out of a piece of wood. It’s a long story, the lesson of which is, me and home odd jobs don’t mix, mainly because I don’t have any tools or skills, but the good news is, I should still be able to play Chopin, and will have a good excuse if I play badly.
The weather remains hot, though bad weather is again forecast for further north during the week. Things to look forward to: Lunch today with some friends, piano lesson with H, finishing the final draft of a new novel before the proofreader gets her teeth into it, reading a biography of Marie Lloyd (research and general interest), and generally beavering away on all manner of things, but not doing DIY. Mind you, I am tempted to buy a hacksaw because I have 4mm of metal to saw through and the job is done, and it seems extravagant to call in a handyman just for that, especially when I have just paid €20.00 for a ticket to the National Opera.
