Yesterday, I had to visit the dentist, which is never a trauma, not here, not financially nor in any other way. The only downer about it was that it was cold, and my feet hurt by the time I got there. The treatment was quick and painless, and I’ve to go back on Monday for a general cleanup. That’s one thing.
Another was that I noticed what looked like a school class in one of the coffee shops. This isn’t an unusual sight, because, as I understand it from the god boys, the schools have to provide a certain number of day trips out per year. (Or something like that; don’t quote me, because January 30th is also the feast day of the three patron saints of education, and this was February 1st, so…) Because it’s not that easy to take a day trip off the island and be back in one school day (8 to 2 pm-ish), the classes have to make do with a day out on Symi. As you can imagine, for most, that’s like spending a morning down your local high street, or at the mall you usually go to on a Saturday anyway. But still, it’s a social thing, and I have seen students with clipboards carrying out surveys, visiting the castle and museum, and so forth.
On the way back up the Kali Strata – a feat that was performed at an impressive rate of knots I have to say, because the cold weather had necessitated the need for a bathroom not three minutes after setting off – I encountered a group of younger children coming down. Another day out perhaps, this time from the junior school, not the high school. A couple of the teachers and assistants said hello because we recognised each other, and that was followed by a few very polite ‘Good morning’ from some of the students. I replied in English because they had taken the trouble to identify me as such and use my language, and I also used theirs and replied in Greek for the same reason. How sweet and polite.
Of course, no time for photos, and it wouldn’t have felt appropriate to take any, so you’ve only got general shots today. I’ll try and get something of interest over the weekend. Right now, I am typing in fingerless gloves, and creating all manner of new words with my clumsiness. (‘Greek’ just came out at Geerl, as in, ‘Hey! You go geerl!’) I am also going fast because we have Laki coming to fix something in the kitchen and hopefully start on the outside bathroom wall which needs redoing, so, I have to go and move the kitchen around to give access, and do that kind of sensible householder thing. Have a good weekend. See you on Monday.
