Yesterday morning around eight, I thought I’d go for a walk. I’d done the blog, reread and edited what I had written the day before, and wanted to take a short time out to think of what came next in the story. I left the house, wandered through the village and out onto the road where I began the slow climb up the hill. I was past the sports hall and heading up to the first big turn in the road when I saw two young men on the other side of the road. Clearly recently arrived by some kind of dangerous route, they were more or less scratching their heads and were definitely looking lost and worried. Not being one to pass by on the other side, I crossed over and asked if they were alright. Through the use of sign language and a few English words, they were able to communicate, and me to understand, that they were looking for the police station, which came as no surprise to me.
Is there a police station here? Yes, but it is down in the harbour. Is this a big place? No, it’s a small island… I don’t know what they’d been promised or told but they were surprised at that. Where the police? I showed them a photo of the harbour, clock tower and police station so they knew what they were heading for, and then wondered how to give directions.
I showed them a road map of the island, but realised, the main road was the only discernible route clearly marked, and if I set them upon that route they would probably end up in Pedi. More sign language, it’s up and it’s down, it’s through and a round…
Come, I’ll show you. it was the only way, so me and these two early-twenty-something young chaps set off back towards Horio on the main road. Along the way, I managed to discover they were from Egypt (at least, that’s what they told me), and they were very worried because their phone had died, and they wanted to recharge it so they could let loved ones know they were safe. Will the police let them recharge? I expect so. I also expect they, and a group of others who arrived yesterday, will be on the boat to Kos this morning.
Just to be sure they didn’t get lost, I took them to ‘Kali Strata corner,’ the viewing point a little way down the steps where the bar used to be, pointed out the police station, and reassured them that the steps were the only way down. Off they went to whatever future awaits them.
What awaits me today and beyond, is a meeting at the KEP office to sign our new contract for the house, and a weekend which is set to include a Sunday roast with the family on, unsurprisingly, Sunday. We might be going on a walk before that, ending up at the dining table just in time, but we’ll see.
And after that, here are a couple of classic Symi views to see you off into your weekend and whatever awaits.