Working ramble
I had a good online session with editor on Monday and another is booked in for today. This is the process of going through the layout of ‘Remotely’ and tidying up a few things: making sure the quotes at the start of each chapter are consistent in their layout, making sure the ‘widows and orphans’ are tidied up so we are not left with an odd word at the start of a page, and things like that. We have done 20 out of the 50 or so chapters and aim to do another 20 later today. It’s an interesting process: I am watching his desktop screen from over here (he is in Britain) so I can see what he changes as he changes it. It’s a bit frustrating for me as I keep trying to click on things and of course, although I can see my pointer, it doesn’t actually do anything to the pages.
Meanwhile, life on Symi goes on, though it’s quieter than of late. This is the time of year that many Greek and Italian people come on holiday but we are seeing far fewer this year, doubtless due to the economic situation, the severity of Greek cut-backs and… well I don’t know anything about Italy, but I am sure they have their reasons. Roll on September when more northern European, British and Scandinavian visitors particularly, come to Symi to soak up the sun and enjoy the beauty of the island.
I found a few photos from our evening out, which I have put up today. The moon was up as we waited for a taxi, but my camera is not very good at night shots of the moon, it is, after all, an underwater camera. I think it’s been in the sea twice in its life as I am not really an underwater person, I don’t think I’ve been in the sea since 2014, apart from one paddle earlier this year.
There are also some shots of shops at night, which may look empty, but I was careful not to snap innocent passers-by as not everyone likes to have their image put up on blogs. The shops stay open late into the evening in most cases. I know when I worked for Takis he was always there before eight in the morning and not often closed until after 11 at night. (And some people think the Greeks are lazy!) It’s very common for people at this time of year to work long hours, fifteen or more a day at times. Up in the village, Noufris is at work at Georgio’s early in the morning, has an hour off in the afternoon and is then back again until sometimes well after midnight. Yiannis does the same at the bar. We went out on the Poseidon the other evening and the guys there start early to prepare the boat, make the lunches, and then set off at 10.30 and work through until at least seven in the evening, and then often go out again for an evening booking until midnight.
So, don’t let anyone tell you that folk around here don’t work long hours. I start at 6.15, break for lunch at around 12.30 and often get back to the desk again until four or five, which by local standards is part time. You might also be fooled by seeing some men sitting with a drink at 10.30 in the morning and staying at the bar until the afternoon. That’s because they’ve been up since one and working on their fishing boats. Same with the bakers who work through the night and often have their bakeries open in the evenings too.
Anyway, that’s my little ramble for today. I have some writing to do now so I will get on with that; the devil makes hands for idle workers, or whatever the expression is. Have a good day and enjoy the photos.
