You need to take a break from everything from time to time and we were lucky enough to be invited out on a birthday bash, on the Poseidon on Monday night. So, today’s photos are some of mine, taken on my underwater camera, out of the water and some were taken at Ag Marina at night, so not the best quality. (Will post those at a later date.) We were taken to Ag Marina for dinner on the jetty, dancing and a few drinks under the stars and the moon.
I’m hoping Neil has some shots of the moonrise as it was pretty spectacular, coming up in the East over Turkey, orange and nearly full. The reflection on the water reached all the way from one continent to the next. It’s interesting, when we first moved here 13 years ago there were hardly any lights visible on that part of the Turkish coast; now there are plenty. I guess they can probably say the same about us over here. When we first visited Symi there were no lights on the main road. Completely necessary of course, and the road is much safer now, but there will be more light visible on Symi from Turkey now than 13 years ago.
The night was still and the sea very calm. The boat cut through it steadily and the water looked like oil when the boat’s lights were out. There were plenty of stars too, even though the moon did steal some of their light. But I still would not like to have been on an inflatable with 50 other people, traveling without light, and in secret, and in danger of capsizing.
The charity, Solidarity Symi, has reached its stage two target now and is continuing to give out water, fruit and biscuits to over 400 refugees still here at the moment. More come each day. Some are leaving for Rhodes on the afternoon ferry as there are more connections to Athens from Rhodes than there are from Symi and, while they are traveling, they can wash and use the facilities, whereas here they are stuck with the meagre facilities available – that’s one of the charity’s aims, to improve the sanitary situation. Mind you, it’s only those with enough money who can add on the extra cost of Rhodes and then Rhodes to Athens.
Yes, many of the people coming here have money, so why give out free water? Well, it’s simple really. The money they hold in their hands has to last them until… You have a guess. Six months on the road before finding family in a European country? Ten months? Six weeks? Who knows? And who knows what may come along in the meantime: sickness, loss of clothes (hence the charity giving donated clothes), other emergencies? You would want your available cash to last as long as possible as who knows when you will get another aid station or anther meal, and once you run out…
So, the great efforts by many people continues down at the old post office. Holidaying doctors are giving up hours to run a makeshift surgery, other visitors are giving up holiday time to do what they can, as are locals and residents on Symi – and not just ‘on site’ but also behind the scenes, doing laundry, publicity, spreading the word, driving cars… Here’s the charity’s message from yesterday: “UPDATE (1.9). Very busy again down at the old post office and port police station this morning giving out water, biscuits, and clothes. We’re still needing lots of Wet Wipes, Nappies, Plasters, and Men’s Shorts. If you can help, please drop off either at the old post office, Symi Visitor Accommodation, or The Old Markets. THANK YOU!”
Other messages come in too so you might want to check the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/solidaritysymi and check out the fund raising page http://www.everyclick.com/solidaritysymi/info where the stage three target is now waiting to be reached.
And, on a lighter note. My nephew George is booked to come and visit us in October – we’ve not seen him since (I think) 1998 when he was three. He’s now 22, so that’s going to be a bit of a shock! Can’t wait.
