Oi Plakes

 Wednesday Night 29 June - Thursday 30th Hora 

So I went to the Taverna that is meant to be the best in Hora, it certainly has the best view, but outside as where I was, was very challenging! It was very windy! It has a lovely view of Hora, behind which we have Livadi, the sea and Sifnos. It’s right next door to the New House which is handy, but they are not  open in the closed season. I had a beer, Greek salad with local cheese and meatballs in tomato sauce. It was all really good and served by two very friendly guys. In front of me was a Greek couple, in a sheltered spot an English family. The only problem I have is the price. Just over twenty Euros. I don’t begrudge the owners of the money, but that feels expensive. But maybe it isn’t really, as I don’t really know how much I would pay for the same in the UK, as I often only go out in the lunchtimes. My friends in Sifnos say the prices here have gone up a lot. I guess a lot of what I ate had to be brought in. At the end of the meal I was given a little dessert taster. Afterwards I went into the bus stop square and had two beers and people watched at the old fashioned bar.

At my favourite coffee shop, it looks like the guys wife runs it in the evening. A different girl was serving in the bar and I was the only person outside. There seemed an endless stream of people turning up and leaving in taxis and cars. Most go towards the Town Hall square. I see my supermarket owners young helper, who I don’t recognise to start with, because her hair is down and attire is different. There are a few other people wandering around that I recognise too. Eventually I decide to go home.

The following morning, I wake at 6:30, but drop off again and wake again at 8:30. It’s not quite as windy. I decide to do some shopping so I can conjure up a couple of meals in the evening. I need some milk and some breakfast things too. Before I go, I send a text to my landlord asking about the utility bills and if he needs anything else for the contract ( hint !) According to Google which I don’t believe, the Folklore museum is by the windmills. When I get there, I pop into where it is meant to be, to be told in a very friendly way, that it’s moved. At the bus stop square there is a lady with a black dustbin bag and it looks like she has been litter picking. Sure enough all around, all the rubbish, bits of tree, leaves, plastic bottles etc have been removed. It’s not clear if she is a volunteer or paid to do this.  I go into the baker side of the supermarket and the young man is there and I ask him in English what pies he has today. I pick the one with meat and  tomato in. He recommended it, I told him I walked past early yesterday early morning, he tells me I really should have gone in! I am sure he meant it. I go into the supermarket side and pick some bits and pieces. I have a sort of broken English chat with the lady owner ( his mum?) and I sort of explain I plan to move to Serifos ( she loves  Serifos ) and I explain where I might be and when. She says “Bravo”. That’s good.  I eat the pie outside, it was very good! The photo below was taken on my later wanderings, to break this text up.

I then go to the coffee shop. The guy with the cloak is there, he later gets a toasted sandwich ( there is no obvious menu for things like this!)  while I am standing at the bar a huge plume of tobacco smoke engulfs me. People can smoke here, or they are disregarding the rules again. I turn around and there is this shrivelled old man hidden in his cigarette smoke. Marinos confirms my order and I sit down. There is a guy in the corner he is eating little peach shaped things. Several of them escape onto the floor and there is a bit of comic activity while he and Marinos find them all. The lady who I saw working in this coffee shop last night comes in and gives him a hand, his wife I am sure . She actually brings my coffee over and soon susses I am English. Later on she leaves and says goodbye to me. When I pay up I only have a twenty Euro note. The guy in the corner also paid with a twenty, so I am going to offer the note and say sorry “Sinomi”. He replies that it’s ok. I get the rest of the little fruit that haven’t been eaten. Marinos says “Serifos”, so they are from the island.

I take my produce home and then decide to go and have a look for the museum and the theatre. On my way I go down towards Livadi and before I go up to where I think it is, I see the horse, the one that does the heavy lifting. It’s grazing on the verge, there are oats there, all dried up but let’s hope there is some nutrients in them still.

I can see the museum, it looks closed ominously. When I get to it, it is but the open air theatre can be got to, by way of a side gate. 

Next door is the school which is very quiet. Opposite there is a memorial, I think to their independence war. Next door to that is a guy is painting his walls, I get a cheerful “efharisto” from him. I decide not to over do my luck in the sun, and walk back to the house. I know where I am, and on the way I see this lovely looking house.

Just by the church I see a young girl drawing. As I get closer, it’s clear she is in a school class all drawing away. That’s great.  They have a lovely town to draw and enjoy. I get back to the house, and try the fruit. They are very nice, like peaches.