The Power of Nature!!!

With everything going on in Greece, the usual question I get every time I am in Paros is: 'How are things in Athens?' 'How are people holding up?' ......

Then I start hearing stories like 'I was in Athens the other day and..honestly... it wasn't looking good... gloomy faces, depressed people....I just wanted to rush back home, back to my island! ......'

At that point, depending on your patience levels (unfortunately I am still working on mine.....) you might start thinking....'OK, let me hear it....the usual story about how perfect your home town or your village is...'. Surprisingly enough, this time I heard something different....

'You know, we, here in the island, might be lacking some of the luxuries which you can easily find in the city, but when things go bad, we always have the sea and the beautiful nature all around us to heal our souls!'

Oops! Reality check! She has a point!

Lamprini, the lady I usually chat with every time I want to enjoy a good coffee by looking at the wondersful sea view, in Piso Livadi, is a lady who came with her husband in Paros 25 or more years ago, fell in love with the place and decided to live in the island. She works as a waitress in 'Captain Yiannis', my favorite coffee place! Every morning, around 7-8, she opens the cafeteria and prepares for the morning customers- here is what she needs to put up with every 'fricking' day.....please try not to feel sorry for her.....

Piso Livadi is a small ex-fishing village with its own little marina, quite picturesque, from where you can actually visit many of the not so famous little islands across, including of course the beautiful Naxos.

A number of busses is daily arriving in Piso Livadi with tourists who just want to walk around, enjoy some quality sea food, have a coffee or a drink....and relax!!

I can spend hours in 'Captain Yiannis', actually whole mornings. I bring my lap top, my books, I sometimes even work from there... I usually start with a coffee and if noon finds me there, I will order a beer. The view of Naxos across, the sound of the waves when hitting the rocks, the image of the fishermen returning from their morning shift to supply the local taverns with fresh fish......can be mind blowing!

It makes you wonder...why always rushing so hard??? Why not stop for a moment to look around, to observe nature, to learn to respect the pace of nature....?!

It actually makes you think....have I really set my priorities right....?! Am I really where I want to be?

With that in mind, let me leave you for now... It's getting dark anyway ;-)

xxx

Locallita

A New Era

I have always been into traveling!! My job has definitely helped a lot into that. I have been in places that honestly 15 years ago I would never think of…although I’m sure, if I compare my travel experiences with others’, there is still a lot to see……………..and that’s the best part about it! J

In all my travel endeavors I have come to realize that there is one, common thing I am always looking for- to feel, eat, see, walk, experience … like the locals do! Other people put it differently: Don’t be a tourist, be a traveler! Sooo true! It makes a huge difference!

As such, every time I’m organizing my next trip adventure abroad, I’m pretty known for connecting with my dear friends, living at the different places of the world, to listen to their recommendations! Don’t get me wrong…I’ll definitely go on Google and for sure I’ll buy my lonely planet!! Still, my local friends’ suggestions are invaluable! 

Lately it hit me….I can actually do the same for them! How come? Some personal choices (love you Nikos!) have led me to (re-)discover the island of Paros!

Paros is one of the many beautiful islands of Greece. It belongs to Cyclades, a complex of about 220 islands, most of them non-inhabited. Located in the middle of the South Aegean sea, Paros is home to approximately 15,000 people with many thousands of tourists visiting, every year, over the summer period.

Have you ever seen these quite typical pictures with the white/blue scenery portraying small chapels (there is a chapel everywhere in Greece!!) or people enjoying the sun and the beach??? Quite a paradise don’t you think?

Take a look at this picture…

What about this one?

About now, you are probably wondering ....where the hell is this place …and more important…why am I not there?

Well…actually…you can go there! Come and find me in Paros, Greece. J Lots to do and lots to enjoy! This blog will try to give you a flavor of places worth visiting and things doing in the island. In this blog I will be sharing with you the very best on how the locals do it, on how the ‘Parians’ enjoy the good life!

So, let the blog begin..!! Join me into this endless journey….of images, tastes and smells. Get exposed to the beauty of Paros and enjoy the ride!! J

xxx

Locallita