Arrival and Awakening
May 11th
It was sunny… yippedy do dah.
Ross and myself had separate rooms and the balcony looked over an architect-designed small hotel.
Everything had been made from scratch to a top-notch standard.
Returning to the Barbie world, it was almost as if the designers had laid down boxes and put individual pools in front of them.
Yes, 5 pools overlooked by 5 balconies occupied by different guests.
We didn’t have a pool… but there was also a shared pool!
I looked down from the balcony and saw the partially balding head of a man with headphones on.
He didn’t know I was looking at the top of his head and I realised that even in the artificial architect-designed world unfortunately you had to cater for imperfect humanity.
I met this chap at breakfast and he kindly asked if we minded him smoking 10 metres away.
He was a large chap who had not seen the sun or a style councillor, but what did that matter… he was kind and courteous… bravo… efcharisto or whatever else they say in Greece.
Dionysus’ sister appeared with trays of food and drinks. She even manhandled… or should I say womanhandled another table over.
Ross joined me and we tucked into the feast delivered.
Because it was early season Dionysus had said we would not have the normal buffet… hence pre-ordering the night before.
I think we had the buffet… laid out on our table!!
Feeling sated we bid Olympus a lovely day and headed off.
The journey to Astakos port was dogged by roadworks with lights for the initial kilometres. It then became a feast for the eyes as we saw the various islands on our right as we skirted the coast.
We felt Ithaca in some shape or form must be over in the distance and we were getting nearer.
As we pulled into Astakos it wasn’t entirely clear where you caught the ferry.
Indeed when you found out where the ferry disembarked trucks and people you wondered how they might battle out of the small town.
Somehow we deduced a good spot to leave the car.
We got on and they crammed me up to the side of the ferry inner wall.
To such an extent that I had to move the Discovery to get out of the car door.
Venturing to the deck I was soon requested to re-park the car. I respectfully pointed out it would be impossible to get out.
In the end one of the ferry guys parked it and climbed out via the passenger’s side.
The trip to Sami was uneventful but rather delayed, we got cooked on the front deck.
It wasn’t so sunny and there was a breeze that lulled us into the idea we weren’t getting the UV.
We were.
I was told that the first drop off at Sami lost 90 percent of the big trucks.
When we landed Ithaca I thanked the guy who was doing the gymnastics to get into the car seat.
We drove to Vathy.
I saw Barbara who had been so helpful booking the accommodation and checking the text for the brochure. It was a shame she seemed very stressed booking people into the hotel. Her phone was not working either. As she said… you can’t survive without a phone these days.
We went on to pick up some groceries and replenish our depleted cash.
The key was in the accommodation door and I resolved to have a quick swim.
We dumped the luggage in the respective rooms.
Now it was time to see Janetos.
We drove down to Stavros, the village next to the palace of Odysseus up from Polis Bay.
The Te Kentro bar was full with people having beers and cocktails and wine.
Janetos was working feverishly as usual to service the demand.
His eyes lit up when he saw us.
It was a big hug and a reaffirmation of our connection.
His English is mixed to zero.
My Greek extends to five words.
Anyhow we got a photo with the car and of course had spritz after the customary blast of Chiperol.
Janetos was pleased to see us.
A few people remarked at the car and asked what we were doing.
It didn’t go down well with all however.
Some English bloke had been coming to Ithaca for 30 years and wondered why he hadn’t seen us.
He had done the trip many times by car.
It was only later Ross said he was drunk and not so nice.
Such was my euphoria at arriving in one piece that I didn’t really think somebody would be having a dig for doing something positive like an art show.
How might I be a friend of Janeto?
Anyhow all seemed fine and we wandered over to Delicious for a meal.
We were greeted with open arms at the place. They knew how reasonable we had always been and it counts when the customers you like return.
We had fried cheese, moussaka, chicken.
It was tasty.
We agreed to see Janetos next morning at 9.00am to put up the pictures.
As we were leaving town we saw Rony the local builder from Albania who is doing very well for himself.
He is always very pleasant and offered some advice on the art show.
He even said he might send help.
12th May
The day dawned and we headed to Stavros.
Janeto was waiting and his brother Harri also turned up with his wife.
All the family are a joy.
We got some of the big pictures out and it all seemed to work.
We had 4 big pictures.
Adam and Eve.
Janetos front.
The walled landscape.
Tree of Life.
… Janeto feverishly took down the old stuff and we replaced with the smaller black and white exhibition pieces.
This went on for 5 hours.
We got most of it up.
A few finishing touches only needed.
We were in business.
Janeto and the family were overjoyed.
It looked good I have to say.
See the photos.
We all donned our T-shirts.
It looked like a friendly get-together.
Which it was.
Let’s see how it goes.
David Jackson
13.05.2026
