Jeff--Saturday
My last few posts have addressed challenges facing Greece in
particular, and the world in general. I
thought it time to take a break, and point out what’s drawn me for four decades
to consider Mykonos home. But how best
to show tourists what they can find if they look?
That’s when I remembered a post I put up a little over six
years ago, featuring a sublime collection of Mykonos images by Swiss
photographer—and mystery novel fanatic—William Griffiths. William’s roots run deep in Mykonos and in
these photographs he captures the essence of a place many think of as just one
big 24/7 party venue.
Whenever I’m asked what makes Mykonos special I always say it’s the Mykonian people, for somehow, amid all the in-season bustle of their island, they manage to live their lives in keeping with traditional ways. But Griffiths reminds us that there is also a soul to the place separate and distinct from its people.
I’m grateful to my friend for allowing me to post his copyrighted photographs (all are now on notice) and to see much more of his work check out William Griffiths’ website, The Dream Lives On.
By the way, I thought of adding descriptions to the photographs, but decided it was better not to disturb this purely visual effort at giving you "a sense of place." My contribution this week was in selecting the photographs to post out of the hundreds I was given...and believe me it would have been simpler (and faster) to have written a novella than play photo editor. It ain't my skill set, folks.
—Jeff
Jeff’s Upcoming Events
Jeff’s Upcoming Events
The book tour for my ninth Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis
novel, AN AEGEAN APRIL, wraps up
today in snowy, sub-zero Minneapolis.
And to think that it all started a month ago in sunny Scottsdale. How quickly life can change. J
Saturday, February 3 @ 12 PM
Once Upon A Crime
Minneapolis, MN
Posts
Lovely photos of a lovely place.
ReplyDeleteBut what I'd really like to see is the folks that paint those blue and red balconies, hanging over the surf as it endlessly beats against the rocks below...
Come visit and I shall show you, grasshopper.
DeleteI do enjoy these photos and posts. Thank you. In a day or two when you have rested up, I am going to reach out for wise counsel.
ReplyDeleteI’ll see who I can put you in touch with. :)
DeleteSuch gorgeous photos! I can definitely see why Greece, and Mykonos in particular, sang to you. It's a place of great beauty and character.
ReplyDeleteJust like you. :)
DeleteThanks for sharing these, Jeff. Glad to be reminded of what transcends politics of the day.
ReplyDeleteSadly, each day it’s getting tougher and tougher to find such moments.
DeleteExcellent post. Hopefully I can visit Mykonos one day soon. I sat at your table at Left Coast Crime in Monterey and I wanted to congratulate you on your latest book. Also, I wanted to tell you about a YouTube video that talks about how China is suddenly pouring money into Greece as there way of making a European "friend" who will vote their way at the UN. Did you know this? Might be fodder for a new crime novel! (I'll put the link in the next comment.)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely double check these people's facts.
ReplyDeleteYouTube Channel - China Uncensored
How China Is Infiltrating Greece
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX6Mr48vB_Q
Hi George. Great to hear from you as I sit amidst anything but Monterey style weather.:) Thanks, too, for the kind words on An Aegean April.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Chinese influence on Greece, that's not something new with SYRIZA. The You Tube piece is a bit flippant and I wouldn't be surprised if motivated by an an agenda, but certainly the Chinese are investing in Greece--as they are wherever they can gain access.....See Michael Stanley's recent Kubu book addressing the Chinese influence in Africa. As I see it, the bottom line to all this is that if other nations are not prepared to do business with countries in need, what do they expect those countries to do?
I should mention that Chinese tourism to Greece has simply exploded over the past few years, so China's economic influence on Greece is broader than just infrastructure investment.
In keeping with the video's rather tiresome analogy to a virtuous soul pursued for carnal reasons by a flattering suitor, let's just say that those who take their relationships for granted and ignore the most basic needs of their mates, shouldn't be surprised to learn one day that their mates are now in the arms of the flatterers.
The Chinese play in Greece is still in the first Act, so I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't work itself into a Kaldis book down the road. Thanks for the idea, George.
This is interesting about Chinese investment and tourism in Greece. I find it fascinating.
ReplyDeleteHope to see it in a Kaldis book at some point.