Friday, July 23, 2021

The Good, the Bad, and The ?


Jeff–Saturday

 

What is good, what is bad, and whatever is else is a matter of perspective.  For example, the photo at the head of this post is of Giannis Antetokoumpo, the newest member of the pantheon of Greek gods.  That is, if you’re Greek and/or a fan of the new National Basketball League Champion Milwaukee Bucks. 

 

The “Greek Freak,” as this 26-year-old-phenomenon has been called, was born in Athens to undocumented Nigerian immigrant parents, and together with his brothers (two of whom also play for NBA teams) helped support their family by hawking watches and sunglasses on Athens streets. If you want to know more about his remarkable story, this is a good place to start.

 

On the other hand, if you happen to be a fan of the Phoenix Suns –who lost to the Bucks in the championship finals–you might have a less laudatory opinion of this Greek King of Basketball.   

 

The same holds true when it comes to choosing your perfect vacation spot.  “Different strokes for different folks” could well have coined by a publicist for the Greek islands experience.

 

Conspicuously absent from the following photos of my recent jaunts over the past couple of weeks, are any of Mykonos’ world class beach bars and clubs that attract so many during the day, and of its equivalent late-night venues offering similar draws at night.

 

It’s not that I’m against them—or avoid them—it’s just that, at the moment, they’re not operating at full throttle, and it seemed unfair to draw them into a discussion of this sort while incapacitated. Instead, I’m focusing on alternative beach experiences available on Mykonos, as well as one I found on the neighboring island of Tinos.

 

All of this has been done, of course, as part of my in-depth, relentless research for the next Andreas Kaldis book.  At least that’s my story…and I’m sticking to it.

 

The Super-rich long ago discovered Mykonos.

 




But there are other discoveries to be made.

 







There are the packed beaches

 



And the unpacked.

 



And then there’s Tinos’ most undiscovered beach…at least to me.

 






But above it all, it’s about finding joy no matter where you may be.


 

We wish you all a safe and joyful summer holiday.

 

–Jeff

 

Jeff’s upcoming events

Wednesday and Thursday, August 11& 12
Fish & Olive Gallery—Halki, Naxos Island, Greece
European presentation of A Deadly Twist on the island where it is set
Learn more

Thursday, August 26, 5:00-5:50 p.m.
Bouchercon 2021—New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Marriott—La Galeries 2, 2nd Floor
Moderator, Mystery of Crafting Thrillers Set in Foreign Lands

Friday, August 27, 11:00-11:50 a.m.
Bouchercon 2021—New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Marriott—La Galeries , 4-5. 2nd Floor
Panelist, Thrillers in the World of Politics



8 comments:

  1. Lovely. I echo your final thoughts.

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  2. The deserted beaches have always been my preferred option, especially when arrived at by sea. And that was *before* Covid hit. Even more so now.

    You and Barbara are looking well!

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    1. Ours too, Zoë, on the beaches...difficult as that is in high season.

      So far so good on the "well" part, but life sure is interesting. Hope all's well with you too.

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  3. My Brother, I know you are trying to make us envious with those beautiful sunlit pictures. Seeing you an Barbara looking so happy dispels any such negative feelings in me. I LOVE the Giannis story!! I am fond of pointing out that Steve Jobs was the son of an immigrant from Homs, Syria. Offering refuge to immigrants is “casting bread upon the waters!!!”

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    1. Envious, Sis? Never. Just reporting on the last (non-Covid) state of affairs over here in this paradise of cooling breezes, crystal clear blue-green sea...okay, I'll stop now.

      As for Giannis, I also love the story, but I think there's little doubt how different his life --and that of his entire family--would have been but for his extraordinary basketball skills.

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  4. I can't get past my awe at the color of the sky and water. Wish that view was outside my living room windows.

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    1. Nor can I, Kathy. No matter how often I see it I never get used to it!

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