I had this really catchy title for my post today. “From Never Neverland to One-Half-Too-Cleverland.” I planned on exploring the differences
between Mykonos and Athens, for on Tuesday I leave the former for the
latter.
It seemed the appropriate occasion for such a piece, what
with Mykonos having come off a high season seemingly impervious to the financial
crisis wreaking havoc upon the rest of Greece—the island still attracts rich
tourists spending as if there’s no tomorrow, though the current crop hails from
countries east (near and far) of here…and I don’t mean Cyprus—while Athens is
laid siege by editorial headlines suggesting a polity unable to stay out of its
own way: “A country striving for normality,” “Greece wanders in uncertainty’s
wasteland,” “Doing business, but with rules,” “The specter of early elections,”
and “Words are a dangerous thing.” (All from today’s Kathimerini, Greece’s equivalent of The New York Times)
But why get into all that on my last week in Greece? Yes, the current government is dancing along
a tightrope as special interest groups clumped on both ends take turns yanking
on the line, desperately hoping the government can’t make it across (Feel free
to work with me on the metaphor), but as a famous statesman once said, “What?
Me worry?”
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| Honorable Alfred E. Neuman |
Nope, not this week. Maybe next. This week it’s all peace
and love, calm seas and rose sunsets, tranquility and food, and in keeping with
that admonition, today we headed off to a late lunch at one of the most idyllic
(and iconic) spots on Mykonos: Kiki’s at Agios Sostis Beach. You can’t get
there by bus. Only by car, motorbike…or construction vehicle. (Sorry about that
last bit of societal commentary, it just slipped out. I’ll try to control
myself in the future.)
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| Agios Sostis Beach |
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| View From Kiki's |
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| More of a view from Kiki's |
Good friends who live on Mykonos as many months each year as
I do, suggested lunch there, at what “old Mykonos hands” know to be the chicest
spot on the island. In season, if you’re
not in line for lunch by 1PM be prepared for an early dinner. No line-jumping privileges for flashy spenders
in this tiny, vines for a roof, gem. I
rarely get there during season as it’s on the other side of the island from my
home, but in October (just before it closes) Kiki’s is simply magical.
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| Outside |
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| Inside |
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| Inside looking outside |
Don’t take my word for it; decide for yourself.
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| Some of the regulars |
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| The remains of the meal |
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| Sharing the remains of the day |
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| Until next year, my friends |
If you want to know about the car, it’s an old Volkswagon
Kurierwagon. My friends brought it with
them from Germany many years ago, along with a deep love and appreciation for
all things Greek.
Nuf’ said.
Now on to Athens.
Jeff—Saturday
