Folegandros, an Unexpected Sojourn
Travelled in October 2004, written in 2005.
It was all because of the word “authentic Greece”on the Lonely Planet guidebook that I decided to make a stop on this little island. I was planning to be there for one night only, however, the windy and storm-prone weather made boats banished from its port. So, without choices to leave for any other place, I was there for three nights.
Almost all commercial places were shut up as there are usually no tourists from early October; few local stores were open for a small number of local people. Fooling around on pathways and not knowing what to do, I, as an individual traveler, looked pathetic and felt that four days was quite a long time. Nevertheless, the island still constituted a part of my sweet memories, as every other destination does.
I spent one afternoon with a souvenir shop owner, being shown around the island and treated with small dishes plus Turkish coffee and Ouzo drink. In his tiny backyard and by the sand beach, we chatted about his background, business and leisure, a simple and rustic life. Such routine and relaxing living is what I envy but have not dared to try yet: owning a small shop in tourist reason, enjoying self in the rest of year through traveling, swimming or gardening. That does not sound difficult, doesn’t it?
Another more serendipitous encounter is with a cat which I was not able to recognize its gender. I would prefer to consider it a girl as we had one night sleep together. :-p She should have ever been a home cat as she was so amicable and dear that always stayed by my side on the bed. (Well, I did test on her to make sure that she wanted me rather than the warm blanket.). I enjoyed the feeling of being needed. Perhaps I shall raise my own cat in a near future.
With white villages, azure ocean and a domed church, etc., technically Folegandros is not so much distinguished from other Cyclydic islands. But its peace and simpleness set up unique charm still and starts being occupied by tourists (especially Germans) in summer. I would not say my travel there was really a Robinson type, but it is definitely one of my most slow-paced and life-alike tourist experiences. It showed me the happiness of being a relaxing wanderer rather than a hurried tourist.
It was all because of the word “authentic Greece”on the Lonely Planet guidebook that I decided to make a stop on this little island. I was planning to be there for one night only, however, the windy and storm-prone weather made boats banished from its port. So, without choices to leave for any other place, I was there for three nights.
Almost all commercial places were shut up as there are usually no tourists from early October; few local stores were open for a small number of local people. Fooling around on pathways and not knowing what to do, I, as an individual traveler, looked pathetic and felt that four days was quite a long time. Nevertheless, the island still constituted a part of my sweet memories, as every other destination does.I spent one afternoon with a souvenir shop owner, being shown around the island and treated with small dishes plus Turkish coffee and Ouzo drink. In his tiny backyard and by the sand beach, we chatted about his background, business and leisure, a simple and rustic life. Such routine and relaxing living is what I envy but have not dared to try yet: owning a small shop in tourist reason, enjoying self in the rest of year through traveling, swimming or gardening. That does not sound difficult, doesn’t it?
Another more serendipitous encounter is with a cat which I was not able to recognize its gender. I would prefer to consider it a girl as we had one night sleep together. :-p She should have ever been a home cat as she was so amicable and dear that always stayed by my side on the bed. (Well, I did test on her to make sure that she wanted me rather than the warm blanket.). I enjoyed the feeling of being needed. Perhaps I shall raise my own cat in a near future.
With white villages, azure ocean and a domed church, etc., technically Folegandros is not so much distinguished from other Cyclydic islands. But its peace and simpleness set up unique charm still and starts being occupied by tourists (especially Germans) in summer. I would not say my travel there was really a Robinson type, but it is definitely one of my most slow-paced and life-alike tourist experiences. It showed me the happiness of being a relaxing wanderer rather than a hurried tourist.
