Doing the Zorba

July 7, 2004 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: europe 
Izumi in MykonosRight now Izumi and I are kicking back on the Greek Island of Mykonos and are looking to make our way to Mytilini tomorrow. The winds have picked up a little today with talk that the ferries or planes will not be running tomorrow. What a devastating thought to be stranded on a beautiful tropical island for another day!

Lee in SantoriniWe had the good fortune to be on the island of Santorini for the European Cup soccer 1/2 Final where Greece beat the Czech Republic. That island rocked hard after that victory. Izumi and I were in a local taverna and were the only tourists in the joint. At first, the atmosphere was a little tense and we were feeling like real outsiders, but after we joined the crowd in yelling at the referee for his ‘so-called’ bad decisions we were accepted into the “taverna clan” like brethren.

SantoriniAfter Greece won, the guys in the bar erupted. They were dancing, hugging and cuddling. However, just after the man-on-man kissing started I told Izumi it was time for us to leave (but only because I forgot to bring my lip balm that night and my lips were a little dry from the salty breeze).

We then did a 3-hour island hop on a ferry to arrive on the island of Mykonos. This coincided with the Euro Final.

Izumi in MykonosFor the Final, we found a small bar in the Little Venice area. We had a table on a balcony that overhung the ocean with a direct view of the television. The beers that night costed 5 Euro (AUD10) per pop but it was well worth it – the cool breeze of the ocean blowing mildly across the balcony coupled with the heat erupting from the fiery Greek guys and girls (who were sitting at a table across from us) collided to form an ambient yet authentic atmosphere.

The authenticity of being in Greece kind of evaporated when we were served by a gay Finnish out-of-work masseuse who blew kisses to me whenever he served my beer.

Lee in SantoriniWhen Greece won, we had to make a hasty exit from the bar as I knew that although I didn’t bring my lip balm again that night the Finnish guy would have a spare for me :-)

As we walked home along the harbour the streets were alive. People were dancing and singing. Cars were honking horns. A firework display erupted over the harbour. Amateur fireworks were being lit on the beach which shot into the nearby tourist crowd.

Anyways, beers are a calling. I hope that all is well.