On the Beach

After six days the conflagration on Rhodes is finally abating and the tourists who were evacuated from their hotels have now been returned to them. The environmental impact of the fires is incalculable, however, and likely to be felt for years to come. It takes decades for trees to grow in Greece’s Mediterranean climate with its long hot summers and short wet winters. Despite the promises made by the ruling New Democracy party in the wake of last summer’s devastating fires in Greece, there is general dissatisfaction that little if anything has been done to prevent the same problems from recurring. Meanwhile a man was arrested at the weekend for trying to start a fire in Rhodes’ famous Valley of the Butterflies.

Here on Symi it is very quiet during the day. Not because there are no tourists, although many shops and restaurants are complaining that business is down on last year, but because everyone is on the beach. On Sunday afternoon Chorio and Yialos were deserted but St Nicholas and Agia Marina were humming and the water taxis are certainly busy. There has been a good turn out at the various Symi Festival events so far and by all accounts the opening night was a resounding success. Unfortunately Nicholas and I had to miss the opening night this year which was a great pity as we normally enjoy watching it from the 'opera box' locale of a friend's house on Mavrovouni.

The meltemi has blown away the heat haze and the night skies are quite spectacular. The stars hang low in the sky and the lights along the Turkish coast twinkle on the horizon. Moonlight paints purple and silver shadows across the Pedi valley and owls hoot in the olive groves.

Have a good week.

Regards,
Adriana