środa, 25 grudnia 2013

my first X-mas in Crete part 1: PANTA REI

 
Christmas Eve:
When it is not possible to spend that time with a family, 
it is good then to be surrounded by kind and sincere people. 
We haven't chosen our relatives, but we do choose people we wanna share meal with. 
What i realized is 
how important above other things 
is to be funny, open-hearted and easy going
For such a person one can always find place 
or even two available places at the table, as it occurred yesterday :)
I had a great evening in international company. 
And it doesn't matter sometimes we lost between words.
The only expectation was to enjoy meal and wine 
and it was the best.
 I guess, it was also the noisiest table squad in the village.

It just remind me something:
Years ago friend of mine was sent to meet relatives living in Wienna. 
The guy was young and shy and had problems with German language with Austrian specific accent. His father gave him advice:
"Son, be kind and smile. Even when you don't understand, smile. 
They can always say: Well, he's pretty dumb, but at least he's nice..."
The boy passed away long time ago, but those words stayed secure in my memory. 
Because in the end, when everything flows, what stays? What matters?

Not the presents and for sure not the tons of food, 
which "go with the flow" the fastest.

Today with the storm started very fast, 
water got high in a blink of an eye, 
just little streams everywhere and wall of water

as old Heraclitus said once: Everything flows

refreshing intensive shower
...and clear blue sky appeared again
very fast
They say that everything changes and the only thing you can be sure about, 
is that it will change. The life here teaches me this almost everyday.
Πάντα ῥεῖ (panta rhei): everything flows.

niedziela, 15 grudnia 2013

Captivating emptiness

Triopetra in December

Triopetra Labirynt
Triopetra Labirynth
Agios Pavlos overview

gone with The WIND

Agia Galini, Crete, december wind
Agia Galini, Crete, december wind
Agia Galini, Crete, december wind
Agia Galini, Crete, december wind
Agia Galini, Crete, december wind

sobota, 14 grudnia 2013

wtorek, 19 listopada 2013

when lights go down

Agia Galini, 
19th of Nov, late afternoon. 

Power blackout?

No problem, 
it is always temporary.
No need to suspend things that were in progress.
People stoically were continuing their jobs or social life.

Like on the picture 
- hairdresser is still doing client's hair, 
just with little "illuminating" assistance.

niedziela, 17 listopada 2013

Matala - hippie & happy

Matala is on the TO DO-To SEE list in every guide book, next to Knossos Palace, Phaistos Palace, Samaria Gorge and venetian harbours of Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion. Famous caves made already from Neolithic Age, in the cliffs above the sea, were later used in the first christianity centuries as tombs.

pic. from: Culthole blogspot
According to myths, Zeus as huge white bull, seduced princess Europa and brought her exactly to Matala beach.
Matala was also a port village for Gortys.

But what really attracts tourists nowadays is the genius loci of this fishing village which was in 1960's discovered by hippies and occupied by them for a long time.
I  give just a few pictures from Matala BEFORE the high season. 
Place is beautiful, but what makes it special are definately people: guests, wanderers, travellers, neo-hippies, lonely wolves and free birds. 
Since 2011 there were three editions of Matala Beach Festival every Junedetails are here  and i hope Festival will develop.

pic.from: unique crete blogspot.

This is how Matala looks in high season:
 Because this is not really my thing, i would not stay there to spent my precious holiday time as escape from work and stress. 
You really have to like it and finding yourself well in colorful crowd.
 If you do - well it is perfect destination.


Nevertheless, everyone should absolutely visit Matala, see the caves, get a refreshing drink in one of lovely, crazy places, in the village or on the cliffs and think about graffiti sentence from Matala:

TODAY IS LIFE, TOMORROW NEVER COMES