Apocalyse Now

Spoke to Nadia when I got back to Nikolas' - spoke for about half an hour again. Hope she'll be alright on the flight over. I then had a little siesta, followed by a trip into Skala to get some postcards and stamps. After this I rode over the hill towards Meloi beach but turned right at the little chapel and headed down to Aspri beach instead. It was just lovely - secluded, empty except for a young Japanese couple. I went in for a swim and put my goggles on and swam over to the front of some holiday units right on the water. There were large numbers of sea urchins nestled amongst the rocks and many small-to-medium-sized fish swimming around.

Since then I've been out to dinner and had some dolmades followed by a whole stuffed calamari - done in the local style. Really very good.

Some things I've been meaning to write down: I was impressed by how little I noticed Turkish men checking out women walking by. Plenty of Turkish women dress quite provocatively but I think the men were more respectful in general than what a bunch of Aussie blokes would be. Greek men remind me more of Australians!

I didn't stay that long in either monastery today. I  think the religiosity of it all just left me a bit cold. It's fascinating that cultures like this develop and that traditions are kept alive over such a long time. But my cathedral has for its ceiling the heavens, for its floor the earth beneath our feet. I am closer to the Divine sitting on a beautiful secluded beach, smiling at a friendly little dog, or puffing and panting up a steep hill whilst wondering at the crystal blue of the Aegean washing the rocks below. I think the weary attitude of the priest at the Monastery of St. John also saddened me. It's a sacred place and every day between 8am and 1:30pm, it is flooded with disrespectful idiots. I don't know why they allow it.

There was one women, Greek, at the monastery of St. John who prayed with anguished groans, prostrating herself in front of the icons. There is great power in this for those who believe.

I'm feeling strangely flat this evening - can't think why. It's been difficult speaking to Nadia without having a private space in which to talk and because of the infernal delay on the line. She said today that she doesn't want to do this again - I agree and I've already said it myself. I don't want to be away from her at all, certainly not for two whole weeks. I miss her and want to share everything with her, including the experiences I'm having right now.

I think the real reason I'm feeling flat is related to what I've just written - it's because what I've been doing today seems a bit hollow without Nadia here to share it with.

I also forgot to mention, there's an Italian family staying here with a little 3 year old girl - it's been nice hearing her cute little voice speaking Italian - reminds me of the impossibly cute little Nadia of cappuccetto rosso fame!