Oia, Santorini, Greece.

May6/05 7:00 a.m.

Since I mentioned Oia in my last entry, I thought it fitting that I continue the April – July 2005 journey.

A light breeze ruffles the pages of this journal. Sparrows, gulls and a few, as yet, nameless aviators play in its currents. The sun’s journey to rim of the caldera is arduous and it has not yet made its light or warmth a comfort.

On the next balcony, a lean black cat licks its paws and below me, at a more upscale pension, a solitary pool boy, clad in white and in harmony with his surroundings moves silently swabbing an invisible deck. A ferry sounds its horn. We are in Oia, Santorini. I used to respond when asked the question “ Which place did you like best in your travels, which was the most beautiful?”

“They’re all differently beautiful.” Was my usual response. After our stay on Oia, I added “ except for Santorini which is more beautiful than all the rest.

The town cascades down the rim of the ancient Volcano, Thera. It is rumoured that in the waters below lies the city of fabled Atlantis. Some say that the eruption in 1600 b.c. may have caused the fall of the Minoan civilization. In any case, as I glance downwards, I can see below me the fragmented remains of a mountain blown to smithereens by the power of the explosion.

As if to show the gods of the underworld that they had no fear, the brazen residents of this magical island perched their town precariously on the face of the multi hued cliffs. It is a marvel to behold.

The Kalo Pasca ( Greek Easter) had occurred the previous week ,while we were on the island of Paros, and the tradition of whitewashing the homes and other buildings for the holiday, gave the rounded roofs of the edifices a brilliant sparkle in the rising sun.

We had sent two tourists we had met on Paros and who had admired our lodgings there, to the Thea studios on Santorini and so when we arrived, we were greeted effusively by Vangelis, the owner of the small hotel.

“Hello Harvey! Welcome. I am excited to meet you. Your friends just left and they left you a letter. What a nice thing you did. I have best room in the house for you.”

And he did, it was a lovely double room with a balcony that overlooked the sea. Greek pastry and double Greek coffee in the morning at the local bakery, nice neighbors with whom we traveled the island and the resplendent beauty of Santorini.