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August 27, 2008
Rhodes closure
It's time to say goodbye to Rhodes, for the time being at least. Perhaps we'll return in the cold months after Christmas, when we need the warmth. But for now it's tutty bye. And we'll bow out with Maggie, our waitress.
She has worked seven days a week since the end of March, and will do until the end of October. At first it's painting, varnishing and cleaning, getting the restaurant ready - until the tourists begin to arrive,and then it's waitressing. She says it's strange when the final night comes in October. She says 'goodbye' to the people who she's spent every day of the last six months with - and goes home. 'See you soon!' they all say - but all know they will not see each other again til April next year.
For the first couple of days, she doesn't know what to do with herself, but then settles into new routines. Six months off has it's own rhythm. She's from Walthamstow in London, but came to live here eight years ago, after coming for holidays. Will she go back for Christmas? No. Going back to England is exhausting and expensive. Everyone wants to see her, and is offended if they don't - and everyone wants a present. So she'll stay here for Christmas - and cook a roast, while everyone else on the island has salad.
Does she miss anything? 'No - apart from pickled onions. You can't get them here. But it's hardly the end of the world. There's life beyond pickled onions.'
Controversial! And on that bomb shell, we leave the wonderfully hot and old island of Rhodes. Our adventures just cannot be contained there any more.
Posted by Mr Bojangles at August 27, 2008 12:23 PM
Comments
This comment concerns the previous blog: 'Some Fucking bastard!'
You're a writer of course, but funny that I laughed at your rage. It was hilariously put, those swear words. And so satisfying. We know how you feel. But for you - not funny. It feels bloody awful to have somebody steal from uou.Ahh yes the feeling. Did you f e e l it. Maybe that's what made you come out of it able to trust or go with the flow. Don't think I've done that. Like to.
Posted by: Ann at September 10, 2008 10:17 PM