IF IT’S TUESDAY: This must be Samos

Welcome to the Greek Islands and the island of Samos

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My first introduction to the Greek Islands in 1993 was arriving at the island of Samos after travelling by boat from Kuşadası,Turkey. This photo was taken my first day walking around the waterfront, soaking in the sights. Probably not long after indulging in my first taste of REAL Greek Yoghurt with honey.!! hmmmm heaven! and also before the climb of 200 or so steps back to my room! This is one of the few photos I have from this island, most likely because of all the steps!! Suffice to say, we didn’t stay there long before travelling on to Mykonos. I have already posted on Mykonos [here].. but I will see if I can dig up some more for you.

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Now the good news is I found my stash of travel photos. A few hundred or so!! The bad news is the new scanner is not working and I am under the influence of FLU! so must go back to bed. More later.

This post is linked to Waterside Wednesday hosted by http://barbarajacksier.blogspot.com/ . Pop over via the link above to see more Waterside Wednesday participants

IMAGE SOURCE: by me [being Ruby]

IF IT’S TUESDAY: This must be Santorini

Santorini. More beautiful than your imagination.

Even the plastic chairs and TV aerials cannot distract from the natural beauty of this very special place on earth. The year I took this photo ..1996. After travelling through Italy for seven weeks it seemed ‘necessary’ to rest up in the Greek Islands before returning home. Of course, the Greek Islands is the last place you should visit to rest physically. The mental break more than compensates.

As mentioned in my Mykonos post [here], I missed seeing Santorini on my first trip to Europe. So back I went, this time determined to make Santorini the first destination. I was only there 3 days and let me say it was hard to leave, and in many respects I never have. Something changed in me during this time.

Not a tangible change. More a discovery of the potential to be free. Free of one’s personal boundaries that tie much tighter than those imposed by others. A letting go. Places of great beauty can do this to you. They cast their spell and spin their magic [sorry cliché but true].

I’d like to say I live each day now free, but of course back in my ‘real’ life I quickly fell back to old habits. What I have retained though, is this distant memory, a knowledge, or promise of what is possible.

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Here’s to Personal Freedom

It’s all in your mind!

Ciao Julie

xxx

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IMAGE SOURCE: [beingRuby]

IF IT’S TUESDAY: This must be Mykonos

Well you should be used to it by now! That is… Tuesday being Wednesday! Today I bring you MYKONOS. Little Venice in Mykonos to be exact! And in 3 colour variations. So this was my first time to Mykonos, and just like it’s namesake, ‘Little Venice’ had me at ‘Hello’!

Pardon the scratchy marks [top left corner]. These are scanned copies of my original photo taken in 1993. This poor little pic has been moved from house to house, photo frame to photo frame [you get the idea]. Hence scratchy itchy bits!!! But scratchy and all… I still love it!!

Image #2 is the original colour!!!

Images #1 & #3 are just a few variations to keep your visit interesting.

Little Venice

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[no 4 added 17-7-2009]

[source – beingRuby]

Which variation do YOU prefer ?

Well I have to say Mykonos is a dream. A fantasy that traps you within it's grasp. Never ending winding cobbled paths that seem to change each day you venture out. Turn left and you might find a huddle of cute shops vending their wares. Turn right and suddenly you come to a full stop with nothing but sea ahead of you. It takes days to remember which little cafe marks the turn back to your hotel. But that is part of the adventure!

I was suppose to stay 3 days and then move on to Santorini, but I couldn't bring myself to leave. 10 days later I flew back to London before heading off to Hawaii and then home. I was so disappointed that I missed Santorini ... I went back 3 years later!

I do hope you enjoyed a taste of Mykonos. There are more IF IT'S TUESDAY posts [here] and maybe next week I will bring you Santorini [if I can wait till then!]

NB I fixed my boo boo [don't think anyone noticed!]

Image no4 added 17-07-2009 - another attempt at sepia