July 29th, 30th and 31st: Around Naoussa village, Paros

Georgios, Karina and me

Map of Paros island. Karina's place is in the central north coast in the town of Naoussa

July 29th:

Boat laundry

Naoussa from the harbor

The beach near the harbor

Naoussa from the beach

Blue shutters, blue balcony

Walk to the northwest coast near Cape Korakas

The white-washed houses turn pink at sunset

July 30th:

Morning view from the deck of Karina's apartment

Laundry with blue shutters and blue door (I had to enter the church grounds and climb onto a wall to get this view)

Little fish for dinner snack

Delicious octopus

Evening walk to the lighthouse

Karina's brother, Barry, and his daughter, Intan, on the walk to the lighthouse

View from the lighthouse

Naoussa across the bay (from near the lighthouse)

I've been keeping strange hours on Paros, hanging out with Georgios and Karina after they close their restaurant, which is usually after 1AM. On the night of the 30th, we decided to go to the main harbor, where all the young tourists are, to find some live music. It was amazing - at 4AM when we headed home, the streets were still packed with tourists, and all the shops were still open. (There were even children sitting outside the clubs playing cards.) The locals have a love-hate relationship with the tourist industry. For 325 days a year Paros is a peaceful, quiet paradise. Then for 40 days from the end of July through August, the holiday season overwhelmes the place. Many shops are open for just these 40 days. It is mostly young Greeks on vacation. Sitting and watching them, it felt like a fashion show, with their fancy, revealing clothes and high-healed shoes. (I told Georgios I felt like I was in a science fiction movie where they killed off all the old people, and all the people that remained were young and beautiful.) The islanders need the tourism to survive (as Karina said, "They can't make a living just fishing any more."), but it has totally changed the culture and atmosphere of the island. One local musician who is friends with Georgios and Karina said that next year he is leaving during these 40 days.

July 31st:

Morning walk through the town, on my way to the east coast (It is quiet now, but it was packed last night with young Greeks on holiday.)

"This is the magic of Greece. This, what do you call it, . . .labyrinth." Georgios said to me as we walked through the old town late last night. Last night you could barely pass through these narrow streets, but this morning all is quiet.

Really clear Agean Sea on the east coast of Paros.

I went on a really long walk today, it took over three hours - east from Naoussa to the coast, then down the east coast to the village of Ambelas.

View of Ambelas

Umbrella in Ambelas. There is something very provocative about this one splash of color (other than blue, of course).

Laundry in Ambelas

Back to Naoussa (view from my favorite seat in Karina's Taverna)