by jazz4111 on Sat May 07, 2011 2:03 am
I have a quick story regarding the Hydra/Spetses discussion. In 1976 I was staying for the Fall season on Hydra with my 6 month old daughter. Coming back from Athens one day, I encountered a young American couple taking a holiday after the husband had completed a 3 month International residency program in pediatric at an Athens hospital. They were on their way to Spetses. Over a bottle of shared wine on the ferry (there were NO hydrofoils in those days) I tried to convince them they would enjoy Hydra much more. I told them what a mgical, transformative place it was. In a moment of bibulous enthusiasm, I even invited them to join me in the large house (Kellogg house) I was renting. They looked dubious at my spontaneous hospitality and I waved goodbye to them from the port as they continued on to Spetses. Next evening while shopping, who should I encounter in a local cafe, but the young American couple. "Oh," they said, "you were right, Spetses is nice but can't hold a candle to Hydra!" Laughing in assent, I said, "come and have lunch with me on my terrace and you can see how people on lovely Greek islands live during the Fall & Winter." And they did. They were planning on spending three more days on Hydra and then were off to his next posting in London for another 3 months.
So imagine my shock when I encountered the wife at a port-side cafe four days later, accompanied by a young French painter. "Oh," she said, "I really need to talk to you! You were right about this place! It is magical! I got so tired of schedules and hospitals and constant studies with my husband. I met Pierre here and he invited me to spend the winter with him (she was very attractive) and so I sent my husband on by himself. I don't know what he'll tell our parents, but I'm staying here!"
I found that to be a very typical Hydra experience, but couldn't help but feeling if I'd only kept quiet on the boat, and let them go on to Spetses they might still be happily married!
Jazz
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