“This erosion is not working!” Sennen said of the sand at Kampos Beach the other day. Beaches like Petra and Lampi have only pebbles. Some, like Livadi Geranou, Vagia and Meloi are a mix of pebbles and sand. And then there are the sand beaches of Agriolivadi and and Kampos – easily the most popular with families. Only, the sand is not as fine as a California beach let alone the baby powder sand of Ko Samet, Thailand.
Clearly, this is a failure of the erosion process. Had it been working properly, the sand would be smoother and more enjoyable. It’s a very Sennen thought and statement. I’m just surprised it took until age 13 for him to say it.
I was a little more surprised when the next day at Vagia he scooped up sand in an empty plastic water bottle and began shaking vigorously saying, “I’m going to help erosion along. We can accelerate this.”
Like many Sennen projects, it didn’t last long – because, well, it didn’t work, even though there’s a basis to the idea.
While Sennen may never have his Thai powder sand on Patmos, he and all of us enjoy swimming every day.We have taken one day off from the beach, but replaced it with the swimming pool at Pleiades. Whether or less pebbles, organized with lounge chairs or disorganized with our own beach chairs and umbrellas – the kids spend their afternoons living their best beach life. Adding Ethan to the mix hasn’t changed the kids’ ability to self-entertain and swim endlessly. Nor has it diminished their resentment and whining about sunscreen breaks and discussions about why they have to use Neutrogena Beach Defense 60+ instead of the local (more expensive per unit) sunscreen with lower SPF – even though they tan well all the same.
Some days they bring a volleyball, some days not. All have shifted towards wearing goggles – something Ailyn immediately began immediately, remembering how salty the water here is. But mostly they swim, come up with games, tackle one another like puppies and eat giant cucumbers, oranges, apricots and other produce while they lounge around between swims.
By early evenings, at least the boys, if not all three kids like to go to the gym and on Sunday when the gym is closed, they went on a long bike ride. Ethan likes to stay active and it drives Sennen to do the same.
The kids usually help with errands in the mornings, taking out garbage and recycling every-other-day and Sennen likes to cook – often making breakfast and helping with dinner. He’s especially proud of the very hot coals he produced the other day and plans to recreate tonight.
After dinner – which typically between 8:30 and 9:00 like true Greeks – the kids sometimes go out – bike riding, seeing what’s happening around town, getting gelato, shopping…. they seemed to like having the freedom and independence in the evening, but are rarely gone for more than an hour.
Days typically start and end with a little TV – watching a movie, sports or Young Sheldon to wake up slowly or unwind after a hard Patmos day.
All-in-all, island life seems to agree with the kids.
We’ve talked several times about a side trip – maybe to a nearby island just to see something different, or maybe taking the ferry between Patmos and Kusadasi that comes and goes four times a week. The interest is mild – with Sennen being the most in-favor. This happens most years where the idea of seeing new places sounds good until faced with the shocking reality of leaving the island. The ferry dock seems so benign until you’re crossing it.
Nonetheless, the kids very much want to leave the island for Boat Day – which is now scheduled for Saturday. Iakovos (Greek for Jacob) skipped two days due to weather and currents. Strong winds between islands – especially the crossing between Patmos and Lipsi – can ruin a tourist’s day. So we’re booked for the next possible opportunity. Iakovos knows us well and assured me we’ll be going to all the good stops – including our favorites of Macronisi with it’s giant stone arches and Aspronisi – an island made of pure white rock and white stone beaches. Jumping off he boat and swimming through these places are highlights of the summer. Thanks to her new electronic anti-nausea wristband, Ailyn is happy to go this year and Ethan seems very excited at the idea of jumping off boats and anything else he can climb.
I’m looking forward to it. Nothing feels quite so much like summering in the Greek islands as Boat Day.
As of yesterday, we have three weeks remaining. Not short, not long. I could be wrong, and I don’t want to jinx it, but it feels like we’ve found our rhythm. It’s not terribly different from prior years, but it has adjusted to account for the kids’ ages and the addition of Ethan. Every year is both the same and different.
Meanwhile, I have in bits and pieces begun work on realizing the kids’ “visions” of the front yard. I’ve ordered solar-powered strings of lights and begun shopping outdoor furniture. I’m going through the process of weighing the costs and benefits of buying from the very nice people at the local furniture shop – who mostly order from catalogs – or shopping online from companies within Greece that ship easily to the islands.
Like most projects related to the house, it’s a lot more complicated than it would be in the US. However, I’m confident we can make the front yard garden a beautiful, living area. If I’ve learned anything from having a house here, it’s patience. I’ll get it all done – just not on my preferred timeline and with more steps and coaxing than seems necessary. In the end, the time I spend on my garden that will make it so important.
