tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post1375504486109989908..comments2024-03-13T20:42:16.827+02:00Comments on An Octopus in my Ouzo: Success can be judged in different waysJennifer Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14791285838910091918noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-44125003087573818302013-07-03T16:40:07.095+03:002013-07-03T16:40:07.095+03:00Thanks so much, Micky! Hope you like the book. I e...Thanks so much, Micky! Hope you like the book. I enjoy reading your blog also. Thanks for your comments.Jennifer Barclayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14791285838910091918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-89383792390177445762013-07-02T13:42:54.259+03:002013-07-02T13:42:54.259+03:00Hi Jen,
I absolutely agree with your idea of succ...Hi Jen,<br /><br />I absolutely agree with your idea of success. You have a written a lovely book about life on an idyllic island. It would be a great disservice done to the island if what you described gets lost in the hullabaloo of package tourism. The wanderers and explorers would anyway find Tilos and embrace her essence instead of destroying it. <br />And I am ordering 'Falling In Honey' from Amazon. Wishing you more success in living the life you want.<br /><br />Warm regards,<br />Micky (www.bunmaskachai.blogspot.com)Mriganka (Micky) Kalitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03523636489284153587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-37079923121697401242013-03-22T17:30:33.690+02:002013-03-22T17:30:33.690+02:00Dear Anna,
Thank you so much for your message. I&...Dear Anna,<br /><br />Thank you so much for your message. I'm glad you liked the article - I had fun writing it. But as you've gathered, it's easy writing about the joys of this island!<br /><br />I love the idea of the abandoned cantina in Lesvos - you make me want to go and find it. It's good to hear from a fellow writer and lover of life in Greece. Keep in touch.<br /><br />Warm wishes,<br />Jen Jennifer Barclayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14791285838910091918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-85021042600084257472013-03-21T11:16:31.433+02:002013-03-21T11:16:31.433+02:00Hello,
my name is Anna Roins and I just finished...Hello, <br /><br />my name is Anna Roins and I just finished reading your article entitled, 'Writing to the sound of crickets' on EnetEnglish. I really enjoyed it. The tranquillity you must feel on Tilos translates into your writing. <br /><br />I too am living in Greece and find the light soothes my worries and writing sorts my rambling thoughts. I love that you're dating a fisherman. <br /><br />My mother comes from the island of Lesvos. A few years ago, I remember seeing an abandoned cantina on a beach near Agia Paraskeuvi, the village where she grew up. An artist in her 50's lived there during the summer with her younger lover, a shepherd and I must say I found the idea so beguiling; as was falling asleep on the sand nearby and waking up to a warm breeze and ladybugs all over me. <br /><br />It’s very difficult to describe the magic that Greece holds for me but I’m trying. I’ve been working on my first novel for over a year now. Thanks for inspiring me not to give up. I love the name of your blog and I have just subscribed.<br /><br />Anna Roins<br />Anna https://www.blogger.com/profile/08079817738473104045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-71432576808711160532013-03-21T11:13:46.292+02:002013-03-21T11:13:46.292+02:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anna https://www.blogger.com/profile/08079817738473104045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-45372236762706581512013-03-21T11:11:04.447+02:002013-03-21T11:11:04.447+02:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anna https://www.blogger.com/profile/08079817738473104045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-80142315170109676992013-03-21T07:32:05.023+02:002013-03-21T07:32:05.023+02:00Thanks so much, Suzanne! So glad the guest blog wa...Thanks so much, Suzanne! So glad the guest blog was interesting enough to bring you over here :-) Jennifer Barclayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14791285838910091918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-33963905521608464822013-03-20T22:14:19.043+02:002013-03-20T22:14:19.043+02:00Hopped over from Mamma J blog to say hi! I wish yo...Hopped over from Mamma J blog to say hi! I wish you well with your book it sounds wonderful and so does your island home.Suzanne Furnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00908200156114453054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-19284993933508009862013-03-20T11:42:42.969+02:002013-03-20T11:42:42.969+02:00Neither can I... I am not sure whether I have been...Neither can I... I am not sure whether I have been in Tilos in May or if it is only September, but I have been on many other islands in late spring/early summer. And I love it. The light is bright, the days are long, it's getting warmer but everything feels still fresh.<br /><br />Maybe the singers were a choir, then. Not a professional one but people who sing together as a hobby. Sometimes they also arrange "choir trips".mandalakihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17087813250403067567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-63433501680578982372013-03-20T08:15:32.306+02:002013-03-20T08:15:32.306+02:00I love the fact that Nikos gave you eggs and potat...I love the fact that Nikos gave you eggs and potatoes - a shame to lose that kind of taxi service, indeed!<br /><br />Yes, it's true that a lot of land is unused and Vangelis was a big proponent of getting that balance right. I don't understand it - if you saw the poor state of the vegetables on offer in the shops here in the winter, that's incentive enough to grow your own! Maybe people are doing more farming now as the economic crisis has made things that much tougher.<br /><br />Thanks for the comments - much appreciated!Jennifer Barclayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14791285838910091918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-31127935554189180992013-03-20T08:10:31.865+02:002013-03-20T08:10:31.865+02:00Nice idea! And she acts like a princess most of th...Nice idea! And she acts like a princess most of the time anyway...<br /><br />No, the Swedish singers were very respectable and nice and the songs sounded quite formal - I was certainly intrigued!<br /><br />Ah, late May and early June... Can't wait for those early summer days!Jennifer Barclayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14791285838910091918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-88016433473774561042013-03-19T22:54:39.416+02:002013-03-19T22:54:39.416+02:00I considered going for Easter, because it is late ...I considered going for Easter, because it is late this year and the weather will probably be nice and warm. But in the end I decided to go later in May, for a real summer vacation. Last week of May and first two of June. <br /><br />I hope that the singers just not were drunk and singing about drinking, an embarrassing habit that we have. But I guess you would not have mentioned them in your book if that was what happened. <br /><br />I don't know who Vasilis is but about the adorable Lisa's name, why don't you tell him that her real name is βασίλισσα ;-)mandalakihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17087813250403067567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-3606800089822925292013-03-19T21:02:18.483+02:002013-03-19T21:02:18.483+02:00You don't want anyone to make a movie about Fa...You don't want anyone to make a movie about Falling in Honey, just look what a mess they made of that other great book Captain Corelli's Mandolin.<br />Shame about Nicos taxi business, he helped us many times when we were stranded in Eristos,usually calling into his farm to give us eggs and potatoes before dropping us off in Livadia.<br />Tilos needs people to visit the island in the present economic disaster but Vangelis used to say that there was too much land lying waste because nobody could be bothered to farm it - tourism had taken over.<br />Typical of Vasili's humour about LisaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11747435666949692758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-84014473417188180182013-03-19T14:42:27.451+02:002013-03-19T14:42:27.451+02:00Will you be here for Easter, or later in May? Whic...Will you be here for Easter, or later in May? Whichever, it's a lovely time to be here. <br />The Swedish singing in Eristos Beach Hotel was very strange!!<br />Cold here this week, but the sun is shining...Jennifer Barclayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14791285838910091918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-82394701896377619022013-03-18T15:10:58.683+02:002013-03-18T15:10:58.683+02:00Thank you Jennifer!
Maybe I need to add a few line...Thank you Jennifer!<br />Maybe I need to add a few lines, because I realize that what I wrote about tourism in Tilos might sound a bit negative. That is not what I meant, I loved what I found when I returned to Tilos last year.<br />And in May, I'll be back. If you hear somebody singing Swedish songs in the restaurants - it's NOT me. I blushed a little when I read that ;-)...mandalakihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17087813250403067567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-64638285551745893332013-03-18T09:46:22.638+02:002013-03-18T09:46:22.638+02:00I love that 'dangerous read' - thank you! ...I love that 'dangerous read' - thank you! And I appreciate your thoughtful comments and observations... <br />Warm wishes from Tilos!Jennifer Barclayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14791285838910091918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-60819240379842652122013-03-17T16:35:20.947+02:002013-03-17T16:35:20.947+02:00I'd say Tilos already has a massive tourism. T...I'd say Tilos already has a massive tourism. That is, massive for such a small island. BUT: I don't know any other island that has expanded tourism with such gentle hands. I really do hope that the new Mayor continues on that path. <br /><br />And all the Brits that your friends seemed a little bit scared of ;-), I would say they are "good tourists" (from my Swedish point of view). The Brits I have met in Tilos have been Tilos-loving people who take care of their paradise island.<br /><br />I first came to Tilos in 2001, and returned 1-2 times 2002-2003. Then I didn't go back until last year - and a lot had happened. Or not. There were more hotels of course, and the road in Livadia was blocked for cars (yey!) and there was this beautifully paved walk instead. Most of the restaurants were the same (after ten years!) and Michalis in Omonia even had the same shirt ;-).<br /><br />I finished your book yesterday, a really good read. The way you express your love for Tilos - and for Greece - is lovely. I guess very many of us share your dream - and you took the leap. I would say that it was a dangerous book to read. Very dangerous...mandalakihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17087813250403067567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-28218047777401285132013-03-17T16:23:29.480+02:002013-03-17T16:23:29.480+02:00PS - but I suppose I am also saying that Tilos'...PS - but I suppose I am also saying that Tilos' quirkiness and old-fashionedness and warm heart are its Unique Selling Points, and it must keep those in order for people to keep making a living from tourism. Jennifer Barclayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14791285838910091918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-5272691643721202272013-03-17T15:54:52.591+02:002013-03-17T15:54:52.591+02:00Thanks for contributing, but you misunderstand me ...Thanks for contributing, but you misunderstand me - I'm not saying things have to stay the way they are, I'm saying small changes in the true spirit of the island are good for it.<br /><br />Jennifer Barclayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14791285838910091918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-70588506788527427542013-03-17T15:12:32.033+02:002013-03-17T15:12:32.033+02:00You came to Tilos because you liked it as it was. ...You came to Tilos because you liked it as it was. Those who try to support themselves from the resources of the island might like to see things changed. I feel the same way you do, but I am a Romantic and the romance of the world that once was is a wasting asset.<br /><br />As for naming names, travel writing is a three-party transaction: There is the writer, his readers and the people & places he is writing about, and we want to be considerate of all of them. If someplace is in the tourist business, or someone holds themselves out as a local character, I may mention them by name. And as for judging what is public and what is private, I think we ought not apply our own standards, but try to understand what the other person intended. <br /><br />Your mention of "Matt" reminds me that I first went to Greece because of a young lady who decided at the last minute not to go, but since she didn't make the trip she never figures in any of my stories, though I remain grateful all these years later that she caused me to go.DEKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15017391447185559177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549687624161040763.post-17146210155453912472013-03-17T12:23:00.518+02:002013-03-17T12:23:00.518+02:00PPS In spite of everything I've written above,...PPS In spite of everything I've written above, that doesn't mean I don't want Elizabeth Gilbert and Nia Vardalos to join forces and make Falling in Honey: The Movie. That would be OK too.Jennifer Barclayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14791285838910091918noreply@blogger.com