I think I am one of the last romantics when it comes to Greece. No matter how bad the economy is, I long to live there and not only that but I ache to buy a piece of land and be a farmer! Crazy, no?
Well, perhaps not.
I walk through downtown Toronto on my way from the library to the subway and feel like a demented soul. The subway car is full of students and working people since it is early afternoon. No one makes eye contact, everyone is immersed in their phones, the man sitting beside me reeks of alcohol. "Please stand clear of the door, next station is Dundas, Dundas station," is the only "human" voice I hear. All is gray and black, rarely someone wears red or white or any other bright colour. My eyes are hungry for colour, my ears long for animated conversation, laughter, music and most of all my body longs for sunshine.
In the middle of December, the first snow fell and soon Toronto drowned in deep freeze. Shoveling one's section of the sidewalk is exhilarating the first time, especially when the snow is still fresh, but a day later doing the same thing on ice and with the prospect of more on a weekly if not daily basis does not thrill.
I am here to see my son and his family but after a month, I needed to do something more.
Having
retired a year ago, I am free to do what I like as long as it
falls within the bounds of my monthly pension income. I have a sailboat
stored for the winter in a boat yard in the Ionian, Greece, and
plan to sail as usual during the summer but what could I do
in winter?
I long to explore my favourite country - Greece so late in December, I decide to head back after the Christmas holidays.
I search for cheap plane tickets and find a good price for the middle of January. WestJet will get me to London, Gatwick one way for less than $300 and then EasyJet to Athens for about $80 more. Escape is within my reach.
I long to explore my favourite country - Greece so late in December, I decide to head back after the Christmas holidays.
I search for cheap plane tickets and find a good price for the middle of January. WestJet will get me to London, Gatwick one way for less than $300 and then EasyJet to Athens for about $80 more. Escape is within my reach.
But until it is time to pack my bag, I make up my mind to stop whining and enjoy the time I have left here, so go for long walks in town in all kinds of weather...
Try to find inspiration by taking memorable photos.
 |
| Join my family at the local indoor pool... |
Play 'Evolution' and 'Ticket to Ride' with my son and grandson about a hundred times...
Dodge speeding sleds in the park...
Make tiramisu, bake spanakopita and meet with friends...
Over all, I am making myself useful and so far have survived two months in a city that I had previously thought I had escaped permanently after graduating from school. Sorry Toronto and those of you who love the city - too much concrete for my liking and I miss watching the sun rise.
