Leaving Astypalaia

I took this picture late in the day through one of the crumbling windows of the Venetian castle that is perched in the highest place in the Chora. At the bottom of the hill you can see the little village of Livadi. Many of the fruits and vegetables grown on the island come from the gardens there. I also go to the beach at Livadi to swim.



We had to say goodbye to all of our friends and acquired habits when we left the island, it was a sad occasion. Folks were very generous with us and insisted on giving us going away gifts. We have made some local friends, and they are always sad to see us go, and we will miss them too. Some of our belongings have been packed away and stored on the island so that we can have them ready when we return. Leaving something behind is like a promise to return and retrieve the items.



Local folks are so used to seeing us in town that they speak to us in rapid fire Greek, assuming all along that we understand what they have said. One of the local super market owners even had me trying to sort out her cash register issues, she just kept asking me questions in Greek until I finally figured out her problem.



We will no longer have marathon shopping excursions to buy daily provisions. We could easily spend an hour sitting and chatting with the local shop owners and fellow customers while we gathered our groceries. Sometimes I would get so hungry shopping that I didn't think I would make it home to cook dinner.



So we leave Astypalaia behind.



The pace of daily life will speed up now.