The Best Things In Life Are Free...
Prior to moving to Kefalonia, I was well settled in the UK and self sufficient. I had a good job and a good salary - offering more than 5 times the average salary here in the islands of Greece as a worker for the tourist season. However, I was unhappy with the busy lifestyle and the whole 'rat race' situation that I found myself caught up in. I felt like a hamster on a wheel.
My days here in Kefalonia are simply, well, different. Today has been a pretty unremarkable, but here I am at 8.30pm sitting at the table (trapezi) in Spiti Mou feeling as contented as they come. Dinner was a low key informal affair, and I am reflecting on the day I have had. It went a bit like this. I woke up at around 8am, with no Monday morning feeling! I did not have to look at my clock to tell the time, as the village church chimes blow through the breeze and let me know it is time to start my day. Throwing back the shutters on the bedroom window with gusto, I take in a view of the sea and felt the warm winter sun on my face, not to mention waking up next to the most gorgeous man in Greece!
After a small but tasty breakfast of muesli and fresh milk, I put on my trainers and followed the beach road for 6km, taking in the breathtaking views. On my right, I follow the vista of the sea, my vision extends as far as the mainland over to the Peleponese. I spot several of the Ionian islands at close proximity, dotted in the deep turquoise water between here and the mainland. I make out Ithaca, with its long flat shape, like a dinosaur asleep in the sea, to the left of this is Atokos, a small uninhabited island, unless you count the goats, owned by Greek shipping magnate. Lefkada peeps gently over the shoulder of Ithaca along with many other rugged looking coastlines rising from the water just waiting to be explored.
On my left, I have rocky outcrops and mountains, with lizards skittering out into the road and darting back just as quickly when they hear my footsteps, goat bells can be heard clanging as they graze on the low hanging branches of the trees growing in the hillside. Some of the greedy ones are standing on the back of the other goats (katzika), hungrily gnawing at the leaves higher up on the tree. It is not uncommon to see cattle and pigs wondering across the road, losing their way after coming down from the safe haven in the hills.
I have upped my walk(volta) and run(treximo) regime to 12km. 6km one way and then turn around and come back, all in preparation for my 10k race next month here on the island. Previously I stopped at 4km indicated by the hotel in which I will be working in this summer (kalokeri), a beautiful 5 star resort built dramatically into the high cliffs just outside of Skala. Pushing my limits by another 4km may not sound a big deal, but I am so achy after returning. However, the scenery past the 4km mark is my tonic and keeps me driving forward. It is amazing what you miss out on when driving in the car (aftokinito). After the hotel, it becomes increasingly desolate, with few scattered villas and more rocky crops of land with the sprawling Kefalonia flora and fauna flourishing. Overhead birds of prey cry, circle and swoop, looking out for their next tasty morsel unlucky enough to come out of their hiding place at the wrong time. Then, I round the corner at the 4.5km mark and I am in awe at the mountains stretching in front of me. The view of the islands seem clearer from here and running along this point with the wind blowing in my hair, I feel I am one of the birds of prey above, soaring along in the blueness of blue, and I feel happy.
If I was looking for the simple life and seeking pleasures in simple things, I have certainly found it here in Kefalonia.
My days here in Kefalonia are simply, well, different. Today has been a pretty unremarkable, but here I am at 8.30pm sitting at the table (trapezi) in Spiti Mou feeling as contented as they come. Dinner was a low key informal affair, and I am reflecting on the day I have had. It went a bit like this. I woke up at around 8am, with no Monday morning feeling! I did not have to look at my clock to tell the time, as the village church chimes blow through the breeze and let me know it is time to start my day. Throwing back the shutters on the bedroom window with gusto, I take in a view of the sea and felt the warm winter sun on my face, not to mention waking up next to the most gorgeous man in Greece!
After a small but tasty breakfast of muesli and fresh milk, I put on my trainers and followed the beach road for 6km, taking in the breathtaking views. On my right, I follow the vista of the sea, my vision extends as far as the mainland over to the Peleponese. I spot several of the Ionian islands at close proximity, dotted in the deep turquoise water between here and the mainland. I make out Ithaca, with its long flat shape, like a dinosaur asleep in the sea, to the left of this is Atokos, a small uninhabited island, unless you count the goats, owned by Greek shipping magnate. Lefkada peeps gently over the shoulder of Ithaca along with many other rugged looking coastlines rising from the water just waiting to be explored.
On my left, I have rocky outcrops and mountains, with lizards skittering out into the road and darting back just as quickly when they hear my footsteps, goat bells can be heard clanging as they graze on the low hanging branches of the trees growing in the hillside. Some of the greedy ones are standing on the back of the other goats (katzika), hungrily gnawing at the leaves higher up on the tree. It is not uncommon to see cattle and pigs wondering across the road, losing their way after coming down from the safe haven in the hills.
I have upped my walk(volta) and run(treximo) regime to 12km. 6km one way and then turn around and come back, all in preparation for my 10k race next month here on the island. Previously I stopped at 4km indicated by the hotel in which I will be working in this summer (kalokeri), a beautiful 5 star resort built dramatically into the high cliffs just outside of Skala. Pushing my limits by another 4km may not sound a big deal, but I am so achy after returning. However, the scenery past the 4km mark is my tonic and keeps me driving forward. It is amazing what you miss out on when driving in the car (aftokinito). After the hotel, it becomes increasingly desolate, with few scattered villas and more rocky crops of land with the sprawling Kefalonia flora and fauna flourishing. Overhead birds of prey cry, circle and swoop, looking out for their next tasty morsel unlucky enough to come out of their hiding place at the wrong time. Then, I round the corner at the 4.5km mark and I am in awe at the mountains stretching in front of me. The view of the islands seem clearer from here and running along this point with the wind blowing in my hair, I feel I am one of the birds of prey above, soaring along in the blueness of blue, and I feel happy.
If I was looking for the simple life and seeking pleasures in simple things, I have certainly found it here in Kefalonia.
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