A Day in Santorini

By

Jeannie Piazza

 

He was handsome, truly handsome, but aren’t all Greek Gods just that?

It was in that moment of time when all ese ceases to exist except for the two people, whose energy connects in a dimension only known to those who experience that out-of-body existence. Not every human is able to absorb this phenomenon.  However, for those who are able, time stops in the present and exists only in an illusionary or spiritual dimension.  This occurred as I entered a very cluttered shop with items for travelers to take home to remember Santorini.

I asked the man behind the counter if there was a small tote bag with a scene of Santorini on it instead of the one with a donkey. He said, “No, only that with the donkey.”

“Thank you, but I will think about it as I walk,” I said.

“I will be here waiting for you to return,” he confidently replied.

His remark seemed presumptuous to me as I left the shop to think. 

All I could think of was the strength of his face behind the full black beard, the full head of curls falling to his temples, as I made my way out of the store and into the crowded street.  The street led to the Cathedral. Along the street there were stores on both sides with same items of various prices. I walked through the deeply crowed street dodging people rushing back to catch the shuttle to their docked ship.

            Lots of gold jewelry shown brilliantly in the brightly lit showcases. I had just purchased a set of earrings and ring made of d’or de grasso or gold grass.

The more sun shines on it, the greater the dazzle of gold.

            I followed the stone walkway as it headed to an uneven path, trying to keep in mind the streets I had taken on this circuitous path. I had to find my way back to the electric cable car to my ship. I kept my eye on the direction of curves to follow back but I also tried to keep my mind off the Greek God and keep it all in prospective. As I walked, his presence remained as a ticking clock.

            “Could he be thinking of me as well? Was it just a moment in my mind or his as well? It happened to me another time at the Pitti Palace in Florence. However, I was not alone. Was it a coincidence that we might both be feeling the energy or was I alone in conjuring up these feelings?”

            At first, I thought today would be a lonely day because I could not go on the excursion with the group. But, as soon as I changed the semantics from alone to Free to be myself and this is my day for exciting adventures.

            I felt my life as free again and the freedom to continue safely on my adventure. I did just that and walked along the cobble stone street up to the Cathedral. I turned to observe and make note of the space I had just left and to which I must return and possibly back to my imaginary gorgeous Greek lover.

            Well, he really was neither “my” anything, nor a “lover.”

            I walked to the end of the stoney street where the church was and on the opposite side was the entrance to a quaint little Hotel. I sat on a large stone container of beautifully arranged flowers and breathed in the essence of the soul of Santorini. I was moved and overwhelmed by the thought of the challenge to build a church and hotel on the rock at the top of the hill. I could hear the music playing love songs in the hotel and I fell in love just being there and alone.

            In the dreaminess of the moment, I thought I saw through the crowds, the face…and now, the body of that amazing Greek in the store. He could not be coming after me, although he was coming in my direction. There was no one else around me. I was alone in the area. The hotel entrance rose several steps into the lobby. I sat watching life moving and wondering in what direction the journey would take me. Life, I believe, often takes us on a journey we could never imagine.

            As I was absorbed into the activities of the moving crowds, the exquisite, handsome Greek from the shop stood before me. He made and offer I was unable to resist.

            “Yes I’d love to,” I said.