Just

Just
off the Turkish coast, this historic island was the
birthplace of Greek goddess Hera and of mathematician and
fourth-century philosopher, Pythagoras. Yet while Samos is among
the more popular of the northeastern Aegean Islands, few travellers
stray beyond its lively capital of Vathy.

If they did, they’d find a place of off-the-beaten-track
beaches, quaint churches and basking cats. Though life in Samos is
simple, luxury lies in its shoreline curves, its pastel-hued
afternoons, its fresh produce, rich cuisine and, most importantly,
in the warmth and hospitality of its people. Evenings here are
unhurried, and best spent sipping the sweet local wine – it gets
better with each glass.

As you wander up across mountains, down the narrow roads and
into the smaller villages of Samos, facets of the 21st century
disappears. Around every corner, I would stumble upon an alleyway
bursting with flowers or glimpse the turquoise ocean on the
horizon. My camera was at hand, my eyes were open and my heart was
full.

The smell of squashed figs fills the air, along with the sounds
of elderly women gossiping in the streets. There are no words of
English spoken here. From the pronounced Mediterranean mannerisms,
I could tell that there was some juicy drama unfolding in the
neighbourhood.

Noticing a woman’s faint silhouette behind a bead curtain, I
stopped. She acknowledged my camera, pulled back the beads and
graciously invited me in. Neither of us could speak the other’s
language, but we met halfway speaking in broken words and blowing
each other kisses of gratitude.

Built on trust and honesty, the houses of Samos are open – a
glass of water is always left outside for strangers or for the many
stray cats who may pass by. That is the inimitable beauty of this
place.

@patricia_sofra | patriciasofra.com