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MAY 2nd,
Sunday
In Vathy there is some controversy over the Denis Sikiotis article published
in the Poetry and Writing section of this web site, the right or wrong
of it being published and whether publishing it may well be anti-Ithacan.
This article has already been published elsewhere by other Publications
and I as the web mistress do not vet what can or can not be said unless
it is racist, pornographic or generally offensive. Everyone is entitled
to their opinion whether I agree with it or not, therefore if anyone
wishes to respond with a contradicting argument to this particular,
or any other article that maybe published in the future, I extend an
invitation to do so. These pages are open to all. Rumour has it that
this controversy was started by someone wanting to deter Ithacans from
advertising on hOME Ithaca Greece so as to gain sponsorship for their
own web site. Apparently this web site isn't professional. Why, because
most of the pages are free and no one pays through the nose to be seen
on the internet? Well, what can I say. This site was started out of
love of the island, to give people a special insight into the way of
life here and to keep the ex-pats in touch with their Ithaki. If that's
unprofessional, stick a DUNCE hat on my head and call me whatever you
like. My opinion is that the more sites there are about Ithaca the better.
Guess not everyone agrees. Thanks to all who support this site and even
to those who want to bury it.
MAY
14th
Friday
Power
was out all over Ithaca from the early hours of the morning until midday.
A main pole fell. As if it's not bad enough that the strong winds are
making everyone crazy, no electricity is the icing on the cake. Times
like these it's a good idea just to sleep as long as you can, but no
hope of that either as Mr. Whipper Snipper men with motors as loud as
airplanes cut the brush from Kioni to Vathy evicting snakes, spiders
and bugs of all sorts from their cosey homes and the tired out of their
cosey beds.
On
the 21st of May the President / Minister for Democracy, Mr. Constantinos
Stefanopoulos is coming to Ithaca by helicopter. In remembrance of
the Unification of Greece, when the seven islands joined the mainland
in one Patrida, the Minister has visited one of these islands each year.
This year it's Ithakis turn. We wish him a good stay at the Hotel Peratzada
in Vathy and maybe he'll mention the state of the roads he travels around
the island and prod someone in a high place to fix them. It's all very
well beautifying the island with stone paving and look-out seats over
picturesque beaches, but with the bus tours beginning and more people
coming to the island each day, Ithaca's concern for road safety should
be primary. They are Halia! (Really bad).
May
Friday 28th
Ithaca Greece Web sitenow includes over 50 new
villas, houses, apartments, hotels, bungalows and rooms in the Accommodation
section of the site. The Accommodation Co-operative of Ithaca has joined
our other sponsors to give visitors of hOME Ithaca Greece web site a
greater and more varied choice of holiday accommodation in Vathy, Kioni,
Frikes, Lahos, Stavros and Lefki. There are standards and prices to
suit everyone.
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June
Tuesday 1st
ithaca
Greece web site, home ithaca greece, got a mention in the New York Post
Online in the 'Isle Take It' article written by Douglas Rogers, June
1st 2004. Maybe it will do something for the small island we all love so much.
It mentioned that for private villa and guest house accommodation Click Here
June
Wednesday 9th
Today
it really felt like Summer. Ithakis first hot day. Finally the heat
has arrived and the sea was again still and clear as an aqua pool. The
weather man says it's heating up for the weekend, so I guess it's time
to put the winter woollies away and get out those bathing suits.
News
on the grapevine is that it will be Lakis Vasilopoulos' last summer
down at Poli setting up his chairs and umbrellas. It was hoped that
he was going to make a move to Ithaca this year, but it seems his plans
have changed. He arrived in Greece today and should be on the island
within the next day or two. If we can't talk him 'round into staying
we may at least find out why he changed his mind.
This
weekend are the European Union Elections. Back to the voting booths
for everyone as Greece votes for it's representative in the EU. Every
TV station had all the Parties presenting their speeches restricted
by a time keeper. 2 minutes on the clock. It was concise and to the
point and if it wasn't, bad luck, time was up. Just when you think 'finally,
a one hour program doesn't get stretched to five' because the speeches
are over and everyone is on their way home, the news programs regurgitate
every breath and coma to make it another drawn out political pizza commentation
with the lot, replaying over and over, comments and statements made
by the Party leaders., speculating what may have been said given there
was more time.
Surprise!
Surprise! Almost everyone capable of being pregnant is pregnant on Ithaca.
The next generation of Ithacans dancing at Bemenis will be the 2004
Baby Boomers. I blame it on all the power strikes over Winter. What
else are you going to do?
Alexander
Kamakamis is due to arrive on Ithaca soon. The last time he was here,
he was just a boy. Now he's a lawyer and drink-mixing champion. Maybe
he'll break the rules and give his Martini a good shake and not just
a conservative stir when he's here. He'll be visiting family on his
mothers side (Anna Vlass) and staying in Lahos.
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