21st September '08

We had a celebration last night and 9 of us went to Tzouma’s for a meal at 8.30. I’d stopped in a day or so before and spoken to Dimitri about the menu. This means I said what we would like and he said he’d cook it. Tzouma’s, for those unfamiliar with it, is a kafenion which does excellent, reasonably-priced food between spring and autumn. We had calamari, beetroot with garlic sauce, chicken in tomato sauce, Greek salad, chips, tuna salad… I think that’s the lot. It all came out roughly at the same time after we’d had a couple of drinks.

We were sitting outside on the avli (patio, stoop, concrete apron) under the bamboo awning, three tables pushed together. Just as we finished eating it started to rain – not much at first. Although rain had been forecast and there had been a few drops earlier we didn’t really believe it would rain much if any this early in the year, October being the usual month. We discovered a large gap in the bamboo awning. More to the  point Liz discovered she was sitting under this gap. We decided to decline Nico’s offer to move inside. Inside’s not too bad but lacks a little in atmosphere and décor. We pushed the tables further up the avli to avoid the gap and carried on. The rain increased as did the water now running down the walls against which some of us were sitting. Bamboo, it must be said, is not very rainproof.

We accepted the inevitable and moved inside. By now it was around 10.30pm and it had become a real storm with spectacular lightning in the distance. The lights of Panteli went out. As usual, we all cheered. Normally when this happens it’s a great time to see the stars. Unfortunately the rain was coming down in torrents now and the sky was invisible. A yacht pulled in and we watched in horrid fascination as it bobbed,  bows down, then up. Liz had to look away as she felt seasick. Nico came around lighting the oil lamps. A couple of men from Finland came in drenched and decided we had to learn a Finnish song. It was about, strangely enough, Finnish camels and came in three parts. Let's see if I can remember all three. The first part went boom-diddi-boom-diddiboom, boom-boom-boom. Once we had that right, we had to learn the next part which went, if memory serves, similarly. The third part, once we were word-perfect, was the camel-drivers leaving... with cries of "tsssh, poh, tsssh, poh" receding into the distance. You might ask what this was all about. I really couldn't comment.

 

We reciprocated with such glorious songs as “Something Stupid”, “Yellow Submarine”, and various others. Liz sang and danced on the concrete bench to "Singin' in the Rain" pretty much in tune aided and abetted by the rest of us.

I decided to go to the loo which is located outside. I asked one of the Finnish gentlemen if I could borrow his bright-red slicker. He looked at me as if I was the devil incarnate - to whit - a thief - and said "in 5 minutes". Not knowing the Finnish for "don't be bloody stupid" I waved my arms and said "don't worry, it doesn't matter" and returned in a couple of minutes, drenched.

The lights came on but Nico prudently left the lamps on.

Jim had his camera and was happily snapping away. Thanks to him for the pics! I'd welcome comments about their presentation, the mouse-over effects in particular. Y'all have my email address I believe? If not, joleros@yahoo.com will get to me although not my favourite address. Come on Mark from Holland, let's hear from you!

The lights went out again. By this time there was a pungent whiff from outside. Whenever it rains heavily and the ground is seriously hard after a long dry summer the drains can’t cope and overflow. We’re not just talking about dirty water.

The lights came on again and this time stayed on.

The rain eased off and finally stopped. It was midnight by now and a few people were a little worried about getting home as there would be mud and worse on the road. Inevitably the Savana Bar got mentioned and a few of us hardy souls picked our way around the huge puddles and stones along the harbour to refresh ourselves with a(nother) drink. Richard decided to go home as did Tom, Maurice, Anne and SueP. Jim, Sue, Liz and I went to Savana where we found quite a gathering inside, a number playing Tavli (backgammon) obviously sitting out the storm in the best way.

A thoroughly good evening was, I think, had by all.