My trip to Greece this year included a visit to the island of Syros and Tinos. In Tinos, I met up with a friend and we made our way around the island stopping in several towns, and of course beaches. Tinos is a very beautiful island in the Cyclades. I rather enjoyed our visit in mid September. Most Greeks that spent their summers there had gone back to the mainland to get back to work and send the kids off to school. Meanwhile we were just getting started on our vacation. Luckily for us there are plenty of folks that live on the island, so it was not a desolate island.
This is the story of a visit to one of the more memorable towns we visited during our week on Tinos. I call it, "A walk down Memory Lane." At least that’s what my experience was of Kardiani, this small town on the island of Tinos. It’s a quaint town just a small drive away from the sea. And ohhh the Sea! Imagine brush strokes of golden sun painting the crystal blue waters below and shining a burst of fire throughout the little town tucked away in the mountain above.
Kardiani, is truly a small town built into the land it sits on. We ended up parking just above it in a small lot off a not so finished small road. So apparently there are two ways in, we chose the one off the beaten path as opposed to the more updated and easier path. But that’s how we roll! For sure we would have preferred the more welcoming path, but we were already knee deep in getting to our destination so we moved forward. The only downside to this lot, is that to get back to it, it’s a climb! And with the hot sun beating down on us, you can’t imagine how thrilled we were to find a tree with some shade where we could catch our breath before heading out for the next town.
Ah yes let'snot forget that walk down memory lane, in this unforgettable hidden gem. Luckily for us, visiting in September was a far better decision than the month before. At least that’s what we learned during our trip here. Upon making our way into the town from the parking lot, we stumbled upon a small cafe. My friend had read that there was a town square and thought we’d have more choices so we moved forward. On the way she stopped someone she thought to be a local to ask about this “square.” Here we were met with a small chuckle from this young man. “Just one cafe, you’ve passed it, no more.” We turned around and returned back to the small cafe we had passed. We took a seat under a shaded area just across from the shop where some tables had been set up. The moment we sat, we were welcomed by a local cat. Not one that wanders and begs for food, this cat was cared for, not begging for anything but a little love. My friend has a cat of her own, and so this little one I am sure could sense it. Here are a few photos of their cuddles.
The cafe offered a few items, all of them local and homemade. My friend had a pie that was so good, she bought another piece to have later when we were at the beach. As we sat there we learned how just one month before the town was filled with tourists, so much so that for the owner to get from her kitchen to the side we sat on, and literally the pathway that separated us was no more than 2 feet wide, okay maybe 3. With no crowd you could hop from one step on one side to one step on the other side very easily. I thanked my two stars that this was not the case that day, and we were maybe one of 2 or 3 sets of tourists. So plenty of room to take in all the beauty this town had to offer. Luckily for us we showed up a month later to a town where most locals had already packed up for the summer and headed off back to where they spend the other 9 months of the year. To be honest it was nice to enjoy my surroundings without a push and a shove. I was able to take photos without being in someone’s way or vice versa.
What caught my eye as we entered this town however, were a number of black and white photos posted in different spots throughout the village. I started to capture these photos and was very intrigued as to what they were all about. And of course, b&w photos on white washed walls create a little curiousity, but with a flair. Clearly from looking at the photos you could see that they were from this village. Each photo posted in a certain part of town was of that spot. We asked a local what they were about, and she told us that they were photos of a time long ago, taken by someone that had family and was from this town. They captured everyday life in this town, from school pictures, to family parties, to a night out on the towcuriousw itya day in the life of a local. There were stories to each picture, I didn’t know these stories, but all you had to do was imagine. Stop, take a moment to see and feel all the emotions in these photos. There was a sort of pride in these photos, pride for all the memories, for what this town had to share. Being part of a small town, doesn’t mean you have small memories; in fact I feel it’s just the opposite!
Everyone in this town was family, regardless of blood relations or not! And these photos posted throughout the town are merely a literal shared album for all of us to see and appreciate. Take a walk with me thru Kardiani… What’s your version of the story here?
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