The morning has started off well. Waking up at 9.15, and in a better frame of mind I immediately got out of bed and went for a swim. The sky is cloudless, the weather so warm. The sea looks like a piece of glass, and also warm.
As I waded out, I found I was disturbing shoals of little fishes. So I stood still to observe them. The water was crystal clear, and I was able to make out every detail on them. As I continued to stand still they grew more daring, and came in closer until they were actually swimming between my legs. I felt like the Colossus of Rhodes! Some of them measured up to six inches long. If I had had a net I could have easily caught them – or could I? Came out, had a cup of tea. Then back to the beach at around ten thirty to get in some sunbathing.
We were able to lie on the beach until about two o’clock when the haze took away the sun’s warmth – we were hungry anyway. There was still enough daylight left to go for another look around Athens.
Not knowing where to go without spending a fortune we made for a cinema which showed English language films. That cost us 15 Dr.(3/9 – 30¢) which wasn’t too bad, but when we got in we found the seats were made of plywood. The film was American and terrible into the bargain so we were glad to leave that place.
Back in the street, Allan stopped to buy a bar of chocolate from one of the street kiosks. To our surprise, the owner began speaking English. Before long, we were into an interesting conversation. The high cost of everything soon came up. Just previous to this meeting, we had been into a grocery shop where we had been astounded at the high cost of everything. For example, 6/-(45¢) for ½lb. of Danish butter; same for a ¼lb Brooke Bond tea; 5/-(37¢) for a packet of tea biscuits. The Greeks do not produce many of the consumer goods which explains the prices. Our kiosk owner friend told us that the government imposes a tax on everything. Beer bought in a restaurant would be much cheaper than if bought in a bar. Another thing, prices in any capital city tend to be much higher than anywhere else, and after my six months in London, I can quite readily agree.
Average wages. None of them seem to come up to our level, and indeed, a lot of them are well below. So how the Greeks manage to exist in Athens is beyond my understanding.
Places of entertainment were another topic. Most people, said, our friend, just sit and drink coffee at the pavement cafés or go to the cinema or a theatre. That is understandable given the price of everything… “Where can we go for a bit of entertainment?” we asked. He needed no further encouragement. Shutting his kiosk, he led us to a small club just off the main street. It was a dimly lit place with a small “orchestra” playing rather uncertainly for dancing.
“This is as good as you can get for the price” said our host.
We ordered. A beer each and a cognac for our friend. Beers and cognac, 15 Dr. each, plus 4 Dr. tax plus 10% service charge. We didn’t mind for once as we were after all getting “music” with the drinks.
We sat there talking and comparing things when to our surprise, two girls came to our table and seated themselves next to us. Hostesses!
“What do you want?” I asked.
“To keep you company,” came the reply.
“We already have company,” Allan pointed out.
But they were not to be dissuaded, even when I told them I already had a girlfriend back home.
“Buy us a drink,” they demanded. At 50 Dr.(2/6 or 38¢) – no way!
The one who was sat by me began caressing my shoulders. Finally I asked her what was so nice about my pullover that she should stroke it so much. But nothing we said would make them leave, even to the extent of poking fun at them. Ignoring them, we carried on our conversation. Shortly afterwards, our Greek friend had to leave. We were not long in following. It had been a bit expensive but very amusing and that in itself was worth it. One point I would like to make. From the number of times that beer is mentioned in this narrative, anyone reading it would think we spend half our time either drinking it or looking for it. On the contrary. What they call beer is really a form of lager, weak to us. We only manage one or two a day which is hardly what one would call alcoholism.
Directly after leaving the club we came home and then to bed. Allan says he is going to spend the day on the beach tomorrow so I think I will drive to Marathon to see the famous battle site between the Athenians and the Persians.
Here endeth the umpteenth lesson – goodnight.