good.’
‘Yes okay, see you back here in an hour then.’
‘Endaxi,’ replied Polychroni with a smile.
‘Endaxi,’ laughed Alexander, before walking off with a wave.
Returning to his room, he took a quick but invigorating shower, changed and headed off in the other direction in order to do a loop around the part of town he hadn’t yet explored, seeing how people went about their afternoon chores, watering their plants, bringing in the washing and just sitting and resting. Then he wound up back at the port a few minutes ahead of the planned meeting time with Polychroni. The remaining fishing boats were coming in with their catch. A few townsfolk were heading down to meet them. Alexander decided just to sit with his legs dangling over the side of the promenade searching for fish as he waited.
There were fish literally everywhere. Alexander had never seen anything like it. He thought for a moment that the fishermen didn’t need to go out in their boats at all. They simply needed to throw a line in from the side of the wharf. No, he thought, they must be hoping to net them in larger numbers.
Just then Polychroni approached. ‘Hello my friend, yassu.’
‘Yassu Polychroni.’
He sat down with Alexander and asked, ‘What would you like to eat?’
‘I’m happy with anything you choose.’
‘Well, do you like fish?’
‘I had some octopus before and it was great.’
‘My sister and her husband have the best seafood restaurant on the island, so how about we go there?’
‘Fine with me. Tell me Polychroni, what is your job here on the island?’
‘I am a teacher.’
‘What do you teach?’
‘Art and history at the local high school.’
‘Which do you prefer?’
‘I have no preference. I have a love for them both.’
‘I was never any good at history, but I love art. I carry a sketch-pad with me everywhere I go.’
‘I’d like to see some of your work. What do you like to sketch?’
‘People and animals mainly, but now that I’m travelling, I’d like to draw other things as well.’
‘Come on,’ Polychroni started as he got to his feet, ‘let’s go and eat.’
Alexander hopped up and together they headed off to the restaurant. It was nearing the end of the day and the sun was about to set next to or behind the island of Syros. It remained to be seen where the sun would sink.
They arrived at the restaurant and Polychroni introduced his sister to Alexander.
‘Maria, this is Alexander.’
‘Yassu Alexander. Pleased to meet you.’ She showed them to a seat with a view of the harbour, and brought a menu. Polychroni immediately ordered a bottle of Retsina.
It was a scrumptious dinner they ordered with Polychroni suggesting every plate. They had calamari, tzatziki, a Greek salad, saganaki and moussaka, all shared in true Greek fashion.
Over dinner Polychroni asked Alexander what his favourite pastimes were.
‘Reading and riding my bicycle,’ was his reply.
‘What you like to read?’ Polychroni inquired.
‘Today on the mountain I finished reading Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha.’
‘That’s impressive. What’s next?’
‘I intended to look for a bookshop tomorrow.’
‘Perhaps you will allow me to loan you a book.’
‘Yes all right,’ replied Alexander thankfully.
Alexander’s first Greek sunset was about to happen, setting into the Mediterranean just to the north of Syros. The entire sky had turned orange.
Alexander learned that Polychroni’s wife was away in Athens visiting her sick mother, but when she was here on the island she ran the local newspaper The Tinos Pharos. Both of them were educated people and as Alexander ate the delicious foods and drank the unusual Retsina, he learned that these two were a lot more than just an educated couple. Polychroni had taught at prestigious institutions both in Greece and abroad and his wife was a published author. Alexander looked forward to meeting her. He asked when she might return to the island.
‘Within a few days, I expect,’ replied Polychroni. ‘Her mother is improving every day.’
‘That’s good to hear,’ Alexander stated sympathetically.
‘Tell me,’ started Polychroni, ‘what’s the real reason that you’re travelling? Surely at your age you should be doing national service.’
‘That’s true. I’m escaping my responsibilities.’
‘You do realise, I suppose, that you’ll have to stay away from your country for quite some years. Your government won’t want you back without some form of punishment.’
‘Yes I do realise this fact.’
‘So what are you going to do?’
‘Travel and keep travelling, I suppose.’
‘Do you think that’s wise?’
‘It’s worrying not being able to go back and see my family and friends, but we can meet for holidays in countries near and far from Holland, and that’s exactly what we’ll be doing I presume.’
‘It’s not ideal though, is it? Do you have another choice?’
‘Not really,’ answered Alexander sadly. ‘I’m a pacifist, and the alternative service option is no real option at all. I don’t want to spend eighteen months of my life doing something I sincerely don’t want to do.’
‘But aren’t your options things like helping the ambulance service or assisting at a primary or preschool?’
‘Yes but I don’t even want to do that.’
‘Good luck then, my friend. You’re going to need it.’
The twilight sky was now turning to deep purple. The Retsina was taking effect. Alexander felt quite drowsy. ‘I’m going to have to call it a night. I haven’t slept properly for three days.
‘I completely understand,’ replied Polychroni.
‘I’ll call for the bill,’ said Alexander.
‘You most certainly will not. I will pay. My sister owns the restaurant. I get a good deal.’
‘Well thank you very much. It’s been a superb meal and it’s been great getting to know you.’
‘Let’s continue this talk tomorrow. Would you like to?’
‘Yes actually I would,’ stated Alexander emphatically.
‘And I’ll bring a book or two, something I think you’d like to read.’
‘I’d appreciate that, thanks.’
‘And you can show me your drawings.’
‘No problem.’
‘Kalinikta Alexander.’ Kalinikta is Good night.’
‘Kalinikta Polychroni.’
They shook hands and parted company.
Alexander walked home slowly. The first stars of night were now visible. Just a soft glow remained in the western sky. The sounds of a Greek village gently bombarded his ears: dogs barking in the distance, conversations in Greek here and there, the