Tuesday – May 24

Truly – a day off!  First one since I’ve arrived. So lovely – very little guilt.  Puttered this morning with house keeping chores – did my wash which means soaking it overnight in soapy water, scrubbing any noxious bits, rinsing it in the morning, and pegging it out.  Due to dry climate and stiff breezes, the wash dries quickly.  Not quite up with my African sisters but at least I’m doing it by hand and hanging it out!

After breakfast, a mixed bag of women – two Aussies, one Icelander, and two Americans headed out for a bit of a drive.  Once we get away from the city going east, the paved road, which is no great treat, runs out and we hit dirt and gravel and narrow.  But the scenery is breathtaking and I wasn’t driving!  All good.  We really didn’t go too far – just to a created landfill for all the life jackets and cut up dinghies from the shoreline.  It is a sea of orange and black with the occasional child’s swimming pool vest. It is massive.  A few men were there picking through it as some of the material is being sent to other countries for recycling and repurposing. The place has a somber feel.  True, this is a place of realized hope in that people made it to Greece, their destination.  Each vest has a story.  However, some did not make it and their bodies are buried on the island and their jackets are in the pile.  It is a memorial to those who made it and those who didn’t. One could spend quite some time here in reflection and prayer.  I hope to return.

The rest of the day was relaxing but with the morning undergirding it.  That led to gratitude for the beauty of the sea and the chance to enjoy lunch with new friends.  After returning, I went down to Molivos for lunch. I headed to the shoreline for a restaurant by the sea.  Walking in, I saw Tim and Kath, a charming couple from Devon England.  They invited me to join them so I did.  It was an unexpected treat.  They are lovely and have been coming here for decades. Everyone in town knows them.  After finishing a couple of pieces of pizza – yes, pizza! I wandered on for a bit of shopping and supplies.  Tomorrow we leave at 6:30 am and head to Skala, the stage two camp, for 24 hours so a few things are needed.

Back to the hotel for some quiet time and then my two Aussie friends asked if I wanted to go and check out the hot spring.  This island is a volcano so this is a hot spot.  It is very close to the hotel but it was closed when we got there.  We went down to the rocks alongside and nearly scalded our feet in the runoff!  Finding perfect pools a little further out, we soaked our feet and chatted for awhile.  I love the conversations here.  After the initial basic who are you info, we share stories about this place.  Our hearts are on the same track so it comes easily.  Then back to the hotel and supper with Rachel.  Most folks are out tonight so no big dinner.

Now I sit on my patio in the greying  evening, with sheep bells and the occasional baaaa and write to you all. I can still see the sea and Turkey.

It has been a good day.  I am very grateful. Good night to you all.