One week after we launched Pegasus this year, we were
exploring the beautiful Chora of Patmos looking for a place to draw. The
options were endless in this UNESCO world heritage site with the monastery
perched on top of the rocky outcrop and the beautifully preserved old houses
and small churches tumbling down around it.
We walked through a passageway,
down a narrow alley and came out into a tiny square with an exquisite small
church. Two men were sitting in the shade of the Church. I smiled at them and
wished them a good day in Greek and told them that they looked very peaceful
sitting there. The older of the two responded enthusiastically and invited us
to sit with them.
In all our years in Greece, we have experienced this
love of strangers many times, but Jon was the first who gave it a name. It is
very similar to the Zulu / Xhosa word “Ubuntu” – a person is a person through other
people. Perhaps having grown up in South Africa and knowing Ubuntu, we are
particularly open to “philoxenia” and the highlights in all of our sailing
adventures are these moments when we experience this Greek generosity of
spirit.
By the time we met Jon, we had already spent 2 days with our Rhodes architect friend, Anastasia Papaioannou, discovering the history and architectural gems of Symi; our old friend Mercurious of the Raki and Rembitiki music had driven us to his farm in the mountains and to the oldest and most out of the way monasteries in Symi and our French sailing friend Jeff had taken us on a tour of his most interesting sites in Leros.
But more of these 'philoxenia" stories to come.......
But more of these 'philoxenia" stories to come.......
Hi folks I'm delighted to read your blog and to see you all back in one of the most beautiful places on earth. So looking forward to the rest of the journey. Keep me coming
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