Down By the Sea

We left the quiet village of Makrinitsa for the seaside town of Peraia. located South of Thessaloniki. Peraia is home to hardy locals, and during this current heat wave it is apparent just how hardy they are. Merchants, Restaurant owners, Bar and Taverna owners stand outside their establishments, in the hot sun, beckoning people to come into their shops- serving the few customers that might wander in to take a break from swimming, or like us, have just arrived in town. At night, the street becomes packed with locals wandering to the shore from their homes in the inner village. They walk, talk, sit, and of course eat. Vendors set up booths at sun set; restaurants once sparsely inhabited are now filled with families, couples, friends, and the occasional loner. Eating, laughing, sitting quietly- all together in this Greek stew of people. Children swim in the calm waters. Musicians set up for the nights entertainment. Walking down this street it is a mix of young and old. Hip night clubs pump out the latest hits by Bieber, Swift and other top 40 favorites, while a few doors down traditional Greek music is being played by live bands. At the pier, workers and tourists prepare to board the ferry for the 30 minute ride back to the White Tower dock in Thessaloniki. Workers will make their way home. Tourists will go back to their temporary dwelling, awaiting their next adventure. Us? We sit on our 2nd floor balcony listening to Greek music, and sipping coffee. I wonder, is this home?