I seem to be on a social kick lately.

In just a couple of short weeks I’ve gone from  a strictly ‘work/home in pjs couch potato’ to ‘Ms Out-Way-More-Than-Is-Good-For-Me’.

The downward slide began last Sunday when, on the way home from visiting my newly widowed aunt, I was hailed over by a couple of guys I’ve known for years who were sitting on their patio enjoying the weather with a glass or five of tsipouro. (Think greek homemade hooch similar to italian grappa.)

I spent a pleasant couple of hours with them, getting home too late to do any housework and too drunk to do much else.

Did I mention I’d walked to my aunt’s? Driving may have saved me from drinking, but the way my day was going (too much beautiful weather to work) I doubt I’d have gotten much done anyway.

Monday I had a haircut… perhaps not a social occasion for most people, but my hairdresser is also a grooming customer and we’ve become friends, so our tongues got as much of a workout as the scissors.

Tuesday after a grooming appointment (which doubles as a visit to a friend, and her owner – haha!) I caught up with ‘the girls’ for drinks at the bar where we usually meet. That is a pretty much standard ‘every Tuesday night off season’ thing, but a lot of the time when its cold and miserable out and I’m snuggled on the couch with my poodle, I don’t feel like going out, so for me its more like every 2 weeks.

Wednesday I was invited out for dinner with friends I dog-sat for on top of the mountain… incidentally, where I am again right now. For a few days only this time. At least thats the plan…

Thursday is, from this point, on quiz night at the Jolly Roger in Parikia. Went with a friend last week and we came in 2nd. Of four, but hey, we still came in second. And I actually helped by answering FIVE whole questions she didn’t know the answer to. I just LOVE quiz nights so I think this will be the one thing I brave the weather for weekly!

I’ve joined a writing group called Bell Book & Candle which meets once a month on a Sunday evening, where we write to a theme, read our efforts aloud then share dinner and drinks.

I’m still waiting for info on some pilates classes I want to join, and I’ve been invited to join a couple more things.

There is a theatre group which does plays in winter (before COVID and again this winter I hope). There are dance lessons for tango in Parikia I hear, a greek dance troupe and latin in Naousa. There are a couple of art groups.

I would love to do a ton of stuff but I must remember that I need to work on my art as well, and in order to do that, I need a few restful evenings a week.

Who said there is nothing to do on Paros in winter? People think its dead once the tourist season ends and the shops close, but that’s when the permanent residents begin to get a life.

Life is different when you live on an island, or any tourist place I guess. Everyone is too busy during the season to have time to do much of anything but work. Then in winter, when they have the time, there is a ton to do if you want to do it. However a lot of people either leave to go to their ‘real home’ or go away for a holiday. And holidays can be long when you work in tourism 6-7 months a year, then have the rest of the year off.

That makes it hard for some of the groups who need to have a steady number of people showing up.

Still, its one thing I love about living in a small place – the fact that I know a lot of people and that there is always something to do if I want to.

And I love the peace and quiet here in winter compared to the crazy hell of summer.

z