It rained most of the day. In the morning, the rain was light and sporadic, with fantastic clouds.
My dives remained canceled, and canceled tomorrow as well, so I decided to see some of the island. No valid drivers license, but this is Greece. How likely are they to check?
Not very.
I drove to Laganas, about 20 minutes away. Both of the dive shops I have been talking with are there, so I stopped by and chatted in person. Filled out some forms, gave them my number, and they promised to message me as soon as they started diving again.
Then I walked the main road. I think I found where the tourists come.
Souvenir shops everywhere.
And ATMs (which are harder to find near my Airbnb).
And cruise organizers.
I went looking for lunch. Does it count as “specializing” when you do three, very varied things?
Sometimes you just want White Castle, right? No luck here.
Or maybe Pizza Hut or KFC? Sorry.
By now the real rain clouds stared to show up.
I ducked into a non-knockoff restaurant and sat out the storm.
Did some texting with a colleague living in Kenya who also dives and had an exchange that at least made me feel good:
HIM: what do you do for fun when it rains on a diving holiday in greece
ME: Today I rented a car and drove to another town. Chatted with the dive shops here. Went window shopping. And am sitting down to lunch right now. Not terrible.
HIM: that sounds delightfully mediterranean
HIM: i imagine youre eating a greek salad with some kalamata olives and some lightly grilled seafood with olive oil and oregano
HIM: tell me i’m wrong
He was wrong, I had a very land-based meat plate, but we live in a world where truth doesn’t matter so I’m going to say I was being 100% mediterranean!
When the rain let up, I walked the other side of the street, passing the clubs that had yet to open and which make Zakynthos known as a party island.
Then it was back to the apartment. I parked by the bus stop, a good five minute walk away. The roads near where I’m staying are tiny and have very little open parking spaces. I’m not that adventurous yet.
And I refuse to park like a local.
Spent the remainder of the evening inside while the rain came off and on. Looked up some things to do now that I have independence, though none of them are any good when it’s raining. I may stay inside all day tomorrow and do some work. Maybe for neighborhoodwitness.org. I’m quite behind on my todo list there.
Travel 