Modern Vespa

The winds to day are around 25 knots gusting 35+, and there are herds of tourists on scooters riding around the island, mixed in with herds of vacationers driving their cars around the island. Just followed a couple riding two up at about 20 MPH, barely handling the gusting cross winds. On days like this, even we tend to use the car, as along with the force of the winds, there all sorts of sand and dust blowing. Homer wrote about it thousands of years ago.

Watched the scooter mentioned above almost get blown over when a bus passed coming in the opposite direction. Shielded them briefly from the wind, and then they got hit with the full force of a gust.

And, of course, car drivers get impatient behind very slow scoots, leading them to pass, even when it's a double line.

WX is forcast to be like this for three or four more days. Sure hope no one gets hurt.

A&A

*GASP* I DID???

Excellent description!

While our economy is aided immeasurably by tourism, it does put a strain on the island during July and August. During the first weekend of August last year (Fri-Sun) over 450,000 people boarded ferries to the Cyclades, bringing nearly 50,000 cars with them! Our permanent population on Paros is about 12,000. Our August population will surpass 100,000.

Along with the cars and PTWs that arrive on the ferries, there are about 1,500 rental cars and some 1,500 rental scooters available on the island. About 50 public and private buses will operate. Several streets will be closed to vehicle traffic in Jul/Aug. The island is some 80 sq miles overall.

Fortunately, we live in a very small village, away from the crowds. We joking say that the only time someone stops in our village is when they are lost. Other than Jul/Aug, however, life all over the island is peaceful.

A&A

I prefer cold, rain, or whatever over wind on 2 wheels. I hate riding on very windy days!

how did the indigenous treat you when you arrived?

Do you guys just spend all day doing sit-ups over there in Greece?



You are stealing all the chicks. Eat some donuts for a change, and leave some for the rest of us.

We vacationed here for five years before moving. 5 or six weeks each time, in a studio apt in the village adjacent to where we now live. We had established a wide circle of local Greek friends, and thus were quite welcome into the village as well as the island. The Parians are extremely hospitable people.

We do not live in an "ex-pat" neighborhood, nor do we tend toward socializing with the "foreigner" community. We have several ex-pat friends, but the bulk of our social contact is with the local Greek people. We are communicants in the village Orthodox parish.

Neither of us is of Greek ancestry.

A&A

Having lived for a time in different touristy spots, I see where the "herd" description comes from. You get groups who seem to mingle together, and then will move on mass to follow the leader to another location where more standing occurs.

Just to be clear, I appreciated the good that tourists do, and endured the delays and congestion that also results (with occasional grumbling).

Living where I do now, the tourist/congestion issue really hasn't been an issue ...