Author: Conversations with Strangers

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An Aquamarine Dream

On By Conversations with StrangersIn Entertainment, Music, The Cuban BrothersLeave a comment

P1060102“I think they were the best I’ve ever seen them tonight” E shouted as we dashed through a force ten gale following The Cuban Brothers’ gig at The Shuck, Whitstable.

Soaked through we arrived at the car.  I shook raindrops from my hair and shut the door quickly.  “I may have to agree, and Lord knows I’ve seen them enough times: I can only put it down to the new aquamarine suit and the hometown combo.” I replied.

Ah, aquamarine, my favourite colour and when worn by one of the inimitable Cubans – local to this part of the woods – a tough act to follow.

We’d arrived at 8pm, out of town hours, earlier than usual.  “Everything’s usually winding down by 11pm here” said my Whitstablian friend E.  “I reckon they’ll be on at 8.30pm.” “9” I wagered.

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Grecian Tales Part V: The Hat

On By Conversations with StrangersIn Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

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There was a time before the hat.  A time of innocence, of knowing that one was right about pretty much everything, that one had seen it all, that one could not be challenged in any way shape or form about one’s life. But, when it appeared, freedom and thinking how you liked became a different story.

She appeared through a chink in the curtains at my window.  Brim tilted down today – it was hot and the sun super bright – I called out for her to enter.  “Ah, the hat has returned I see” I noted as she walked in.
“Yes – a, I’m so glad I found it!”

“What?  It was lost?”

“Well, I couldn’t locate it for a whole day, then I spotted it at the bottom of my bag.  Thank heavens!  I can’t be without it for too long – and just in time, we’ve got the sun again.”

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Grecian Tales Part IV: Naked Beach

On By Conversations with StrangersIn Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

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We sat on the shoreline searching for the perfect pebble.  “You should see the red ones when the sun comes out” said HM, “They’re so beautiful and bright – when they dry they go a lovely shade of brown.”

I replied that I was sure they were but my mission was to find the best aquamarine one, the one that looked illuminated from within and even out of water was magnetic to behold.

HM handed me a couple – small and cute.  “They’d be perfect on that new necklace you bought in Skyros town” she said.  “Just put a little clasp on the top and hang them from the chain.”

I placed my booty on the paddle board alongside a growing collection.

For a while we foraged in silence.  Absorbed by the colours, shallow water gliding over stones, occasionally diving for one we spotted that looked like the holy grail.

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Grecian Tales Part III: Brittany

On By Conversations with StrangersIn Travel/vacations2 Comments

P1050740 I love New Yorkers.  I love everything about them from their directness, sense of humour, sass and indignation to the street smarts, non-stop talking and occasional neurosis. They remind me of me.

A trip to Skyros beach followed by a walk into town and some light shopping ended up at an appointed meeting place inside a fastish food type cafe on the main drag.

Brittany appeared.  All flowing blue silk dress, boho gold jewellery, tan to perfection, blonde locks glistening. “Oh right, like this is where I ate last week” she imtimated to me, head to one side. “And I swore I wouldn’t do it again – it’s just like kebabs and stuff, and I’m not sure about the feel of this place either.”

It seemed a shame, the Greeks’ sensibility for beauty is inherent in everything they do.  And even in this mountain-top remote island town the sophistication and allure of the decor was out of this world.  Dusty pink chairs sat alongside green tables under sail like awnings, signposts in Aegean blue for even the most humble hardware store; plump mauve cushions on white bar stools under a starlit sky.

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