Synchronicity
Dear friend,
It’s very windy tonight. I’m glad for my jacket, sitting here on a wall looking into the inky blackness of the sea far below.
Tonight was our last sunset in Ikaria. We’re in a mountain village for a traditional dance — with local musicians and people from all over the island gathered to dance till dawn. I don’t know if we’ll make it to sunrise; we have our ferry back to Athens tomorrow afternoon.
The road here was steep and unpaved, and Chiara is doing all the driving. I can hear the wind, the cicadas, and the bubbling conversation of the crowds of people. Cars are winding their way up through the darkness.
There have been so many synchronicities here. Tonight we met a couple from Paris, Laura and Otto. Otto grew up knowing the son of a woman I dated years ago when I lived in Sheffield. We discovered the connection when he commented on my accent and asked if I was from Sheffield.
We’ve swapped numbers, and if the boy — now a young man — is interested, I may get to see him. I don’t have many regrets, but one of them was losing touch with him when his mother and I ended our brief relationship. It was a time when I didn’t know how to handle things like that.
The odds of meeting here, on a hilltop in Ikaria, are pretty slim. It may come to nothing, but at least he’ll know I’m thinking of him.
I’ll not say much more tonight. I’ve come away from the celebrations to write to you. When the band was sound-checking, the sky behind them was blue and indigo and burnt orange. A truly magical place, and for me, a fortunate meeting.
The young boys from the village are gathering on the outskirts, talking excitedly. About what I have no idea. Maybe wondering what the Englishman is doing, sitting and typing into his phone.
They’re very sweet with each other, and with the village dogs and cats.
We’re emotional creatures, us human beings. The connections between us are truly precious.
I guess that’s all I have to say for now. Sending love.
Till tomorrow
Love
Mikey