September vibes

September is the month to feel the island’s vibe. There is a peacefulness in the way tourists and locals blend; August noises fade away along with the singing of the cicadas and we can hear the island whispering again. We can hear the rain falling on the soil releasing its earthy smell that we have missed. We can still stay out to see the early morning and afternoon impressionist sky alternating to a dominating night sky that seems to have popped out of an El Greco’s painting. The atmosphere is clear after the rain and the contours of neighbor islands seem invitingly close.

This is the month that is most revealing about the character of the islands, to those who observe: we can experience all four seasons in a day and feel an island’s solitude as well as its outgoing social side. To travel from one island to another in a short period of time is funny; with so many differences as well as similarities, I can’t help thinking of a big family.

I just came back from Mykonos, which is difficult to describe without talking about its people: hard working locals as well as seasonal employees, tourists and visitors, fill the island with color, passion and movement in a unique way. The old times aura is still there, speaking through its loud absence; the search for sparkles and escape continues, even without the personalities that created the island’s golden era. There, now, there are people looking at other people, people smiling at other people. Flirting, living the moment, being interested. Dressing out, to see the world and the word to see them; a very Mediterranean thing. Moving on the island surface that is traced like paper by yesterday’s travellers, it is very easy to give in to the mesmerizing carefreeness and joy that is spread all over the island by its vivid people.

Returning to Paros -to the beloved September Paros- I found the island in a rather different mood. Here, now, there is a refreshing quietness as people gradually become the background and the island is introducing us to its wild, winter authenticity. People go out in couples or in small groups, creating closed cycles that intersect only for brief moments; sharing just a common feeling of satisfaction for being here, in September, as the boats leave the island filled with passengers.

I think the Aegean island’s pluralism is easily noticeable during Fall. Schools are open, the vine harvesting and distillations are taking place, the people that work hard during the summer months adopt a slower pace while others return to work feeling energetic; tourists are here, artists get inspired, many of them still enjoy the beach, the countryside and the open-air dinners. September is a crossroad for people to meet before winter takes them to different places and different lives. And every crossroad is a start. With a desire to keep the serenity of this period and a few days away from October, we wish you all a great start to all your September plans and dreams.

photos by christos drazos

words by maria alipranti