What about…

Island dating?

In the islands, there are not many shop windows full of cadmium red hearts to remind you of Valentine’s Day; even though the Aegean scenery is probably one of the most romantic places to be: the beautiful sea sunsets and the amazing traditional settlements, that create the perfect balance between cliché and original, are waiting for you to discover holding hands with someone.

Yeap, it is possible to feel like you ‘re in the Mamma Mia movie during a romantic island date, but on a day like this, on a -February 14- date, the only common thing with the movie is that everyone is watching you. You see, in the Greek island dating scene, (if we accept that there is actually an-all year round- dating scene over here) there is a big difference when you’ re dating as a local, than when you’re dating as a tourist.

When you are a local, everyone knows you, and since you aren’t dating in NY but in a small island, a Valentine’s dinner could mean that on the table next to yours sits your ex boyfriend, your client, your cousin or your hairdresser, or all of them together (on a horror movie date maybe)… I guess it is something you need to get used to, when living here; Life as an open book and also open to all shorts of interpretations and opinions can be a very stressful thing; but it can also be a very liberating thing… In that case, a date could be a simulation of activity that teaches us how to feel free and be proud of our choices.

But who are the actual dating tribes of the Aegean? Are they the people that fell in love with an island and changed their lives to move here? Are they the true Aegean Valentines? Always in love with their island, never taking it for granted? There are also people that are here to work, only for a short period of time: contract teachers, public care doctors, temporary officials… they do date, they do party, and many of them create solid relationships and friendships on their way. Like in all small places, there are the high school sweethearts; dating each other for ever and ever, hanging out with other high school sweethearts in a non-singles universe… And in a galaxy far, far away, there are the singles, the couples and their often-conflicting social realities.

Photo courtesy of Aqua Vista Hotels | photography by christos drazos

words by maria alipranti