Ferries, trains, airplanes, Athens, Ios, Santorini and Amsterdam: Part 3 - Santorini

I am rolling out my sleeping bag, listening to the kids in the "restaurant" that still seems more like a front patio hangout spot than a restaurant playing fussball and talking. After putting the sleeping bag out on a lounge chair in a darker, more quiet area by the bathroom, I slide in and go to sleep.

The next day I have the man who owns the restaurant purchase me a ticket for the ferry, since he also doubles as a part-time traveling agent for those wishing to get off the island. I talk a bit with J., the restaurant owner and J.'s friend, then lug my luggage (backpack filled with clothes, guitar and sleeping bag) to the bus stop and go back to the ferry.

I am glad to be free of J. since there was so much weird tension between us, but know I will never forget him. He was what I suppose could be called an essential character in my trip, and I still think about him from time to time.

Wherever you are, J., I hope you are happy, hope you are taking it "one day at a time," like you always told me to.

***

The ferry trip to Santorini was quiet, and I spent most of the time curled up on one of the cushioned restaurant-style bench-like chairs set into the wall trying to sleep.

Santorini is beautiful (thank you Josh and Herr Neuber for the tip) as I was told. After looking around a bit, I locate the bus going to my hostel. The land is very dry, like Ios, and while there are a few trees here and there most of the vegetation seem to be grape plants for wine. Being alone feels fine, although I feel a bit of a disconnect and have since Ios. Maybe it has something to do with Unicorn. Maybe not.

***

It has been over four months since Santorini now. Instead of recounting the memories anymore, here is what I wrote in my handwritten journal:
In my hostel's common area on Santorini at Perissa and just returned home from a walk with 6 girls I randomly met. We walked along famous black sand beach up to bar where we received free shots and I then ordered toast and paid for the drinks of the four remaining girls

I was a pimp, one man with six girls on the beach...oh yeah.

(no, nothing happened...)

Here's some from the next day:

I compulsively decided to pay 25 Euros to go on a tour by bus and boat that includes the volcano...
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The volcano was cool, although whatever this thing in my throat is has been sore (I got sick after leaving Ios, presumably from whatever J. had as I shared a waterbottle with him). Just had lunch on one of Santorini's Islandswith Laura and Tammy after deciding not to make the long climb to the small village at the top. After having Gyros we conversed about Batman and Superhero movies among other things. They just saw "Dark Knight" and Tammy .in particular refused to give anything away.
*
We are now sitting in a ruined castle preparing to watch the sunset...
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The Veranda is a hub of late night activity as men attempt to pick up women and women indulge them, alcohol is consumed and casual stories are exchanged. Many stories center on traveling and predictable non-essential but tried and true biographical information (Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do?)
Today I went to the bank in Fira, random island towns and Perissa Beach by ATV, a ten-hour excursion that cost 25 Euros. The Throat feels a tad better although I am coughing a bit more.

That ATV ride was tons of fun! I went all over the island. It didn't really go over 50 unless the ground was either flat or headed down hill, but it was a lot of fun and I hope to go back and take my fiance soon...

*

My Fiance. Well, you will find out more about that if you read on...