“Travels to a Different Time” : 5September2022: Pythagoras, Samos, Greece: Tattoo Crazy: Unauthorized Entry

Off to visit Vathi. But first that ballet of a breakfast at Doryssa Bay downstairs. There are many German, Nordic and Dutch tourists on Samos. North Americans are somewhat of the exception. Breakfast here by experience is hectic but sit outside in the summer air overlooking the ocean is a great pleasure. Why on earth would I want to eat inside! The buffet is complete and perhaps the most impressive one in Greece. I ate light with bread, eggs and some water being rather guarded with an upset tummy last night. I noted that the buffet has trimmed down from our last visit. And there are less staff as there was a wait for coffee cups and certain buffet items. Cost cutting due to COVID caused drop in revenue? Ran into a thuggish, burly and heavily tattooed Trumpist with a MAGA hat and an obese wife rather slovenly looking. I have seen this couple around. Tourists indeed! After the conclusion of our visit returned home for a swim, beer and a bag of oregano potato chips. As it is September the water has cooled down a bit and with a light wind it is almost chilly. There are so many tattooed people here. One Greek man with a young family had a massive tattoo of an eagle on his back. There was a huge German lady with each butt cheek the size of three watermelons sunning her back and butt as blazing sunburnt as they were. I headed off to Herion to find some souvlaki and was directed to the best souvlaki place in town but it was closed. I had trouble parking the car as stray cats had taken over the parking spot. Someone had to shoo them away. I returned home empty handed being informed by Fotini a staff member with a guest had entered the room while she was waiting for me. I phoned the front desk and received profuse apologies for this transgression. So off the Pythagoras to a local greasy spoon “Robinsons” for two souvlaki, fries and Greek Salad and some local rosé wine made with Folkiano grapes. Upon arriving back in the room greeted by an employee with a bottle of wine in an ice bucket and a bowl of fresh fruit with an apology note. Not expected but an attempt to placate irate guests.