A STORY OF A XENOPHILE IN XANTHI, GREECE
Colourful ticker-tape blew all around as the parade made its way through the streets of Xanthi. Locals and tourists lined the route, cheering, waving and dancing along to the loud mix of music. Bright, garish and traditional costumes were everywhere. The atmosphere was intoxicating, and this was before the Ouzo had even been broached in earnest.
Today was the end of the Spring festival, held every year for a fortnight in February, celebrating the folklore and history of Thrace and northern Greece, as well as providing entertainment, concerts and the final parade.
Michael had come here straight from the Venice Carnival at the start of the month. Last year he had been in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and Rio. In terms of size Xanthi could not compete with those larger and more famous events, but as Michael had found, that was to its benefit. This was a friendly, personal carnival. The locals joined in with enthusiasm rather than cursing the influx of tourists. Michael had lost count of the number of houses and cafés he had been invited into to enjoy the hospitality of strangers. The locals, a mixture of Greeks, Turks, Macedonians and Bulgarians, who seemed to co-exist in perfect harmony, were unfailingly exuberant, outgoing and companionable.
He had taken in open air musical concerts in the ancient amphitheatre, street theatre, historical reenactments and numerous exhibitions. He had heartily enjoyed the local fish, salad and meats all washed down with Raki and Tsipouro. The hangovers and sleeping until midday had been worth the zealous pace of living over the fortnight.
The parade arrived at the entrance to the Old Town, next to the Kosynthos River, where the crowds gathered in a swirling celebratory mass as dusk gave way to night. Here the carnival would end with the Burning of the Tsar and a spectacular fireworks display. The partying would carry on late into the morning.
Reality could wait until the morning when Michael would have to think about getting out of the country. The money from home had run out. The gap year was coming to an end. The thought of the London School of Economics and four grey years of studying lay ahead.
Unless he didn’t go back. It was the first time the thought had expressly presented itself, although it had been lurking in his subconscious unformed for the last few months. What was stopping him? Expectation, for one; his parents for another; Brexit more than anything, although there was still no settlement on the rights of UK citizens living and working within the EU.
But given the choice of a simple life in the Mediterranean sun working odd jobs and moving from one adventure to the next, or the stuffy safe career in the city, it was obvious which he would prefer. And while he still had that choice his mind was set. The first firework shot into the night sky, the crowd roared, Michael raised his bottle of Ouzo and drank, the strong aniseed flavour catching his breathe. To my new life, he thought.
There was so much of the world still to see, so many new people to meet, and that night Michael determined to see as much of it as he could.
Written as part of The A to Z Challenge 2018. Click HERE for more details of the challenge.
Each day in April we will visit a different town or city in the European Union, whose name will begin with the letter of the day – today its Xanthi in the Northeast of Greece – for a story based on a theme also corresponding to the same letter.
Over the course of the month and 26 stories, we will visit all 28 member countries to complete a farewell tour before Britain leaves the political union next year, touching on the history, politics, culture and people at the heart of Europe.
For a full list of stories and places visited, visit here: THE A TO Z CHALLENGE 2018.
63 responses to “X IS FOR XANTHI, GREECE”
A pleasant story after yesterday’s really heavy one. Good on Michael deciding to follow his heart than succumb to what was expected of him. Nice read, Iain
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Thanks Varad, I have tried to not make every story about war, but in Europe’s history it is tricky to avoid it!
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I’ve enjoyed your series too Iain.
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Thank you so much for reading 🙂
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Loved this story as what u wrote yesterday was heavy on me. Excellent narration.
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Thank you, nice to think of happier times 🙂
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Michael is having a great time. His parents will be horrified but he is certainly learning more than he would at uni. I’m a bit apprehensive that he will plunge into alcoholism and lead a short and pointless life. However I think he will find a purpose but this is very dependent on the people around him who become his friends.
Anyway good luck to him.
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Thanks Linda, a small hint, Michael will reappear before the end of the challenge, so you will get to see where he ends up a little further on.
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Go Michael! Loved this. You painted a vibrant picture with your words that matched the image perfectly.
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Thank you 🙂
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Good for Michael. Good for his soul!
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Indeed, thanks Denise 🙂
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The heart wants what it wants.:)
A lovely post and an antonym of mine 🙂
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Thank you, I wanted to have something positive today after a lot of troubling history in my stories! 🙂
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An engaging story- like the sense pf place and energy of the festivities. Sounds inviting ! No wonder your hero chose colour over greyness.
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Exactly, wouldn’t we all?! 🙂
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loved the story. love the picture too. last leg.. it needs to with celebrations. extra brownies for that. 🙂
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Haha, yep, almost finished the long tour 🙂
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Another excellent story, Iain.
I’m torn between cheering him on for pursuing a life of adventure and telling him to grow up and get a job. 😉
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Yep, I can definitely see the allure of the adventure 🙂
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Great tone and it sets the stage perfectly for Michael’s big decision. “But given the choice of a simple life in the Mediterranean sun working odd jobs and moving from one adventure to the next, or the stuffy safe career in the city, it was obvious which he would prefer.” That is a great and far reaching decision. I wonder once Michael picks one will he ever wonder about what life would have been like if he took the opposite path?
https://writingiscommunication.wordpress.com/2018/04/27/x-factor-the-space-between-bookstore-presented-by-a-to-z-100-word-stories/
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Stay tuned for the ‘Z’ post for an update on our Michael! Thanks for reading again 🙂
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Follow your heart, easy to say to a character in a story. Not sure how I’d react if he were my son.
Heart vs head –age old conflict set in a carnival: fab.
Thank you Iain.
X is for Xavier’s college canteen
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Exactly, as a parent it would look very different!
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Following one’s heart leaves one fulfilled and free – glad Micheal made that decision too.
X is for Xenial #atozchallenge
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Thank you 🙂
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Makes me want to go and join in with the festivities!
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I know, right? Me too!
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I’m with Michael! Places to visit, things to see, people to meet. Yamas!
A-Z of My Friend Rosey!
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Thanks Keith
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Oh a nice departure with this one – and wouldn’t we all like to make the same decision!
A-Zing this year at:
FictionCanBeFun
Normally found at:
DebsDespatches
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I would like to even have the choice! Ah well, regrets, I’ve had a few!
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Ah, the big choice. To live a wandering life or a safe one? Of course, there’s no reason why he couldn’t do both. Lovely story.
(I did pop by yesterday, but I couldn’t stay. I’m sure the story was lovely, but Holocaust stories are “triggering” for me, and I’ve learned it’s best to avoid them, no matter how well done they are. Sorry.)
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Thanks Liz
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Following the heart over head is never easy, so am glad Michael followed his. Soothing read!
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Thank you
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A so goes so many well-planned goals. I suspect he’ll change his mind later or not.
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He may grow tired of the hedonistic lifestyle after too much Ouzo! 🙂
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Hmmm… given your A-Z theme, I wonder if this one is a little autobiographical… or if you wish it were!
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Unfortunately I only wish it could have been me – maybe one day, when I’m a little older than Michael 🙂
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You capture the atmosphere perfectly. Here’s to his future adventures!
https://katseaholm.wordpress.com/2018/04/27/x-is-for-xanadu/
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The choice is never easy. I hope he can enjoy and see as much, while he still can.Most of all,I hope he doesn’t regret the decision. Lovely word-painting, Iain. Thank you for the rich virtual tour of culturally-rich Xanthi.
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Thank you Moon, seems like a nice place to visit 🙂
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Youth is the time to explore you options and figure out your future. A traditional path such as college is not necessarily for everyone. I hope he enjoys his time exploring the world. Weekends In Maine
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There’s plenty of time later on to settle down – if only we knew that when we were in our youth!
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I have met Michael! He comes through Puerto Lopez with a backpack, having added South America to his travel list. Sometimes he’s with friends, sometimes alone. Sometimes, he goes by Michelle, too. One thing that is consistent is his smile.
Emily In Ecuador
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Ha, I didn’t realise he had made it to another continent, maybe he can guide us round South America for next years A – Z!
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That would be fabulous!
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Such an exuberant story. Michael is having such a fun time. I can see why he’d want to stay or keep on travelling to enjoy and experience more sights and cultures. But my old fart/ parental neurones are firing and worrying about the money – will odd jobs be enough to sustain him?
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Perhaps for a while, but will he get so far and realise that perhaps there needs to be more purpose to his life? But then there is the joy of just living in the moment and going with the flow.
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I feel like travelling now. Nice one.
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I would take a visit 🙂
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Lovely post, feel like visiting now, I’m loving all your series.
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Thank you so much, glad you are enjoying it 🙂
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Pleasant scenic story!!
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Thank you 🙂
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Raising my glass to you Iain!
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Cheers! 🙂
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Ah! Lucky are those who have the guts to break away from conventional wisdom and live on a whim. Good for Michael. It is risky but worth it if you are an adventurer.
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And if you have the opportunity – I wish I could 🙂
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Hi Iain! This brought me back to the Mardi Gras celebrations..not in New Orleans but Chicago :). Would love to be part of the Xanthi celebrations…It´s a good decision when Michael makes his fantasy a reality, Life´s short why have regrets at the end. 🙂
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I had no idea Chicago had Mardi Gras celebrations – a wonderful city 🙂
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Am sure not anywhere close to the real deal but they do try hard to keep the spirit of Mardi Gras alive in Chicago. Was fun and we enjoyed it nonethless. I agree about the city! 🙂
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