by Christos Zabounis

My observatory is not the bustling square of Skala, nor the terrace of Agia Levia in Chora, whose original name, it should be noted, due to its origin, was Theoktisti Lesvia. A southern beach, one of the few sandy ones with crystal clear waters, became my “office”, in the sense that this is where intellectual work, whether articles or books, is conceived and executed. An end oak table houses the bundles of papers, since I actually write by hand. “English, French, Portuguese” parade starting in the early morning hours, with minimal Greek presence, since the old “Giorgo’s Place” was transformed into a plage-restaurant de luxe. Amazing service from dozens of young men and women from the island, high standard cuisine and dolce far niente. Nice looks, chic outfits, Panama hats, and espadrilles instead of flip flops. “Principle of purification, silence”, father Philippos used to say every time we went up with the halflings from Tarsanas to his hermitage of Thomades, and in “Atmos”, even when it is fully booked, there is a respectful silence. It is not without significance that its creator is the son of the architect Aris Konstantinidis, of Xenia, nor that his mother was the internationally renowned artist Natalia Mela, whose sculptures adorn the extravagant aesthetic space. Reservez s’il vous plait.

Photo Courtesy of Atmos