Hellas on 35mm
Beyond the white buildings, influencers, yachts and blue roofs of the isles, the southwest coast of Greece harkens to a time before the internet and 24/7 news cycles.
As we travel south from Kalamata along the western coast of the Peloponnese, we are greeted by quiet fishing villages and towns in celebration, each surrounded by hazy hills and the bright clear waters of the Aegean Sea.
We wind along narrow roads that break into vistas of ancient-seeming olive groves, cemeteries and churches set against the sea. The abandoned buildings and long-closed shops the frequently appear disclose the hardships of the ongoing economic crisis.
On the Peninsula, like legs dangling in the water, the bakeries and cafes press tightly against the beaches. The owners and operators are glad to have any visitors, and they share their dishes made from treasured recipes.
We make our way north towards Athens, the vibrant beating heart of Greece where even the newest construction appears from a bygone era. The birds dance among the thousand-year old towers as we anthropoi mingle or hurry to our next destination.
The feeling of timeless immediacy.
