There’s a little Greek in all of us
Tarpon Springs, Florida
Clear, 90°
“Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember
and remember more than I have seen.”
Tarpon Springs is still the little community with a strong Greek presence but we both noticed how things had changed over the years as the older generations have retired or died their children are not replacing them in the businesses.
Some of the old Greek shops and restaurants have been replaced with the typical beach town tourist shops, somewhat taking away from the quaintness found here.
The Greek men sitting outside their shop or at the open air tables at a “taverna” talking or playing checkers were still there but there were only a few.
The fishing boats and sponge diving boats lined the wharf but many had moved off the main dock across to moor up leaving room for the tourist boats giving sunset cruises or going out to shell island.
The sponge shops and soap shops were still very evident along with many Greek restaurants but the side streets atmosphere had changed more to an American typical beach bar feel. There were still several open air seating establishments with people enjoying themselves talking, eating, or people watching.
We stopped at one of the places on the wharf and had fresh peel and eat shrimp and beer enjoying the people, the movement of the boats on the water while taking in the aromas of the Greek food and bakeries along the way.
I guess things change with progress but I missed the atmosphere of the times when my high school best friend and diving partner Johnny and I, would come through on our way from Crystal River diving with the Manatees heading to the Florida Keys to snorkel and dive. Different times then, but Tarpon Springs still has a great Greek flair about it, only to a smaller degree now that the younger generations have moved on to other endeavors.
Still “Traveling Life’s Highways” to see another friend (veteran) in Apalachicola, FL, the journey continues.