Ο Σύλλογος γυναικών Μυκόνου αφιέρωσε την Ημέρα της Γυναίκας (9/3/2017) στη ζωγράφο Καρολίνα Wells η οποία επέλεξη να ζήσει στο νησί των ανέμων. Έδειξε την αγάπη της σε αυτό τον τόπο ζωγραφίζοντας κάθε γωνιά του νησιού.
I first saw Mykonos in May of 1962 under a full moon from the deck of the Despina, a cargo ship 24 hours from Athens to Samos carrying soldiers, ladies in black chickens, and old men carrying of bundles of food and goods from Athens. They brought out their lunch and shared it with me. When the boat stopped we climbed down a long staircase and were taken by small wooden boats into the harbor of Mykonos spread out under a full moon a cluster of small white houses and churches huddled next to a pitch black Aegean sea. There was no electricity yet I stayed youth hostile Maria and Kostas Ξυζακι at Parapotiani church.
When I woke the next morning I couldn’t believe my eyes as I walked to the harbor followed by young brown eyed children curious about my every move. There were only local men and or fisherman sitting in the three cafes. As I walked by they invited me to sit down ( Τσούκας) and join them smiling and welcoming offering me orange soda and Kalakithakia. Everywhere I went people were charming offering their hospitality. I was one of ten tourists visiting Mykonos. Right then and there I something special in Mykonos. I had to learn the language and learn their secret of happiness and joy living together on that island.
The Mykonians captured my heart from the moment I stepped on that harbor they were beautiful people, charming, hospitable, φύλο ξένη, φυλοτημι,. There is not a little house in Mykonos were they haven’t shared their food with me. One family ( Μαριλο και Αθανάσιος Λυκουρης) invited me to eat with them at lunch, they had fire in the τσακι and made a simple pot of food for everyone – there was meat on Sunday in the ταπσει cooked in a big oven at the bakery. There were no ovens, ice boxes, and electricity had just arrived.
The Mykonians fed me, taught me Greek and looked after me. I can’t say enough of their love and kindness towards me for the past 55 years. I wanted to paint the Island and the people. The Mykonians and Mykonos has been an inspiration to me, my life, and my art work.
The Mykonians have worked hard and made very good lives with their φηλοξενια because of their acceptance of people and foreigners from all walks of life.
I appreciate them today as much I did fifty five years ago and will never stop wanting their love, support, acceptance, and validation.
Mykonos is special to me because of the Mykonians and their φιλοξενία and φιλότιμο
karolina
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