A selfish wish

Sitia is technically a town but it feels like a village. Built on a hillside, overlooking a serene bay on the east end of Crete, it is more of a calm sanctuary, rather than a busy town on a touristic island. Because Crete is not only the biggest Greek island, it is also the most visited one, attracting more than five millions tourists each year. But for various reasons, all those tourists don't make it to the east. This side is like a different island, more mild, more quiet, more gentle. And since I have a lot of nice childhood memories from this place, I selfishly wish that it will remain the same, over the years!

Of course many things have changed since I was a child. Even that pier that I am walking and taking pictures of, used to be a sandy beach. The vibe is the same though. Despite the ambitious projects like the airport and the big port, it remains the less visited and less spoiled part of Crete. And the people seem to ignore the calendar and live their lives in the rhythm of their forefathers. The occupations have changed but that old low vibe attitude is still on their faces. And if you are in a hurry and you find service too slow, just look around and embrace it :)

Some of the older houses are identical with the ones I see at the villages of the area, giving me the chance to play with my camera and focus on the details that are more part of my memories than the actual face of the town. Some may call me anachronistic or even anti-development but those crumbling buildings give me a sense of continuation and (strangely enough) a reassuring feeling!

And the contrast between the signs of the past and the modern constructions and activities is just reinforcing those feelings.