In our part of the world, water isn’t just a precious resource; it’s a mythical creature, like the Unicorn or the Loch Ness Monster. You hear about it, people talk about it, but you rarely see it coming out of your faucet. If you’re lucky enough to live in one of the «privileged» neighborhoods—such as Aloizianika, Kypriotianika, Frilingianika, or Kastrisianika, you can enjoy it for a few hours, but don’t make the mistake of taking it for granted. The next time you take a break, you might wake up to find your faucet as dry as the Sahara…
But don’t worry, fellow citizens. There is water! It’s out there, hidden in the pipes, waiting for the moment it can gush triumphantly into our homes, before disappearing again at the speed of a summer squall… Water outages have now become a daily routine, as if they were part of our culture. In fact, some people believe that these vacations are a unique opportunity to discover the joys of simplicity, to connect with nature, and to rediscover our primal relationship with the environment! What could be better than collecting rainwater or digging wells in your garden, just to see what your limits are?;
And of course, we can’t leave out the municipal workers, who are always on standby to «repair» the damage. They’re so dedicated to their work that they’ve become true experts at shutting off the water supply to entire neighborhoods with advance notice and restoring it with the mastery and skill of a. A break in the main pipeline? No problem—we’ll shut off the water for a few hours or, if we’re lucky, for the whole day! And for those who dare to complain, there’s always the standard disclaimer: «We apologize for the inconvenience.».
Fortunately, the residents of Kythira are resilient. They’ve learned to appreciate the moments when water flows, hurriedly filling bottles, pots, and buckets before it disappears again. Water, you see, is like gold—when you have it, you make the most of it.
Yes, dear friends, there is water! You just need the right timing, the right storage strategy, and, of course, the patience of a saint. And if all else fails, you can always hope for a good rain. After all, on this island, you never know what the next day will bring.
—
Kastelanis
