Santorini

I knew we should go to Santorini, but only because everyone else did. Our short stay there (little more than a day) certainly exceeded those vague expectations. We found the island practically deserted, which suited us perfectly. We probably would have thought there were even more people there had the other couple in town not chosen to wear matching plaid shirts.

We stayed in Fira, the island's largest town and the only one with year-round businesses. From there we walked north through two more smaller towns enjoying views of the ocean on either side, the cliffs below, and Fira in the distance. Really spectacular stuff.

But our stay day in Santorini was defined less by the picture-postcard scenery than by two stray muts. We've been seeing remarkable numbers of stray dogs and cats in every one of our stops since Dubrovnik, but in Santorini they reached new heights. On our first night in town we were followed for a short period by a scruffy white pup. When we finally decided on a dinner spot she went her own way. But then the next morning we met again! And this time she had a friend - a cute lab mix with a limp. These two followed us as we made our way through the town.

At some point though, and it's hard to pinpoint exactly where, they began to take the lead. The gimp would run ahead, while scruffy stayed back to make sure we didn't miss any turns. At first it was a sort of joke: " ha ha we're following them." But as we did they seemed to lead us from one stunning secluded spot to another, and at some point I really came to believe they were giving us their expert tour, which precipitated the following exchange:

Aaron: Hey, I think if we turn here it will take us to the main road.

Jessie: But they're going straight.

Aaron: Yea but I think we have a better chance of finding food - WAIT A MINUTE are you following the dogs ınstead of me?

Jessie: Well don't you think they're leading us to food anyway- I mean that must be their whole purpose.

Aaron: But I have a map. And opposable thumbs.

Jessie (to dogs): You really don't want to go that way do you? No I didn't think so. You're taking us to food right?

Aaron: You know you're talking to dogs right?!?

Well as it turns out they were not leading us to food, and after a few hours of exploring the island's better vistas we parted ways. However, I'm still convinced they're smarter than they let on because, sure enough, when Aaron and I eventually settled down to some nice juicy gyros our white scruffy friend appeared from nowhere to claim her share.

So a huge thanks to our tour guides, Gimpy:

& Scruffy:

And now, for the obligatory dessert installment, I give you strawberry shortcake:

xoxo Jessie