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Filming on Symi - “Symi in ALL Seasons” is the result of what some people might call our misguided love of this lump of rock in the Aegean. Some people questioned our sanity when they heard we were going filming on a remote Greek island in the winter (November, December, January). Well we did it to capture the true flavour of Greek island life as it really is.
When we arrived in Rhodes via Amsterdam and Crete, things went wrong straight away. We arrived but our luggage went missing. Fortunately we had our video cameras and equipment. While waiting for our luggage we were asked to video a Greek wedding and reception (500 guests). An experience we will never forget, and which made us many new friends. Eventually we arrived on Symi, and being there in the winter was an unforgettable experience, as the hospitality of the islanders was fantastic, although we think they also thought we were a little bit mad. This was all good material for our video cameras, and we were able to capture events which no summer visitor could hope to experience. New Year was a good time with dancing, musicians, carol singers and the constant ringing of church bells, although tramping up the Kali Strata in the dark and rain, and in a howling gale, with anoraks and hoods on is a true test of Symi dedication. New Years Day we walked over to St Nicholas and did not see another soul. We were able to capture it in its winter setting, sunny, deserted, and no sunbeds, and the water warm enough to swim.
We were fortunate to be on Symi when the young men were diving for the Cross in the harbour before it was time to leave on the 7th January. Well we had planned to leave, as our flight back to Scotland was the following day. Unfortunately Symi was not prepared to let us leave, as the winds were too strong and the seas too high to allow any sailings. For the next 3 days each morning was the same routine - down to the harbour just in case there was a chance to get off the island, and then back to our apartment because all sailings were cancelled. Then our opportunity came, we were told that the Kalymnos was going to attempt to enter the harbour at midnight, so down we went to wait by the clock tower in a howling gale and horizontal rain. Then there was cheering from all the others also trying to leave as the Kalymnos appeared lit up like a Christmas tree. It did a complete turn in Nimborios Bay and headed back out to sea without attempting to berth. We were not the only ones to let out groans and other remarks.
Eventually we managed to leave Symi on the 12th January (nearly a week late and other work at home piling up). Sailing across to Rhodes was another treat, the sea by now was a flat calm, and the mountains in Turkey were covered in snow and glistened in the bright sunlight.
Greek Easter saw our return, and were invited into several of the churches by the Priests to film the Easter services, although John lost his hearing in one ear when a passing shock wave from the customary Easter dynamite explosions rendered him deaf for a week. Even now he still has ringing in his ear. We were very fortunate to be able to video Koukkoumas & dancing, and Independence Day procession and service. Also included in “Symi in All Seasons” are Symi Festival, Festival of St. Michael, Panormitis, summer shots of beaches, boat trips, interior of the island, islanders at work including crafts, and many other interesting sequences.
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