first Greek sunset was about to happen, setting into the Mediterranean just to the north of Syros. The entire sky had turned orange.
Alexander learned that Polychroni’s wife was away in Athens visiting her sick mother, but when she was here on the island she ran the local newspaper The Tinos Pharos. Both of them were educated people and as Alexander ate the delicious foods and drank the unusual Retsina, he learned that these two were a lot more than just an educated couple. Polychroni had taught at prestigious institutions both in Greece and abroad and his wife was a published author. Alexander looked forward to meeting her. He asked when she might return to the island.
‘Within a few days, I expect,’ replied Polychroni. ‘Her mother is improving every day.’
‘That’s good to hear,’ Alexander stated sympathetically.
‘Tell me,’ started Polychroni, ‘what’s the real reason that you’re travelling? Surely at your age you should be doing national service.’
‘That’s true. I’m escaping my responsibilities.’
‘You do realise, I suppose, that you’ll have to stay away from your country for quite some years. Your government won’t want you back without some form of punishment.’
‘Yes I do realise this fact.’
‘So what are you going to do?’
‘Travel and keep travelling, I suppose.’
‘Do you think that’s wise?’
‘It’s worrying not being able to go back and see my family and friends, but we can meet for holidays in countries near and far from Holland, and that’s exactly what we’ll be doing I presume.’
‘It’s not ideal though, is it? Do you have another choice?’
‘Not really,’ answered Alexander sadly. ‘I’m a pacifist, and the alternative service option is no real option at all. I don’t want to spend eighteen months of my life doing something I sincerely don’t want to do.’
‘But aren’t your options things like helping the ambulance service or assisting at a primary or preschool?’
‘Yes but I don’t even want to do that.’
‘Good luck then, my friend. You’re going to need it.’
The twilight sky was now turning to deep purple. The Retsina was taking effect. Alexander felt quite drowsy. ‘I’m going to have to call it a night. I haven’t slept properly for three days.
‘I completely understand,’ replied Polychroni.
‘I’ll call for the bill,’ said Alexander.
‘You most certainly will not. I will pay. My sister owns the restaurant. I get a good deal.’
‘Well thank you very much. It’s been a superb meal and it’s been great getting to know you.’
‘Let’s continue this talk tomorrow. Would you like to?’
‘Yes actually I would,’ stated Alexander emphatically.
‘And I’ll bring a book or two, something I think you’d like to read.’
‘I’d appreciate that, thanks.’
‘And you can show me your drawings.’
‘No problem.’
‘Kalinikta Alexander.’ Kalinikta is Good night.’
‘Kalinikta Polychroni.’
They shook hands and parted company.
Alexander walked home slowly. The first stars of night were now visible. Just a soft glow remained in the western sky. The sounds of a Greek village gently bombarded his ears: dogs barking in the distance, conversations in Greek here and there, the chores of washing up being performed, the sound of a motorbike with a faulty muffler in the distance.
That night Alexander slept like a baby. He woke not long after sunrise and decided the best way to start the day was to have a swim. He walked down to a stretch of sand he’d noticed when he met the fishermen the day before and plunged in without hesitation. It was his first swim since last summer and it was a beautiful feeling. Even here in the harbour there were fish everywhere. After a long time in the water, Alexander dried off and went to find somewhere for breakfast. He was well aware that he had to watch his money. While finishing high school he held down two jobs, one assisting in his mother’s bakery and the other in a local bicycle repair shop. Together with a substantial gift from his grandparents and parents he had enough money to last him a year, maybe longer if he was careful. His entire family including his two sisters were sympathetic with him not wanting to join the army. The older members of the family knew war well. Nearly everyone in Europe had been affected by the loss of someone close.
He sat down at another of the many harbourside cafés and ordered his breakfast. As he had nothing to read he just watched the world go by. It wasn’t until several hours later that he ran into Polychroni.
‘Here, I have a couple of books for you to read. Both of them are by the author Krishnamurti.’
Alexander excitedly accepted the books. ‘Thanks very much. Who is this author?’
‘Krishnamurti is one of the greatest thinkers of the twentieth century,’ replied Polychroni. ‘His views on life, God, the seeking of pleasure, relationships and so much more have encouraged many others from all corners of the world during his life and since to go within and seek answers to the complexities of life. If you, Alexander, are the type of person to read Hermann Hesse, then you will appreciate the writings of Krishnamurti, I am sure. I loan you these two books in the hope that they will affect you as they did me.’
Opening the first book, Alexander got that same feeling again. He looked Polychroni straight in the eye and said, ‘I can honestly feel that what I am holding here is enormously special. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
‘Say no more. Enjoy the reading. Now might I see some of your sketches?’
‘Sure,’ Alexander replied as he reached for his sketch-pad and handed it to Polychroni.
‘These are excellent,’ said Polychroni as he viewed each of the dozen or so drawings. ‘You have a very unique style.’
‘Thank you,’ Alexander replied pleased to get the compliment.
‘Reading and art and travelling the world … an admirable combination.’
With those words Polychroni turned to leave. ‘Yassu Alexander. Enjoy the books.’
‘Yassu, efharisto.’
The days ahead for Alexander were astonishing. Never before in his life had he read such meaningful words. Of course being 19 years of age, it was an extraordinarily influential time of a young man’s life, and reading Krishnamurti opened Alexander’s mind like never before.
Krishnamurti described things that Alexander found both moving and disturbing. Sometimes
