I have not seen or done anything to post about. So I will pass you on --for today only, of course--to deTraci Regula's Greece Travel Blog.

Do you want to know my innermost thoughts about life and travel? Last week I filled out a questionaire for the TravelPod site with the intent of posting it here as well. But they did such a good job of displaying it I will just refer you to The TravelPod Blog


That post commerates my selection as a Local Expert for Greece in their travel forums. You can find my "starter kit" or FAQ at this link: TravelPod Forum for Greece


Feel free to browse through the TravelPod site and forums; you will find some interesting people and information, if you like to travel that is.

What a lovely day today. No clouds, little wind, warm sun. I am guessing a high of 65 F (18 C). We took a very pleasant walk.

You have to click on the photo to see the petite Karin on our favourite trail.

This photo is of the village centre across the bay from the trail.

Our end of the island is perfect for trekking along the coast line.

I have been working on several projects simultaneously, of course thereby getting none of them finished.

Here is a survey that I am sending out and getting good response to. Feel free to contribute your ideas.

Dear Paros Painter,
I am writing to everyone who has enquired about art workshops on our Greek island. The light, air and scenery here are still incomparable for painting, yet as most places around the world we are expecting a difficult 2009. We hope to make the best of it by offering affordable opportunities for each of you to enhance your art.
You can help make this happen by taking a few minutes to respond to just 3 survey questions.
1) Are you seriously considering travel to a distant workshop in 2009?
2) Which month from April through October is for best for you to attend a workshop in Greece? Would you pay a premium for July and August high season?
3) Which is your preferred style of workshop -- plein air, oil, water color, portrait, landscape, studio ? Please feel free to combine and elaborate.
Any other comments or questions about Paros workshops are welcome.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best Wishes,
Michael
Paros Hospitality Art Workshops
P.S. Due to preliminary interest we have scheduled Plein Air with Ron Johnson for 17 - 23 May, 2009. Read more at http://www.parosparadise.com/Page7.htm or email for a Detail Sheet with all the particulars.

Technorati Tags: Greece,Greek island,Paros,painting,art,workshop

I often receive requests for cost of living information from people considering life in Greece. My short answer is that Greece is not cheaper than anywhere else but that we live more simply on our island.

Below is what I wrote to a single, retired man who already lives simply in another country:

Off the top of my head I would say the following is a minimum budget for subsistence: In Euro per month

Rent on one bedroom flat within walking distance of shops and restaurants: 200

Electricity w/o heat or air conditioning 30

Telephone/ADSL internet package 50

Groceries 200

If you choose your flat wisely you will not need air conditioning because of breezes. Heating by electricity could run more than 300 Euro per winter; by oil easily 100 Euro less; wood about the same as oil. You can get better but not cheaper accommodation if you invest in transportation.

Of course most people will want and can afford better than that. Many wealthy people live well on Paros as well.

Yesterday I discovered another blogger who took a more extensive approach to comparing the cost of living between New York City and Athens. I would guess the results would surprise New Yorkers but not Athenians.

The article is too long and involved to summarize. I will just quote two items from her chart: in Euro

Athens New York

Haagen Dazs (500 ml) 6.32 3.07

Rice (500 gm) .55 .67

See the entire article and chart here:

http://livingingreece.gr/2008/11/10/greece-usa-price-comparison/

I always welcome emails about expat life; please write with your specific questions.

Welcome to a new year in paradise--though I do have a bad cold and the weather is unpleasant . . . etc.

All in all 2008 was a good year; I can only hope 2009 will be at least as good.

We had a quiet New Years Eve at home. The lone local taverna that is still open hosted a holiday banquet but we did not feel up to extended partying.

Our highlight was a visit to our door by two kalanda singers. If you don't know what that means, you can research Greece festivals on our full service Paros web site.

Cheers,