Stefania Savva With origins from Greece, Stefania was born in Limassol, Cyprus in 20/10/1986. Already from her early childhood, she was drawn to painting and writing. Following her first degree in Primary Education at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, she pursued a master in art education and a doctorate in museum studies.
The huge ribbon on my curly brown-red hair was finely dancing following the Vardaris’[1] tricks, as I was going downwards in Kamara[2] , headed for crowded Navarinou square. Halfway I stopped as usual to taste Elenidis’ pastry triangles[3] (trigona ). I wouldn’t be able to describe the feeling! As soon as the cream touched my dry lips, all my sensations were awoken. Before completing the savory taste, I was facing the White Tower[4] , the symbol of Thessaloniki[5] , on the background of the Thermaikos gulf[6] blue veil, dotted by abundant golden diamonds – the gift of the benefactor sun, just before he would make his grandiose exit for his everyday-journey.
A colorful crowd of local and foreign passers-by was going up and down uninterrupted on the sea-shore pedestrian street. The street-vendors in vain were urging them to take a look at the merchandise. Many people were gathering at the cafes, across the street, seeking to pass their time.
The sea waves were attracting me. I crossed the street and sat on the stairs along with other young people of my age - they were all students. One of them, with short-cut hair, smiled as he saw me looking towards them. I smiled as well. For a while, he gazed at his friends and then he stood and came towards me.
- Hi, would you like to sit with us? The view is better from this point, he said and smiled. Two dimples appeared on the right and left side of his lips.
I found the excuse charmingly funny and I laughed louder than usual, out of embarrassment. I joined them, we introduced ourselves. They were all Technical University students: Alexander and Michael, both from the city of Thessaloniki, were studying civil engineering. Nick and Vicky, who came from a province, studied applied Mathematics and Information Science. At the beginning, we were just chatting about the University and the exams. Then, we started talking about politics, travels, and – of course, as genuine Greeks – about love. During the discussion, Nick was looking towards me quickly. I cannot say I was indifferent, on the contrary. I was finding the way he was speaking attractive; and his eyes, as if they were in the blue color of the sea, were making me feel dizzy.
It was after 11pm when we took different directions immediately beyond the White Tower, on the oblique street connecting Tsimiski str. with Nikis str. They would take the bus (line 3) to Radio City, I would go on foot to Kamara. I was expecting a hint; I was expecting him to ask for my phone number, to ask me out on a date. For him a friendly tap on my shoulder and a vague “see you” were enough. Then, he disappeared with his bosom friends; then, I disappeared in the narrow streets of the city centre. I met him again the same night – in my dream. Since then, I have never met him again, since that first summer Sunday, the first year that I moved to the city of my heart, to Thessaloniki.
[1] Translator’s note: powerful northerly wind.
[2] Translator’s note: A triumphal arch built shortly before 305 AD to honour the Roman Emperor Galerius, after the final victory over the Persians.
[3] Translator’s note: pastry triangle with rich, creamy filling and crispy fyllo pastry.
[4] Translator’s note: monument and museum on the waterfront of the city of Thessaloniki. It is the hallmark of the city.
[5] Translator’s note: Thessaloniki (520 km. north of Athens) is the second largest city of Greece.
[6] Translator’s note: gulf of the Aegean Sea located south of Thessaloniki.
