Kalymnos: a school, an island and new friends

In 2020, during a Fulbright exchange in Washington, I met Irene, a high school teacher from the island of Kalymnos, Greece. Years later the invitation came: visit her school and talk to the students. In March 2023 I packed my bags.

Day 1 (Mar 12): off to Greece

The trip had a layover in Munich, where a race car on display at the airport helped pass the time.

At night, the flight to Athens.

Day 2 (Mar 13): from Athens to Kalymnos

Early in the morning, a propeller plane took me from Athens to Kos, flying over an Aegean full of islands.

From Mastichari, on Kos, a short ferry crossing to Kalymnos.

And then Pothia, the island’s main town, with colorful houses climbing the hills.

To celebrate, my first Greek gyros.

In the alleys I met the island’s true owners: the cats.

The first night ended at a café table, in good company.

Day 3 (Mar 14): first day at school

The school is the 1st General Lyceum of Kalymnos, the high school in Pothia. Irene arranged everything so I could visit the classes of several teachers.

In each class I talked about Brazil and about my project to connect students from different countries.

I showed Brazil on the screen and the students filled the class with questions.

The Brazilian flag came along to every classroom and became the star of the photos.

In the afternoon I climbed up to see Pothia from above.

Day 4 (Mar 15): more classes and the west coast

Another day of classes, another class photo.

The school even has a website, announced on the wall: 1gelkalymnou.com.

In the afternoon, a drive along the west coast, with the limestone cliffs that draw climbers from all over the world.

In Myrties, the view of the small island of Telendos, right across the water.

And more cats, of course.

Day 5 (Mar 16): a quiet day

A calmer day, with homemade soup for dinner…

…and a Mythos, the Greek beer, to end the night.

Day 6 (Mar 17): goodbye to the school and the monastery

Last day of classes, with one more class photo and the flag.

One of the students showed me the bouzouki, the signature instrument of Greek music.

In the afternoon I went up to Agios Savvas monastery, with its fully painted dome…

…and the best view of Pothia.

At night, a toast, with a Greek evil eye hanging on the door.

Day 7 (Mar 18): museum, Vathy and music

In the morning, the Kalymnos Archaeological Museum, home of the Lady of Kalymnos, a bronze statue recovered from the sea.

The museum also holds ancient gold jewelry.

Then a drive east to Vathy, a narrow fjord at the end of a green valley.

Down below, fishing boats and turquoise water.

The valley is full of citrus orchards.

At night, live music at a taverna…

…and conversation until late with people I met on the island. That was the best part of the trip: the people.

Day 8 (Mar 19): goodbye, Kalymnos

A last breakfast and a walk along the harbor, full of tall ships.

From the ferry, Pothia grew smaller and smaller.

From Kos, the propeller plane back to Athens.

Day 9 (Mar 20): heading home

From Athens, above the clouds, the way home, with a head full of stories and new friends on both sides of the ocean.