Fine Art

The rest of the tour went pretty decently I’d say. In spite of the lateness of the afternoon we were able to take a helpful glance at some of the more crucial places around the island.

Obviously Jodi couldn’t take us out to the farms or anything else outside of the village without a bus, which actually cost money to rent or reserve a seat. Still, for a free experience we learned quite a lot for our personal quest.

I even managed to convince Aaron that a visit to the pirate cave museum was simply a must include to the documentary since it’s such a huge piece of the island’s history, it would be simply criminal to not feature it.

Certainly has nothing to do with the fact that I really wanted to visit this museum and I would feel bad using our limited funds to go on my own as a personal venture. Nope, not at all.

Jodi concluded the tour by taking us to a bustling market place full of shops and tented stands full of goods. It was perfect timing, too, because my stomach was starting to get ravenous for food.

"I always like to end the tour here in our humble shopping district so everyone can browse around. Now, are there any questions you have that I might be able to answer before we part ways?”

“I do.” I said as I raised my hand to politely direct her attention to me.

“Yes, sir?”

“We’ve passed quite a few restaurants along the tour and they all look really nice… But which ones would you suggest with a limited time to spend?”

“Of course you’d ask about food…” Aaron muttered under his breath.

“Ah, a very good question indeed! It’s true we have a lot of terrific places to eat but it really all depends on what you’re looking for. If it’s my personal opinion you want… I love to go to the Margaritari by the West Dock at least once a week. They have the best surf ‘n turf dishes and a nicely stocked bar, and the local band plays there on occasion.”

My stomach nearly roared when I heard surf n’ turf, and one glance at Aaron showed he was down to go there for dinner as well.

“And also if this is your first night here, I highly recommend you linger outside when the sun goes down. You won’t be disappointed, I promise.”

I think I already had an idea of what she was hinting at but I was still going to take her for her word. Sundown was really close now anyway, so my hunger could wait just a little longer.

“Well then, I thank you all for spending some of your precious time with me, I truly hope you all make the most of the time you have while you’re here.” Jodi bid farewell and then left us to disperse amongst the crowds.

“So what do you think…? Browse around til sundown then we go grab something to eat?” Aaron asked me.

“Read my mind.” I responded with a nod.

We walked around and took in what the stores had to offer. While some were crudely made stalls that tucked themselves into nooks and crannies of the street, others were almost like something out of a mall with designer-looking clothes or pieces of art. Then of course you had the typical tourist shops that gave away cheesy things like shirts that said "I Love Cyrenádos" on it.

In fact it was right next to one of those very shops where something peculiar caught my eye. I instantly recognized them as the little figurines my mother mentioned wanting based on their exaggerated proportions and cartoonish appearance.

The tiny woman figure was posed sensually on a seashell encrusted base with one arm lifted behind her head and the other blowing a kiss, with just a bit of paint to accentuate her features. I wasn't expecting to find them on the very first day, but I couldn't think of a better time than the present to grab one before I forgot to do so later on.

“Hold up a second, I’m going to go buy something really quick.” I informed my friend.

“Sure thing, I’m gonna check this one out over here.” Aaron said while jabbing his thumb towards another tented shop two stalls down.

I approached the stand and gave an acknowledging smile to the older woman behind the counter, who returned it somewhat. The table had a couple other pieces of art besides the Aphrodite figurine, including a statue of a horse’s upper body with a curled fish tail and some elaborately painted pottery.

"Do you make all this yourself?" I asked while gesturing to the goods, but the vendor shook her head.

"Not me. Every one hand sculpted and painted by Leira." She explained in a thick accent, pointing behind her shoulder towards the back of the stall.

I nodded before asking her how much for the statue I wanted. I was genuinely surprised at how cheap they were, seeing as they charge a whole lot more for less quality crap at the local hobby store in the States than what these people were asking for something hand crafted and well made.

"Well please be sure to tell her she has some real talent." I requested while fishing out my wallet.

"Thank you very much, that means quite a lot." Another voice spoke, this one softer and easier to understand.

I looked to my left and saw a very attractive woman with dark hair pulled up in a messy ponytail, dressed in overalls that were covered in splotches of white clay and paint – some of which appeared fresh. She was holding two more of the little Aphrodite statues, and I quickly realized she must be the artist in question; Leira.

She even had a smudge of clay on her cheek… how cute.

"Especially since it's coming from a man, most of my art seems to only call to ladies." Leira added with a small smile. She appeared to be studying me as her warm brown eyes swept over my face before not so subtly drifting down my person.

I dare not assume she was checking me out.

"It's for my mother, actually." I told her honestly. Though my comment from before still stands that I did find her talented.

Her smile brightened some at hearing me say that.

"Well then here; please take this one instead. Personally, I think it's my best one yet." Leira insisted as she put one of the statues next to the rest on the stand, then she offered the other to me.

I didn’t personally notice a huge difference but an artist can always find some flaw in their own art, I certainly would know. Still it was a nice gesture of her to want to give me the best looking one.

I reached out to take it from her and she gently laid it into my palm with one hand, while her other cupped the back of my hand to make sure I supported the weighted object properly. Her touch lingered for several seconds, even after I had a firm grip on the statue.

I felt a bit of heat in my cheeks all of a sudden, despite being shaded. Was I getting sunburn?

"Erm… Thank you." I said as I awkwardly pulled my hand away. I fumbled with the thing and my wallet for a second before just setting it down on the counter.

“So how is your vacation so far?” Leira asked politely, noticeably lingering in the limited space of the stall.

"Uh, not technically a vacation, really… I’m here on a personal business venture, you could say. We just arrived here today, actually. So far so good, I guess." I responded as I gave the older woman the money for the statue, who was glancing back and forth at our interaction.

"We…?" Leira parroted curiously.

"My friend Aaron…" I said, turning to point him out.

… Only to quickly realize I had been left behind. He was not where he said he’d be.

I swiveled my head left and right, but while there were plenty of ugly bucket hats to be found all around me none of them belonged to my idiot of a so-called best friend.

I swear, if this is another one of his attempts to get me to talk to a girl… Well, let's just say I might have to take over the rest of this documentary going solo.

"… Who appears to have gotten lost somewhere?" I finished lamely, sighing as I rubbed my temples.

Leira let out a soft giggle at my predicament, and as cute as it sounded it only succeeded in further making me feel like a fool.

Damn you, Aaron.

"It's alright; you can wait here for him if you want. I'm sure he'll come back for you, I could even stay out and keep you company until he does?"

"Leira…" The older woman said sternly before speaking more to her in Greek.

Leira looked back at her with a frown, and I took that as an opportunity to make my exit stage left. I didn’t want to cause discourse among anyone, and I certainly didn’t want to get her into any trouble if this was her employer or mother.

"Look it’s fine, he can’t have gotten far – thanks again for the sculpture. I'll be sure to tell my mother I got a chance to meet the nice artist who made it and how she personally gave me the best one." I said while backing away a few steps.

Leira quickly turned back and smiled sweetly at me.

"I hope to see you again, maybe…?" She trailed off, looking to me expectantly.

I didn't answer her. I didn't know how to.

I wasn't one to make false promises if I could help it, and I had to remind myself that I was here to work not play around. She was a potential distraction that I didn’t need, and besides, who was to say we'd actually cross paths again anyway?

But instead I just found myself saying, “Maybe we will, you never know.”

Thankfully some other people wandered in between us while trying to peruse the stand, giving me the opening to walk away to try and hunt down Aaron.

It was only after I had walked around the corner – keeping an eye out for the worst wing man in history – when I realized that she had been trying to ask my name at the end there. And I didn’t give it.

“Smooth job, moron…” I mumbled to myself, pausing in my stride. Parts of me was tempted to go back and try to amend my idiocy but the larger and more stubborn part just told me to let it go.

After all; when in doubt – cower out.