It’s all Greek to me…

It is no a very well hidden secret that Greeks are in general a jealous type. Being in the same group as the Italians and maybe the Spanish, we are considered to be quite passionate about our relationships which could also be interpreted as being ‘slightly’ possessive, controlling or over jealous…

I was thinking about this theory and how accurate it is. I started thinking about it yesterday while talking to a Greek friend of mine. I told him that ‘JJ’ will arrive around the same time as me in Greece and while I’ll be visiting my parents for some days, he will be having his own vacation in another Greek island. We are supposed to meet the same day in Rhodes when we’ll start our common holidays. He was a little bit amazed when I told him that. His first reaction was doubt and his second question was ‘do you trust him?’. I know for a fact that he is not the type of person being all negative, disbelieving or jealous when it comes to relationships, but according to Greek standards having separate vacations is not good.


To be total honest with you, when ‘JJ’ first told me that he will go on vacation before meeting in Rhodes, I was a little bit surprised. Don’t ask me exactly why. It’s not like I expected him to stay in London and feel miserable while I was having fun at my home town. It just didn’t occur to me that he’d like to go on his own to an island and relax. And it’s not a matter of trust. I don’t believe in this kind of control in a relationship. If someone was to be unfaithful, he will be no matter how close you keep an eye on. So, of course I didn’t mention anything to him and helped him book a nice hotel in Kos, by the sea.

I believe that for a relationship to flourish, both members should feel free, independent to develop their individual personalities with mutual trust and understanding. Of course my personality will be affected by my partner’s, but to a certain degree. I want to be ‘me’ and my partner to be ‘him’. For example, if he feels happy getting an awfully large hideous tattoo of a dodo on his arm, I can’ to be the one to forbid him from doing it.
I am allowed to say my opinion though, right?
If I express my opinion a few times in a civilised way I am not being bad. Am I?
(Thankfully that is not happening. I am just wondering what I would do)

Pride Weekend

I had a really nice time on Saturday watching the London Gay Pride. It wasn’t that different to be honest than the previous years, but it was a nice day out. The weather was amazing and the atmosphere quite cool. I went there with a female Greek straight friend who never watched the parade before and was very curious about it. She was quite amazed the number of people attending, the organisations and the military units marching.

‘JJ’ joined us just before the end. We passed by Soho which was amazingly packed. It was fun to watch but definitely not to stay to enjoy a drink. We left the crowds and we headed towards the Southbank to enjoy early dinner and wine at the benugo in BFI.

I know that I said in my previous post that I can’t see myself going out, but of course who am I to make a final decision. With ‘JJ’ working some friends called who I haven’t seen in ages and I joined them for drinks. We went around 23:30 to find a Soho full of drunken people and garbage all around. It wasn’t a very pretty sight, but it was expected after the number of the people being there during the day. We had some drinks in ‘the Yard’ and danced a bit at 'barcode' until early in the morning. It was quite nice. I hadn’t been out in ages.

Here are some pictures of the Parade:

The flag was everywhere

Who doesn't like looks and brains

They were there for some reason, I don't remember why

The Queens from the past

master and slaves

Angel and demon

The Frontrunners: gay running group

The gay Rubgy team

NHS

Who doesn't like them?

Men with uniforms

Things to come

I’ve been having a quiet week these days. Probably it’s because of the very tiring weekend, having a toll on me. I haven’t been sitting totally idle though. I’ve been planning things for the future.

Following my last year’s very successful 10k run for Cancer Research UK in Finsbury Park, I’ve decided to do the same this year. When I say successful, I don’t mean that I broke a personal record or anything but I did enjoy the atmosphere very much. So, I’ve registered again this year, to try to break my last year’s record and try to raise more money for them. Moreover, this year’s run will take place in a different Park which will be very nice to see. I respect ‘Cancer Research’s work very much and it’s always a pleasure trying to help them.


Leaving the dry land, I’ve registered again to do the first course in the swimming pool of the diving school. My housemate the last time we went, she couldn’t make it and I volunteered to go with her again. It’s a fun hour to spend underwater anyway and it might be beneficial. I’ve already registered to take the second part of the course end of July and go dive in the lake for the exams beginning of August. In the meantime, I’m still struggling to finish the open-water-diving manual. There are so many things mentioned there that I cannot completely remember because I lack the experience. They are based on things that probably most divers remember by heart because they’ve repeatedly done / checked them.


On the nearer future, it’s Pride weekend for London! So, most likely tomorrow I’m headed to see the parade in central London. Unfortunately ‘JJ’ is working which will make it a little difficult for him to join us for the day, but I hope he will come at least for a while. I don’t think I’ll follow the celebrations at night time. I like going to clubs from time to time, but I am not in the mood at the moment. Especially during this weekend, most gay clubs will have parties that will be far too crowded for my taste. Maybe I am just getting old. However, I plan to see the parade, go to Trafalgar Square to check if there is something interesting going on and probably wonder around Soho. I think that there will be some kind of street party going on with lots of people around so it would be fun to go.