by Giota Florou.
Early October and the weather still reminds us of summer. Despite the fatigue of the week, I’m always thinking about the best way to “take advantage” of a free Sunday. A good idea would be a one-day trip. Usually for the one-day trips I prefer the … “ready-made” ones, the ones offered by travel agencies. This time, however, I thought differently. More specifically, I thought I would “take advantage” of the bus services to destinations relatively close to Athens, that is, less than three and a half hours away.
I already had in mind the city I would like to visit. It was Kalamata! It would not be the first time I would go, but since I discovered Kalamata I can say that I have “fallen in love” with it and I never miss an opportunity to visit it. It has everything for a first-class escape: a vast and clean sea with a view of Taygetos that you don’t feel threatened but rather “embraces” you, a dreamy coastal road, Navarino Street, with a variety of choices for coffee and food, a modern city with all the comforts and the old town which reminds you of… an island!
From the bus station, within a few minutes I found myself in the narrow streets of the old town, enjoying the Sunday silence.
Checking on the internet the bus routes to the capital of Messinia, I can say that I was excited as buses from Athens start early in the morning (from 7 am) while from Kalamata the last route leaves relatively late in the evening. I decided to leave on the first morning bus (luckily I’m a fan of very early wake-ups!). Within about 3 hours and 15 minutes I would be at my destination and could seize the day. And so it was. The trip was pleasant and despite the difficult conditions due to the pandemic I did not feel threatened even for a moment as the security measures were fully respected.
As soon as I arrived in Kalamata the first thing I thought of was to go to the sea, as the weather was still good for swimming. However, this time I decided not to take the public transport that “parks” directly opposite the bus station, but to walk. This way I could see typical parts of the city, some I had seen before and others I would discover for the first time.
From the bus station, within a few minutes I found myself in the narrow streets of the old town, enjoying the Sunday silence. From afar I saw the Metropolitan Church of the Assumption and my footsteps led me there to light a candle to Her grace. Then, passing by the picturesque 23rd of March square, I found myself on Stadiou Street to visit for the first time the museum that houses the Collection of Greek Costumes of Victoria Karelia. In a wonderful space I “travelled” to Greece’s past, admiring costumes from all over the country. I left thrilled and from inside I said that from now on I will highly recommend this museum to my friends and acquaintances! Then I found myself in the commercial street of Kalamata, Aristomenes Street, which, unlike on weekdays, was not crowded because of the closed shops.
Walking along Aristomenes I passed by the “heart” of the city, the bustling King George Square, with its many cafes. At the end of the street I didn’t miss the opportunity to enter another museum, this time outdoor, the Municipal Railway Park. There I sat for a while in the greenery to catch my breath and then I walked through the park while admiring the old train cars that are all over the park. I knew that if I got to the end of the park, the sea would only be a five minute walk away so I literally… ran in its direction because I really needed to cool off!
The rest of the day was relaxed. After a swim in the sea, it was time to eat at one of the many restaurants on Navarino Street and then it was time for a ride in the wonderful cycling city.
Before I knew it, the time had passed and I had to make my way back. This time I decided to wait at the local bus stop to go to the KTEL station where I was going to take the second to last bus to Athens.
Darkness had begun to fall when I boarded the bus and a few hours later we were on the highway. Looking out the window I thought with a smile of the beautiful moments I had experienced in just one day and promised myself to repeat it!
