 | You’ve seen The Music Man, right? Remember when Buddy Hackett tried to get Robert Preston to date the Sunday school teacher? Robert Preston says no, thanks, because he doesn’t want a blushing breathless baby doll, he wants a more adult romance. That’s Corfu--sadder but wiser. |
Corfu, like a lot of Greece, has been ruled by the Romans, the Byzantines, various crusaders, the Venetians, the French, a combo Russian-Turk army, Napoleon, and the British. Then Corfu merged with Greece and got picked over by various Europeans in WWI and WWII. After WWII, tourists discovered Corfu and what little infrastructure it had was swamped.
Even among Greeks, Corfu is known as the island that can’t quite get it together. The garbage pickup is iffy and dumpsters tend to overflow. Some people still burn their trash. Corfu Town’s beautiful Venetian architecture has annoying street hawkers and pushy vendors. There are rumors about the mouse situation.
But, you know what? I don’t care. I love Corfu.
I love the dilapidated yet glamorous look of it. I love the food. I love the natural beauty. I love the friendly people (although, to be fair, all of Greece seems to be full of friendly people). I love how everything is cheap and the people are easy-going.
I also love it because I have an emotional attachment to Corfu due to my love of the book My Family and Other Animals, by Gerald Durrell. It’s the story of a British family’s move to Corfu in the 1930s. I read it to myself, I read it aloud to my children. Many times. Of course, Corfu is different now, since 80 years have passed. However, many things are still true--the Corfiots are kind and generous, there are interesting expats, the produce is delicious, the scenery is lovely, and the thick vegetation smells good. I’m going to go back. It’s the sadder but wiser Greek island for me.
Even among Greeks, Corfu is known as the island that can’t quite get it together. The garbage pickup is iffy and dumpsters tend to overflow. Some people still burn their trash. Corfu Town’s beautiful Venetian architecture has annoying street hawkers and pushy vendors. There are rumors about the mouse situation.
But, you know what? I don’t care. I love Corfu.
I love the dilapidated yet glamorous look of it. I love the food. I love the natural beauty. I love the friendly people (although, to be fair, all of Greece seems to be full of friendly people). I love how everything is cheap and the people are easy-going.
I also love it because I have an emotional attachment to Corfu due to my love of the book My Family and Other Animals, by Gerald Durrell. It’s the story of a British family’s move to Corfu in the 1930s. I read it to myself, I read it aloud to my children. Many times. Of course, Corfu is different now, since 80 years have passed. However, many things are still true--the Corfiots are kind and generous, there are interesting expats, the produce is delicious, the scenery is lovely, and the thick vegetation smells good. I’m going to go back. It’s the sadder but wiser Greek island for me.
Canal of Love (yes, that's it's name)
 Canal of Love |  Canal of Love |
 This guy welcomed us to our Airbnb |  Orange boat (not the Bootle Bumtrinket) |
I collected rocks
 The beach near our Airbnb |  View from our balcony |
A pink villa
 Abandoned house |  Another abandoned house |
 Cafe freddo (cold coffee) so good |  Senior citizens |
Corfu Town
 Corfu Town |  Corfu Town |
 Corfu Town |  Corfu Town |
 Seaside restaurant |  Ghost pier |
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