It Started With an Ouzo

by Stavros Allanopolis

Photo: The ‘Dream’ Home Waiting To Be Purchased.

  Once inside the house we found that it had a central room; an all-in-one lounge, dining and kitchen room. It was designed to have an open fireplace in one corner for burning olive tree wood and other logs! Leading off from this room, there was a storage cupboard, two bedrooms and a combination toilet, shower and utility room (it is common practice in Greece to have the washing machine in the shower room!).

  We stumbled, almost in a trance, from room to room as Vassilis explained the layout.

  PLUS …., and this is what we could not believe, there, leading off the ground floor terrace there was a curving stone stairway leading up to a ‘mini’ Mani Tower built into the structure of the house!

  Vassilis told us that at the top of the stairway there was another terrace and a self-contained studio apartment. He pointed out that, with its own exterior access, it was fully independent of the main house, and ideal for accommodating family and other visitors, if we so chose.

  So, we went up the steps to see the ‘mini tower’ studio apartment. It was just unreal.

  The view from the terrace up there was incredible. Since then, every day, we marvel at it!

  North and East to the rear were the Taygetos Mountains starting to rise up high just one kilometre behind us. To the South and front of us was the beach, in the little area known locally as Pantazi. We could see the trees that shade the rear of the beach but not see the sand. However we could see the see and hear the sea quite clearly as it was just 600 metres ahead of us! To the other side and West of our view, we could see the village of Agios Nikolaos and it was just about one kilometre away; easily walk able in under 15 minutes!

  Within the plan, the upper terrace and studio apartment was a new feature and it was truly awesome!

  Looking back at that moment, although we did not initially look or talk to each other for at least one full minute and maybe more, we had both experienced the same feeling; everything we wanted.

  So, there we were, with truly everything we wanted; single storey house, constructed in traditional stone and with some land for a garden to be developed. However, this was over and beyond the plan; this house was brand new – just waiting for us to turn it into our ‘Dream’ home. Then and there, we had both determined that it was going to become ‘ours’ and nothing was going to stand in our way!

  I believe in Fate and to this day, I believe that this house was destined to become ours!

  As Vassilis explained that the house was actually a ‘shell’ by design. The builder, Giannis, had stopped when the house was built, roof on with doors, window frames and shutters fitted; this was his style. Giannis always wanted the new owners to choose their own bathroom and kitchen fittings, floor tiles and colour schemes.

  We hardly heard as all we could think of right then and there was that this was definitely it!

  At this juncture, I should point out that we went on to become very good friends with Giannis who built ‘our’ house.

  Vassilis suggested that we look around it again on our own, and he retreated to sit on the wall to wait.

  Sometime later, he was to tell us that it was not his style to ‘sell’ a property to people, rather that the property should sell itself to prospective buyers.

  He recognised that these situations (buying abroad) were emotionally charged and that to influence them in any way sometimes did not work out too well in the years to come for those who act on impulse; often whilst on holiday. In situations like those they can be inclined to see things in a different way; maybe through ‘rose-coloured’ glasses?

  We found ourselves wandering around; in and out; up and down. We could not believe our eyes. It was perfect, it was very definitely ‘it’ and the studio apartment was an unexpected bonus. In a daze-like state, we went from room to room. Finally, we stood in front of the fireplace and just stared at it imagining the logs burning in the colder winter nights. We completed a ‘circuit’ of the house; maybe three or four times, just looking, before we went and sat next to Vassilis on the wall.

  Vassilis said, “I think that the Studio is perfect for your Mothers’ or other family visitors to stay.”

  “No way!” I retorted. “We have no plans to be a ‘cheap holiday location’ in any way, shape or form.” Time alone would answer this statement!

  In our minds, there was no doubt and no time for hesitation. But, hesitate we did!

  Here is the transcript of the following few minutes:

  Valerie: “Are you sure?”

  Stuart: “Yes!” Are you sure?

  Valerie: “Yes!”

  I turned to Vassilis and said, “We’ll think about it!”

  Were we crazy or what? Here it was. Our ‘Dream’ home and we wanted to think about it!

  He just shrugged and said, “OK, let me know when you know for sure, and if you do decide, I’ll need a 15% deposit.” And then he drove us back to the office in the harbour and we got our car and drove off to our apartment in stunned silence.

  Back at the apartment, we changed and went for a swim in the pool, and just swam back and forth looking at each other.

  After 10 minutes or so, I got out and I went up to our room, opened the fridge, took out a bottle of wine, collected the corkscrew and two glasses and went to the pool’s edge where Valerie was sitting dangling her feet in the water.

  Stuart: “Well?”

  Valerie: “We don’t want to be too hasty. Shall we think about it?”

  Stuart: “What if somebody else sees it and wants it?”

  Valerie: “That’s possible. There hasn’t been anything else like it for the two years we’ve been looking.”

  Stuart: “Why are we hesitating then?”

  Silence!

  Stuart: “Look, let’s do the checklist. Ok? First off it is single storey”

  Valerie: “Yes.”

  Stuart: “It is built in The Mani way in traditional stone”

  Valerie: “Yes. It has two bedrooms”

  Stuart: “Yes. It has an open fireplace”

  Valerie: “Yes. Although it wasn’t specified in the plan, but it does look good; quite cosy and romantic.”

  Stuart: “I agree. Also, it has a self-contained studio apartment built in the style of a ‘mini’ Mani Tower”

  Valerie: “Yes it has! Although that wasn’t in the plan, it does look good and the views are fantastic!”

  Stuart: “The grounds big enough to develop a flower and vegetable garden”

  Valerie: “Yes.”

  Stuart: “ ............ and 17 Olive trees!” –

  Valerie: “Yes.”

  Stuart: “So, .............. ? Look, let’s not rush it!”

  Silence followed as we had a sip or two of the wine and we stared into the swimming pool; dreaming of our ‘Dream.’

  Suddenly, I looked up at Valerie and said, “I’ve got an idea.”

  “What?” She replied.

  “As you know, I believe in fate and this is our ‘Dream’ house, of that I’m sure. So, let’s go see Vassilis and offer him 50 Euros as a ‘holding’ come ‘first refusal’ deposit for 24 hours. We’ll sleep on it, and if we both feel the same in the morning, we’ll buy it!”

  A hug and a kiss later and we were back in the car heading for the office to put our proposal to Vassilis.

  He agreed and we gave him a 50 Euro note, waved goodbye and headed across the harbour slipway.

  Once more, we went back to the original ‘Scene of the Crime’ to think, and maybe think about another celebration!

  “Parecello (Please, what do you want)?”

  We ordered our drinks.

  “Theo Ouzo (Two Ouzos), Eferesto (Thanks).”

  Here we were again, just staring at ‘life’ in Agios Nikolaos and dreaming that it could really be ours; we just had to say ‘yes.’

  Our drinks arrived and we sat there sipping in silence and just watching the locals go about their work and thinking that this could be our world too ............. And we were on the ver
ge of deciding to say ‘yes’ to the whole experience!

  The village is essentially a working community and has around 250 people earning a living from fishing, building and repairing houses, and growing olives for oil and eating which they sell to the local Cooperative.

  During the inevitable ‘Tourist Season’ that lasts from 1st July to 31st August, the population can rise to as much as 1,500.

  The holidaying visitors come from all over Europe, but many Greeks come from Athens just for a weekend.

  At four hour’s drive from Athens, it is within easy reach; away from the hot, noisy and dusty city. Everybody seems to come for the clear fresh air, the clean sea, the friendly people, and the wonderful food served by the tavernas situated along the harbour’s edge!

  Guide books describe Agios Nikolaos as the ‘real’ Greece and the photo of the tiny ‘U-shaped’ harbour features in many postcards and calendars.

  After a while I remember looking up and saying, “Another?”

  Valerie said, “It’s a big decision, but why not!”

  I replied, “What is big? The decision to buy another drink, or buying another lifestyle!”

  “Nikos, Paracello (Please, we would like something).”

  He strolled over to our table and we ordered our drinks.

  “Theo Ouzo (Two Ouzos), Eferesto (Thanks).”

  There ensued more silence. Then I said, “I take it that’s a ’yes’ then for the new lifestyle?”

  “Yes! It’s a ‘yes,’ so why are we waiting?” Valerie replied, “We don’t need to sleep on it until the morning, we both know that it just what we want; what we have dreamed of. Let’s go and buy it; now!”

  We finished our drinks and headed for the office to find Vassilis and to tell him that we had decided to buy the house, only to discover that the office was closed for the day and that he had gone home and that we would after all have to wait until the morning.

  Still we comforted ourselves with the thought that Vassilis seemed to be a very straight, honest and genuine businessman and that he would honour our ‘first refusal’ agreement. None the less, we were determined to be at the office before it opened!

  As it was such a sunny day, we decided to walk back to the house, ‘our’ house, to take another look. We walked ‘as the crow flies’ through the olive groves. Now that we knew where we were going, it was easy to find, and was just a gentle 12 minute stroll, and as we turned into the track, there ‘it’ stood; the focus of our nervous energy! After spending some more time having a good look around the garden and surrounding land, we set off back to the village. First stop, Aaggi’s bar on the waterfront for a glass of wine. The view from her deck is fabulous and the wine is good too!

  Photo: Wine On The Waterfront Terrace At Aaggi’s Bar

  We returned to the apartment, showered and dressed, and then we went to our favourite grill and bar to eat; Smokey Joe’s, which is located on a small street behind the harbour and serves the most amazing grilled Pork Chops and chips!

  Afterwards, we had a walk around the harbour to gaze at the fishing boats bobbing up and down in the water; seemingly just waiting to set out to sea again in the morning.

  We were just waiting for Vassilis' office to open in the morning to set out and secure our ‘Dream’ home and new life living in The Mani.

  “Kalimera!” We chimed in unison, “We’ve decided to buy Giannis’ house.”

  “Good,” he replied.

  “It is a good house and just right for you. I am sure you will be happy living in it.”

  “We have a small problem,” I say. “No, actually it is a big problem!”

  I explained to him about our ‘Exit the UK’ plan. I said, “We were not expecting to buy a house on this visit and we have no money for the deposit,”

  “Well, that is not a big problem for me. Do you have a credit card? Because if you do, we can run it through and charge the deposit as a purchase.”

  I never thought that I would utter the words of the TV advert “Thank goodness for Barclaycard!” But I did and it seemed like an eternity waiting for the international clearance of the transaction. It was such a relief when the machine beeped and the receipt was printed confirming the acceptance and transaction.

  This was our initial deposit; the house was ours! Well, not quite. Looking up from the credit card machine receipt, Vassilis said,

  “So, I will keep the 1,000 Euros for two weeks as a down payment on the house and, in the meantime, I will not show the house to anybody else. To secure the sale of the house to you, I will need the balance of the 15% deposit within those two weeks.

  But, before you can purchase the house, there are many things to be done.”

  He went on to say, “The two most important items are to register for Greek Tax numbers and to go and see the Notary to draw up an Agreement to Purchase.

  Also, if you are now sure and want to complete the purchase as quickly as possible and have Giannis finish the house, you will need to have a Lawyer draw up a Power of Attorney agreement to act on your behalf to save you travelling backwards and forwards from the UK”

  This ‘announcement’ was on the Saturday and we were due to catch our return flight on the following morning (Sunday).

  On hearing our predicament, Vassilis proudly proclaimed,

  “You don’t have to worry at all, as we can do all this for you tomorrow morning before you fly! I can make special arrangements for you to get your Greek Tax Numbers, Notary’s Draft Agreement to Purchase, and also to appoint a Solicitor as Power of Attorney, and all before you fly tomorrow morning.”

  “Wow!” This is too much.” As we looked at each other and I said, “Hey! We take all these months to make and research the ‘Exit the UK’ plan and we rush to complete it all in just three hours before we fly? No way! We’re staying longer – this is too important to rush through in just a few hours.

  We’ll see if we can change our travel arrangements and stay for a few more days. We’ll let you know later today”

  “Ok. I’ll see you later then.” Responded Vassilis.

  As we left his office, we had already decided to delay our departure and stay in Agios Nikolas for a few more days to complete the ‘Legal Bits’ in less of a rush. There was only one thing that we had to do; Change the fight!

  We were due to catch our charter flight home from Kalamata airport, which only operates on a Sunday as it is a military airport. Therefore, it meant that we would have to return to the UK via Athens, and find a flight from there on Wednesday if we could at such short notice.

  We were thinking probably to Heathrow or Gatwick, but, guess what? Good old EasyJet!

  We found two seats for a Wednesday evening flight from Athens and it flew direct to Luton. Although they were very expensive at such short notice, we booked two seats to return on the following Wednesday, in the certain knowledge that we had definitely done the right thing.

  What a decision! Some four days later than planned, we were going to be going back to the UK and ‘home’ but for how much longer would ‘home’ actually be ‘home?’ We had now found and purchased our ‘Dream’ home and, according to our ‘Exit the UK’ plan, we were right on schedule to leave within the 18 month timetable that we had set ourselves. The decision was made!

  We told Vassilis that we would extend our stay in order not to rush the process of all the legal bits, and just as importantly we would go with Giannis to the various suppliers to choose the fixtures and fittings in order for him to complete the house; our ‘Dream’ house. Wow! What a feeling! It was a venerable ‘pot pourri’ of excitement, fear, anticipation, expectation, joy and jubilation all rolled into one! So, there was only one thing to do:

  Go back to the ‘Scene of the Crime’ to celebrate and look at the plan to see what we had to do next!

  “Parecello (Please, what do you want)?”

  We ordered our drinks.

  “Theo Ouzo (Two Ouzos), Eferesto (Thanks).”

  Yes, we were back at our familiar
table.

  We now got a genial smile from Nikos, because now we were ‘regulars’ and soon to be ‘locals!’

  “So, we’re committed. Are you really sure?” I said.

  “It’s not too late to back out as it will only be, at worst, 1,000 Euros lost,” I continued.

  “No! I’m certain.” Valerie immediately replied. “We’re right on schedule with the ‘plan’ and we have exactly what we were dreaming of!

  “Cheers!” I said, or, should I say ‘Yammus!’” (Greek for ‘Cheers!’)

  We clinked glasses and uttered our toast, “Yammus!”

  Oh! The relief; the exultation!

  “Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” We cried out together.

  “OK, what’s the plan for the next few days?” Valerie enquired

  “Well I think that tomorrow, we will take our time and walk to and from the house and we will take 360° photos and we make a scale drawing. Also, we will measure everything and from every angle, and we will stand on the terrace again and enjoy the view.

  On Monday, we will go with Vassilis to the Tax Office, the Lawyer and the Notary to do the legal bits, and on Tuesday, we go with Giannis to choose all the fixtures and fittings.”

  Valerie smiled at me and said, “That seems like a good plan. And now, what shall we do next today?”

  I thought for a moment and then replied, “Well why not lets go and get Heather and show her just what she has encouraged us to do!”

  And we did just that, and after showing her around, we said to her “Hey, you coming to celebrate with us?”

  “Where?” She said?

  “Back to the ‘Scene of the Crime’ of course!”

  As we are heading to ‘our’ table, Nikos saw that we had Heather with us and he quickly squeezed in a third chair.

  “Parecello (Please, what do you want)?”

  We ordered our drinks.

  This time, “Tria Ouzo (three Ouzos), Eferesto (Thanks).”

  That Saturday night we went to Suella and Freddi’s taverna to celebrate. Over the previous two years, we had eaten here a lot of times and they knew us well. They are a charming, genuine and beautiful couple.