This is a fairly archetypal village street scene in Crete. Lots of the older generation in the villages tend to spend part of the day in the summertime sitting in their porches or in the street and watching the world go by, or just contemplating things. The ladies in particular still often dress in the traditionally iconic all-black clothes, just as their predecessors have done for centuries, in keeping with the largely traditional way of life which has been preserved in Crete’s villages. The village of Lappa – where this photo was taken – dates back to around the second century BC, and legend has it was founded by the heroic (and notorious) Ancient Greek king Agamemnon. The modern village Argyroupolis, sited down the mountain from Lappa, is home to natural springs.
Digby Fullam 