This is hypothetical:

- If I organized a meeting of photographers in Crete, along with excursions in the island, travels to other nearby places such as Athens and Santorini, maybe even get a couple of workshops going, would anyone come?

Sure thing! Crete is just down the road... Oh, wait a minute, I though you meant Crete, Nebraska. You know, about 80 miles from the geographic center of the US of A.


...sorry, I couldn't resist. To be honest, I envy those of you who live in an area brimming with history. About the oldest things we find around here are building remains and grave markers, few of which are over 150 years old. I would absolutely love to visit Crete, and if I ever do I will certainly let you know I am coming.

I could definitely be up for something like that. Cost dependent of course.

Things I have in mind are:

- When I lived in Boston a few years ago, roundtrip to Crete was 500-600 US dollars if you reserve them early.
- From London to Athens is about 150 euros, plus about the same with a plane to Crete, less by ship (which takes about 8-9 hours, from night to morning).
- I can get good and inexpensive hotel(s) inside the city of Iraklio, outside or in another city like Chania or Rethimno. I know a couple hotels around my town and even get some discounts.
- We can rent cars or minibus, or just take the bus.
- An uncle of mine owns a travel agency that can help.
- We can visit other cities in Crete with their Venetian, Byzantine, Ottoman and neoclassical and ugly modern architecture and villages
- There are beaches, rocks, tress, plateaus, high mountains, gorges, you name it!
- We can attend festivals depending on the season.
- We can do a day or two day trip to Santorini.
- We can also spend two or more days in Athens.
- I can get a well renowned Greek teacher of photography to have a lecture of greek photography or similar subject.
- I can get the media, including newspapers, local TV stations and maybe national TV to talk about our meeting and analog photography.
- I can set up a meeting with the mayor and city officials.
- We can have a demonstration of LF photography for the public and meet with local photographers.
- I can make sure you can buy film locally.
- You can even use my tiny darkroom if you are desperate!
- Visiting Crete is good all year-round, but late sprint to mid fall is better if you want to swim.
- Things can be pretty flexible if you will.

EDIT: I wouldn't do this for profit.

Sigh........ :(

Murray

Oh, dude, this sounds great. η Κρήτη είναι πολύ όμορφη. (Yeah, I used Babelfish... My blood is Greek, but I only know the Greek words that would probably get me into a bar fight.) It would be tough, but if I can come up with the time and the Euros, I'd love to go. It would have to be next year for me to even think about it. A little Ouzo, souvlakia, warm ocean breeze...

Drool........ :(

Murray

Ari,

I would be the first person to participate and it will be my pleasure to help in any way I can. I do have access to a smallish darkroom and believe I can arrange some things with the university, like space for lectures, as an example. Spreading the word in the kind of job that I do [graphic designer at a smallish place, but full of people every day and well connected to people who might be interested] would be easy too.

-Sino.