People of Aegina #18 – Peter Michael Dedes
Peter Michael Dedes was born in England, but his heart belongs to Aegina! Our brand-new Ambassador and one of the many Aegina Lovers all around the globe unfolds in his own unique way all the reasons why he loves Aegina, talks about all the amazing places he considers as the hidden gems of our island and shares some amazing photos that will take your breath away! Thank you Peter Michael for the fantastic interview! Enjoy it!
© Peter Michael Dedes – Yours truly at a cafe on the waterfront (left), Lighting candles for my late mother, father and brother at Agios Nektarios (right)
Aegina for me is an animating vital life force of light, people and spirit.
My name is Peter Michael Dedes. I was born in England. My Grandfather and Father are from Aegina. My father left Aegina at an early age and lived and worked in Alexandria as an accountant and later as an auditor. I work as a Psychotherapist and as a Wellness Alchemist. My love is all things Aegina and I have a love of photography.
Aegina feels like home
I regularly visit at least once a year and have done so since my late Father brought me to Aegina over 20 years ago. I never see coming to Aegina as a vacation. It always feels like I have come home. My spirit flares every time I board the top deck of the boat (Agios Nektarios) at Piraeus in anticipation. And as the boat makes its 75 minute voyage on the crystal waters of the Aegean with the accompanying seagulls, my heart leaps for joy in anticipation of arrival at Aegina Port. I usually arrive at 9am in the morning and I usually meet George who furnishes me with a car rental to make my way to one of my favourite parts of the island which is Vagia. On arrival, it is usually very busy with people and transport leaving the boat as well as people on the quayside waiting to board for the mainland.
As I get into my rental I drive along the waterfront with the sun shining brightly and I see people at the taverna (ταβέρνα) drinking coffee (glykos or γλυκός) people watching, some in heavy debates, some playing backgammon. I love the drive as I pass Agios Nektarios where I always make a point of visiting as it is a special place for me. I regularly visited Agios Nektarios with my late Father. Every time I am there I stop and light some candles for my late Mother and Father who so loved Aegina. I then make my way to Vagia where I stay and is located in the northeast part of the island. The start of the island is beautiful as it is covered with pine forests and a rugged coastline as well as a beach.
Aegina is a narrator within my own story because of the place it has my heart and my ancestry.
Aegina: Hidden gems & varying landscapes to explore
With camera in hand I have explored most of the island although there are many parts left unexplored. Even though Aegina is a small island compared say Naxos, it has so many hidden gems which can be discovered by taking the time to explore and allow yourself to be in awe and wonder of the magical attributes of the varying landscapes Aegina has to offer, from its beautiful coastline to roaming in the Aegina hills to visiting picturesque small harbours with colourful fishing boats, to visiting ancient sites such as the Temple of Aphaia and Paliochora.
Aegina is a sacred place…
Aegina is in my DNA. It is in the marrow of my bones. It is in my blood. Aegina is a coherent and yet a chaotic space which allows me to reflect and make sense of my experiences in life. Aegina is a narrator within my own story because of the place it has my heart and my ancestry. Aegina enables me to shift my perception about the elements of the natural world. It is a sacred place, it is inclusive and interactive with the everyday, it is something held dear, something to be repeated, revered, treasured and protected. Aegina for me is an animating vital life force of light, people and spirit.
When I arrive to Aegina…
It is a direct sensory experience. It is the interaction with the environment. It is a primordial excitement. It reminds me how small and fragile I am as I travel across the Aegean and arrive at Aegina. But it makes me feel exquisite, because Aegina is exquisite. The changes in light, colour, patterns, textures. It is constantly moving. I always feel present.
There is no past, no future. Only now. It’s being in a place that is greater than me in many ways what with all of its history. I feel its history breathing on my neck. It’s sometimes difficult to explain the feelings. But I feel flashes of illumination, a feeling of unity, a sense of joy, bliss, peace, a transcendence of time and space and this is all bound up in the experiences of a sense of magic and the unknown and a humility in the face of Aegina’s history. It is a spiritual intimacy.
My favourite spots on the island
I love to wander in the hills of Aegina with no particular destination in sight. Just walk with no agenda except to be in awe and wonder of the magical properties of this island and to capture moments with my camera.
My heart is in Vagia. But I love the beautiful people and friends of Agia Marina which some my Father knew and now I am friends with, too. Eleonas, Agios Nektarios, Pachi Rachi, Paliochora, Marathonas and Plakakia are all places I love to go and have coffee and swim at Vagia, Agia Marina and Marathonas beaches.
My Aegina in 1 word
Unpretentious Simplicity.
I love Aegina because…
I love Aegina because it holds a special place in my heart and like a steadfast relationship she has held me through my ups and downs. I also love the pistachios, something Aegina is world famous for. If you are there in September make sure you get along to the Fistiki Fest.
A few words about weloveaegina.com
I love the design and all of the encompassing information in one place that enables people to find and forge the relevant connections to the island. What is important is that it’s a people or audience first which is what WeLoveAegina exemplifies to a high standard. Additionally giving people an opportunity and a platform to voice their experience of Aegina affords others to gain an inside view and feeling of the journey and experience of regular visitors and people who have decided to make Aegina their home. I would highly recommend WeLoveAegina to anyone who wants to explore, discover and connect to the many magical places that Aegina offers and I will promote WeLoveAegina to many of my UK & US clients.
Stay tuned for more #weloveaegina stories!
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