Monday, July 28, 2008

Radovan at Lawrence Durrell's villa


We all stayed in Kalami on the island of Corfu, just across from the White House villa, as it is called where the British writer Lawrence Durrell (1912-1990) lived for several years and wrote Prospero's Cell. Neither I nor Radovan have read this book, but we did read his brother Gerald Durrell's entertaining account of the family's life on Corfu entitled My Family and Other Animals. That's the White House in the background. One day we drove into Corfu City, the island's largest town. It's a previously fortified city with a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, some too narrow for vehicular traffic. There is an attractive esplanade between the town and the citadel called "Liston," which is behind Radovan here, where upscale restaurants and European style bistros abound. The Liston was built by the French to resemble the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, but the name was given by the British, as during their rule only nobility could sit there and you needed to be "on a list" to stroll or be seated there. Radovan, being a village guy, was happy this is no longer a stipulation for visiting.

8 comments:

Kim said...

Bibi, This was such an interesting post and I learned so much. I wish I had more time for summer reading as "My Family & Other Animals sounds like something I would enjoy. How amazing to see an homage to Rue de Rivoli there. But for the lighting and lack of asphalt, I might have thought Radovan was in Paris!
-Kim
Seattle Daily Photo

Louis la Vache said...

hehehe
Tell Radovan that we "put him on the list" in spite of the snotty old Brits who posted that rule....

(Editor to "Louis:" Careful, "Louis," you're going to sound like an anglophobe.

"Louis" to Editor: For once, you might be right, Editor. Just once. Even a broken clock is right twice a day. In any case, anyone who knows me knows that I'm not an anglophobe...

Editor to "Louis:" OK, but everyone knows that you are une vache folle.

"Louis" to Editor: I am what I am... )

Marie Reed said...

Radovan does look quite stately!

Jane Hards Photography said...

I'm with Louis on the "snobby Brits." Another reason for me not to want to reside in the UK. Corfu I know so well. It is beautiful island, a boat ride To Albania another world. Gerald Durrell's works are hilarious and must be read. Thank you Radavon for showing me my beautiful Corfu.

Sarah said...

Nice place!

Chuck Pefley said...

Radovan looks like he's asking "should I really follow that woman"?

Sarah said...

BiBi,
The adress of my Mom blog is in my profile,but it has not started yet,We are goinig to do it after our trip to saudi arabia (Mecca).

Marie Reed said...

I ove your fortune cookie widget! I'll have to click on it every morning when I visit you:)

YANKEE IN NICE

 Edit: pastis is a licorice-flavored alcoholic drinksimilar to Greek ouzo. My favorite drink as it is for many people in this area. No more ...