upon our return from Mexico, life in suburbia was much the same as we had left it.  With new jobs we hunkered down for a period of capital development. By this time we had discovered, and become devotees of Tattoo. As a graphic artist, with sculptural leanings, the idea of Tattoo was compelling. The possibility of combining creative craft with income gave me a strong motivation to pursue Derma-graphics. With coaching from contacts in San Francisco, then experiencing the New Tribalism Tattoo revival of the early 1980’s, I taught myself the basics. With graphics as my work, and peace work, as my avocation, my studies of art, history and political philosophy, led me to dreams of freedom, and a life of ART.

Tanya’s culinary training provided a connection with an instructor of Mediterranean cuisine who operated an exclusive cooking school; Kandra Kitchen Crete, on the Greek island of Crete.  We both had commercial kitchen experience and together applied for an apprenticeship. We were accepted, and prepared to travel to Europe as the staff.  This adventure began overland, traveling as passengers on the Green Tortoise bus line. We left  after dark  from an alley behind the San Francisco Transbay terminal, and some time after dawn, awoke at Pyramid Lake, where we soaked in a thermal spring dug out of the bank, and made pancakes on camp stoves. Four days later we were awakened by our dawn arrival in New York City. This overwhelming city held no allure for us, as after each subway trip, we emerged to a street with the same densely populated, tall and brooding cityscape it had been when we caught the train. The culture clash was even more dramatic as we flew to Athens via London the next morning , and slept off our jet lag on an overnight ferry to Crete.

Rendezvousing with our host at the main port, Iraklion, we traveled the coast to a tiny village; Koutouloufari, and our Bungalow. On our walks to the sea, and nearby villages, we often came across lone goats or sheep, tethered out for the day next to their patch of coarse forage, and spent a little time with them, indulging our mutual curiosity.   

PART 3                PART 1

        

  Pyramid Lake, Nevada.                                             Summer 1983

© 2012  Joshua Golden/Partners in time.                          LIFE AS ART      PART 3               MORE STORY