Gazing out over the seas of the Caldera of Santorini are 3 donkeys part of the herd of a hundred or so that these days carry tourists up and down the 600 steps between Santorini’s old port nearly 1000 feet below the main town of Fira.
Up to 1979 the donkeys were the only way for tourists to get down to the port but that year a new cable car service was started providing a faster and less worrisome method of making the trip! Today, the cable car company contributes part of its earnings towards the upkeep and health care of the donkeys.
In years gone by the donkeys were also the only method of getting all the supplies up from the port to the town.
When I stayed on Santorini 10 years ago, on a walk around Oia, I saw the donkeys used to collect trash. I sincerely wish they’d adopt the practice where I live. I’d so much rather wake to the sound of hooves than the crash and roar of garbage trucks.
Mac, I think your photo is using a tricky angle. I believe there’s a small television in front of those 3 donkeys that you’ve cleverly concealed. Everyone loves World Cup football, even these three!
Honestly when I first saw that image it looked to me like they were watching something small near the ground and a television was the first thing that popped into my mind!