A world of hidden beauty normally draws scuba divers into the sea. But for one diving instructor, suiting up has been a form of deliverance. Idylli Tsakiri Karatzaferi has the story of a man whose attitude to life is the biggest lesson his students learn.

Neoprene diving suits under the camouflage uniforms, air tanks with 95% oxygen that recycle the air so that no bubbles will give away their position, mines tied to their backs and gloves with cuts in the fingers for better feeling of the trigger. Something between dolphins and spidermen, the Greek Navy SEAL are getting ready for a training dive and they do not stop, not even for a moment, to smile and sing.

It is 11:00 a.m and I just got in the Greek Navy SEAL’s camp. The main building is decorated with pieces of diving equipment and parts of the walls are covered with camouflage ropes. In the administrator’s office, a large Greek flag stands in the wall, written… Continue reading →