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Effects of Thasos

On Tuesday, my writing workshop left Thasos. They boarded the bus to Limenas, where they would catch the ferry to Keramoti, and then continue north to Thessaloniki. They left amid hugs and tears, smiles and sadness. And I couldn’t stop thinking: wasn’t it only yesterday I wrote about their arrival? Have four weeks really gone…
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The Greek Table

I met Vasilis during my pre-workshop days at Archodissa. He is one of Tassos of Thassos’ best friends. They grew up in Theologos together, and he was the person who “bapticide” Tassos’ son, which means he was made the godfather. Vasilis’ voice is deep and rasps, almost as if he needs to clear his throat…
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My German Parea

Today my writing workshop will arrive to Thassos: seventeen participants and ten teachers/advisors. We will fill Archodissa with bustling activity, old friends reuniting and new friends meeting for the first time. The quiet mornings I have right now, where I sit alone on the patio typing while Dimitri sets up tables and Kyria Eva prepares…
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Arrival to Thassos (Part 2)

(Click here for Part 1) So. The difficult part of my journey. It was compounded by the fact that I ran out of credit on my Greek phone, and while I could use the internet, my battery was dying. Most of the planning of this adventure took place en route, changing as I went, which…
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Arrival to Thassos (Part 1)

Thassos is the island where I fell in love with Greece. I hadn’t planned to arrive until the writing workshop starts on June 9th, along with the rest of the cohort, but the Siren Song was strong. I could feel it calling me. Come back. Come home. One of my favorite books growing up was…
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“Kouvendes” on Naxos

I only spent three full days on Naxos, but I can already tell you about Yiannis, the advocate of Ammos restaurant, always boasting of their excellent seafood and small menu. He greeted me every day with, “Hello, Lady” as an answer to my, “Yia sas.” His resilient smile won me over for my last supper—well,…
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Return to Greece

I thought this day would never come. I sit here writing on the ferry from Athens to Naxos, having returned, finally, to the country that changed my life. Eleven months ago when I returned from Greece, I felt like part of me was missing. It was if a piece of my soul remained on the…
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A Blog While Waiting at the Airport

Sorry for my blogging absence. I considered writing a belated Valentine’s Day blog (I’ve never not blogged about Valentine’s Day), but who wants to read a story about a holiday that everyone hates over a month after it happened? Not even me. So instead, I’m publishing a terrible blog about nothing for the sole purpose…
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Top 15 Quotes of 2015

Welcome to 2016! I’m sorry for my delay in posting a New Year’s themed blog. I’d actually written another blog, The Top 15 Dating Stories of 2015, but as you can probably imagine, that took a downward spiral real quick. I’d created the list, mostly out of spite, after someone who’s had nine serious relationships* in the…
