Three weeks ago today, I left my beloved Thassos island to return to America. The day I left Aliki, it was so early it was still dark. Looking back from the ferry, Thassos was just a silhouette, and my thoughts drifted back to June 1st, the day I first boarded it en route to Thassos. I … Continue reading Thassos in Flames
I must say, as August 23rd approached, I was not looking forward to leaving Greece. I’d been hoping to stay for at least six months, and as my 90th day approached, I was afraid to transition back to real life because, as Tassos said, “It’ll be like you dropped down from outer space.” I remember when I returned from my … Continue reading Transition
Today is Wednesday. At Archodissa, that has a special meaning. It means there’s Live Music from 9pm until 1 a.m. It means there will be dancing and napkins and champagne. It means it’s Greek Night. To attend Greek Night is an unforgettable experience. The small patio is transformed to accommodate 150 customers, tables moved from … Continue reading Greek Night
It felt more like three days, in the same sense that Jesus died and rose in three days, departing on Friday evening and returning on Sunday morning*. But it was really one day spent away. *death is not exactly a vacation, but try to follow the logic I was a somewhat unwilling candidate to leave Thassos. I’ve been … Continue reading Kavala for a Day
The Donkey Bridge Otherwise titled: Something That Isn’t Depressing I realize my last few blogs have been a touch on the melancholic side, and I suppose that’s because nothing is funny when you know you have to leave Thassos. Even thinking about the possibility of leaving makes a person stare deep into the distant nothing … Continue reading The Donkey Bridge
Two months ago from yesterday, I arrived in Greece. My two-month anniversary. It seems to only be these special occasions that shake me awake and remind me time is real and it is passing: the day the workshop started, the day the workshop ended, my 30th birthday, my two month anniversary. And today, I … Continue reading Two Month Anniversary
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 … Continue reading Arrival to Thassos (Part 1)
Given my multiple blogs on the topic of chewing gum (STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, COME BACK!), I had to share this video. Spoiler alert: there’s a benefit to chewing gum. It’s like I KNEW it; it wasn’t just an obsessive, addictive, unbreakable oral fixation. I am ahead of the game, people. (If only I’d known this in elementary … Continue reading This Is Why You Should Chew Gum
On any other day of the year, I would have something very different to say about the topic of “looooove,” and it would probably be jaded and sarcastic because that’s my general attitude towards romance*. * But today is special! Forty-three years ago today, on March 7th, two people whom I looooove very … Continue reading Let’s Talk About Love
Something I learned this morning: Just as there is no greater motivator for productivity than a deadline, there is no greater push for walking speed than frigid temperatures. It was so bitterly cold this morning, I felt like my face might fall off. I’ve never walked to my office from the bus stop with … Continue reading Haggis for Everyone! A tribute to Scotland.
