I have to explain something about me and birthdays. The first thing I want to say is that I love the idea of birthdays, of having one day a year where it’s your day, where friends and family and retail businesses acknowledge: “Hey, we’re glad you’re alive and with us. Here’s a discount code.” And obviously, it’s … Continue reading My Birthday on Thassos
For me, and–dare I say–for many others, 2016 was a year of change. I once saw something that appealed to the word nerd in me. It said, “You must go through challenge to find change.” Maybe some of us have already made it through the middle (or the “lle”) of our challenge, or maybe it’s … Continue reading Top 16 of 2016
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
I feel I owe everyone who was forced to listen to me chant, “Thirty on Thasos, Thirty on Thasos!” for ten months the story of how the big day went. It was my landmark birthday. The crossing over into the next decade. The fulfillment of my cleverly coined phrase! But underneath the alliteration there is important question to be … Continue reading Thirty on 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 … Continue reading Effects of Thasos
They Call Me Fushilou 