Over the years, many have asked me “Why Greece?” Some try to discourage my enthusiasm and passion for Greece by saying, ”You are on vacation so of course it’s fabulous” or “there is more to see in the world besides Greece” and so forth.
Yes I am on vacation, but that’s not it. After living in England for a year, beautiful California for most of my life, unique travels in Switzerland, Paris, French country side, Belgium, Germany, Scotland, Mexico, Hawaii, Canada and many other wonderful places on the North American continent… and Europe, numerous times I might add….. “there is no place like Greece” (for ME). I have snored more peacefully on the windy deck of a crowded ferry crossing the Aegean than I have in a luxury 5 star hotel somewhere else. Of course there are other amazingly wonderful and historical places on this blue marble we call Earth (about 100 must see places according to National Geographic and Greece is one of them listed by the way) but Greece is MY Heaven on earth – just as perhaps somewhere else may be another’s Heaven on Earth.
This is not to discount the mind-boggling adventures during numerous travels elsewhere, for they were very adventurous and unique. I visited a friend in Switzerland over one Christmas. She lived with her father and brother in a 1 room home which sat strategically high up on a mountain side. Their Christmas tree had real candles, their beds were made of real fur up in a loft and they got their water from an outdoor water pump. One would think they were poor – but quite the contrary…they are the richest most happiest people I’ve ever met. When I turned to look at their view of the snow covered majestic Swiss Alps I literally fell down in awe unable to breathe. With a million dollar view embracing your home, who needs running water from a faucet? Memories like that abound and perhaps I should start another blog because I’m getting way off the track here. My point is, there are many travel adventures and experiences to be had in life, but this one is just about why I love Greece so much.
Instead of blogging about Greece a decade ago, I wrote letters about travel tips in response to numerous inquiries, or just wrote letters about Greece in general burning a hole in my keyboard with passionate enthusiasm. I submerged myself into the Greek community here in LA (film, dance, language classes) and began focusing more on the country itself, and my family instead of just what were the best hotels on Santorini. During my very first visit, I tried to reach the Acropolis through the confusing Plaka maze, but never made it because instead I enjoyed a coffee instead with an elderly lonely cafe’ owner. It is within those kinds of meaningful experiences that I remember and cherish the most. Oh and yes, the Acropolis was eventually seen (a must see) at a later time.
After spending time on 13 different islands over the years, numerous visits (never long enough) which consisted of explorations to other parts of Greece always requesting to family members to please take me where no tourists go, where no one speaks English, the hidden gems whether it be a hidden club in the Plaka to remote villages in the Peloponnesus mountain tops; I soak it all in with a gasp of amazement as it becomes even more of a woven thread in my being.
For now, these are all the words I can find to express the reason for “Why Greece” and they fall short to describing the blue heaven that it is. Just like the Grand Canyon; capturing its full essence in words or visual images simply can’t be done. Both places seem to elude the lens and the written word.
Glancing at all the endless blogs, photos and websites saturating the internet about Greece, it seems many feel the same way.
A rich beauty, profound history and a warm smile found in every hidden corner of the country, and most importantly, my family.
It is my heritage . It is my blue heaven.
That is Why-Greece
