Rhythms

Ever notice your own heart beating?

My uncle couldn't make it to his car from the house in the village. He's currently in the hospital waiting to have his pacemaker replaced. His daily rhythm was interrupted by his physical one. He passes time by completing crossword puzzles. Ever get a rush from unlocking that key word in a crossword? The one word that puts a spark in your brain setting off the rest? I delight on such a moment, so much so that I tune out nearly everything else.

Ever sit silently somewhere and just listen?

Bus doors slam open just after brakes scream. Cars rev out of first and into second shortly after lights turn green. A yiayia's gait is measured by the turn of the wheels on her shopping cart rolling behind her. Papous conversations are punctuated by the click-clack-click of a komboloi.

Ever notice the beach has it's own rhythm?

Waves hit the shore. Pickleball paddles talk to each other. Pop! Pop! Back. And forth. Foreigners try to sell you things. "Ne-rooow parka-looow. Ne-rooow parka-looow." "Mah-saz?" (Up on "Mah," down on "saz.") "Mah-saz?" It's The squeal of small children as they run in and out of the sea.

Ever consider your own rhythm?

My rhythm isn't so fine or granular. It starts with morning coffee on the veranda overlooking a sea (of cars) while contemplating the shape of the day. It'll include some writing and thinking. A midday "volta" allows me time to enjoy the sights, sun, or company of a relative--best case brings all three. A nap is ideal but not a given. An evening outing is always welcome. Remains of my day are weighed on the veranda, car-spotting, while enjoying the twinkling lights of Piraeus in the distance, the smell of salt water, and the moon overhead. It's reading myself to sleep.

My rhythm at home is very different from the one here (lack of a veranda is just the hors d'oeuvre). I'm just now beginning to see how my rhythm affects my mood. I like knowing that a pattern to my day makes it richer. And I like how I am coming to realize that getting back into my desired rhythm, regardless of locale, might be easier than I thought. Probably because now I'm aware of it.

Though that veranda sure does help.

I No Longer Mind Weird Looks at the Grocer

Ladies who visited in '04, this one's for you!!

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled across this incentive: purchase coffee and get a sleeve of Oreo's for free! (BTW Oreo's are pronounced oh-REH-oss, like the Greek word ωραίο, for good/beautiful.) Πως μ'αρεσει να ξοδεβω τα λεφτά μου στην αγορά! Αφήστε με παρακαλώ!

Free gifts are commonly found in supermarkets here. Buy 5 cans of Coke, and get the 6th free!! But the coup of all such purchases was in 2004. Somewhere, Kendra has a photo of me making my way home with a case of Alfa beer--and a free backgammon board! Now if I could just find a suitable opponent....

"Το Φεγγάρι Κάνει Βόλτα..."

GeoTagged, [N37.92857, W23.68835]

The moon is full. So full in fact and so wonderfully bright that I can make out the horizon with no difficulty. Tonight's evening breeze swept away any clouds. I marvel at the clarity of Aegina's twinkling lights across the way. I sip Drambuie as I delight in this moment.

My dear cousin Vicky came down from the north end to meet up for dinner. I smile in anticipation of seeing her, because I know we are always going to have a good time. Tonight it was just the two of us. Αγκαζε, we checked out the marina. The boats--yachts rather--rocked gently in the bay. We wondered who can afford such extravagancies in a time of crisis. After touring our options, we settled on an Italian place.

Antonio seated us. And soon thereafter he joined us with his own seat, getting up from time to time to help other customers. He learned our names though he was partial to Vicky's ("Vicky, how is everything?" "Vicky, where do you work?" or "Vicky, don't go, I'll be right back..."). Vicky learned that he is from Torino. I learned that I could leave whenever I wanted.

What's wonderful about being here is the connection I feel to the people I know. Though there are many other great reasons, this is the lure that hooks. I saw this connection so many times over in the relationships my mom has, and now I am beginning to see it for myself. Vicky is good for me and to me because she listens, asks, and encourages in the absence of judgment. She helps keep me accountable to what I say I want for myself. And we laugh. This is what makes this relationship so special. Because for me, when we met as adults in 2000, we started as family and have since become close friends. As I become closer with other family members here, I delight in knowing what lies ahead: a friendship borne of blood and matured by will.

More to come...

Panic at the Parko

GeoTagged, [N37.92758, W23.68950]

One of my favorite things to do is to have coffee on the veranda. The world goes by. I get to search for cars I like or look for ferries coming into Piraeus. Sometimes I'll spot a sailboat changing tack. It's a delight. And on nice days that also fall on a weekend, it's downright entertaining.

Everybody comes to the "paralia" or seaside. Families come from all over. Across the way from us is a huge park that has lots of play areas for kids, an outdoor cinema, and is close to a newly updated marina that has cafes and shops. Oh sure it's fun when you're in there but for me, I just love watching the people try to park.

All over Athens, and in other major cities, are posts that have been placed along the sidewalk so cars don't park on the sidewalk. During the week down here, this law is followed. But on weekends, mass mentality sets in and they all park--not on the sidewalk--but on a very busy thoroughfare. Taxis continue to stop wherever they want, buses cannot access those who wait for them, and traffic builds quickly. Honking ensues.

This year, however, Greece is in a crisis. The change I've seen is that these illegally parked cars are now getting ticketed. You'll kindly notice in the above photo a double parked car on the far side on the truck. That car belongs to the police. While one officer writes tickets, the other one is just waiting in that car. Ahh, Greece, the more you change, the more you truly stay the same.

More to come...

When You Face the Sun, You Can't See Shadows

My goodness is there something to be said for basking in the sunlight. And I mean basking in it. I don't mean sunbathing (though I did get a little bit of that in too), but I mean basking in it. Just letting the goodness of that bright yellow orb wash over me was a luxury (hoping I can get more in for my Seattle peeps!). It does wonders to boost mood and spirit. Sunny places have typically friendlier residents and better music. And after seeing this old friend again, I am reminded why.

Though it's a bit early in the year to take a dip in the sea, others ventured. I simply sat. I watched the boats. I said no thank you to the peddlers (ability to buy nail polish on the beach was a first). I thought, "Really?" as the 65 yo man, flip phone tucked in his speedo, gazed longingly at the single women lying nearby. An Adonis did pull ups and then laps along the shore (he wasn't that attractive, but I'd bet a euro his name was really Adonis. Just yesterday, I was served by Orestes, and at Easter I met a five year old Aphrodite.). It's the rhythm of beach life that I love so much. It's as predictable as the sound of the waves washing ashore. And no matter where I go, there I am, so I might as well enjoy it.

When It Rains, It Pours.

(Seriously. Take a close look at that photo.)

In physics, momentum is mass multiplied by velocity. Velocity is speed with direction. These are important concepts for me right now. I have gradually been building momentum on the work I've been doing on myself. And when I stop to assess where I am, I find the direction has shifted. I see there are more things to unearth. This pleases me. Actually this excites me. As momentum builds I have more to learn and more to explore. (Do me a favor and read the title if this entry again, just to sum up really.)

I would like to give am early Mothers' Day shout out to my mom, who couldn't be any more supportive of me as I try to pave my way. She truly is one in 6 billion.

More to come...

Mediterranean Diet

Though the label above says " Daily Drink," I think what is essential to the Mediterranean Diet is pace. There is a wonderful pace that comes here (the exception to this rule is waiting for the bus). And it doesn't include eating at your desk.

Enjoying ouzo in the afternoon while coming out of nap and transitioning into evening is a treat. Here it's made all the more enjoyable by the accompaniments, like the sun, lightly seasoned fresh octopus, and of course the company.

Today I took a walk above the beach. Today was the first day where I could smell seasalt. And today I realized the importance of pace in my life--how important it is to carve out time to do what one wants, including loving the one you're with and not looking at your phone for a better offer. So if you find that I say no a bit more often when I return, you'll know why. But don't fret. I'll be happy to talk it over with you. Come to me and I'll have the ouzo waiting.