Being thousands of miles from home for five weeks, in a foreign country with people you’ve just met are conditions that will make anyone homesick…even if some of us will not admit it. Since coming to Greece I think we all have been looking for some familiarity to make us feel a little more comfortable in our new setting. Whether that is the occasional Starbucks, Fridays, or even the Hard Rock Café there is something comforting it them all.
Here in Crete we have been introduced to an entirely different culture and way of life than we experienced in Athens. And it is here in the beautiful island of Crete (the largest island in Greece) where we have found ourselves experiencing a little southern hospitality Grecian Style.
Next to our villas is a quaint little restaurant that looks no different than the others around it, but inside we found something we did not expect. A beautiful woman named Katie and her husband Kostas who welcomed us to their restaurant with open arms. After only minutes we all felt as if we’ve known Katie our entire lives. As she proceeded to bring us free appetizers and suggesting her favorite items on the menu, she attempted to learn all of our names at the table. Four nights later we returned to the restaurant to visit our new friend who hugged and kissed each of us like we were her own children saying, “Can you tell I miss my daughter?! I wish she could be here to meet all of you too!” Katie insisted that before we all leave we must exchange contact information so we can stay in touch in case we ever want to come back to Crete.
Katie is just one of the many incredible people we have been so lucky to meet since coming to the island of Crete and the stunning country of Greece. The hospitality we have received since coming here is no different than that of the good ole’ Southern United States. It is this friendliness and kindness that makes us all feel like we are much closer to home than we really are. The personable people such as Katie and the stories and experiences she is providing us with are helping to make our stay in Crete one of the most pleasurable experiences of my life.
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