It was love at first sight. . .and scent. No doubt about it.  I recall the moment as if it were yesterday.   I had arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii. My first solo trip. My introduction to the land of swaying palm trees, white sand beaches, and ocean waves.    Hawai'ian sunset Stepping from the Northwest Orient 747 aircraft I found myself in a tropical paradise. The air was thick and scented with the perfume of the island's blooms:  jasmine, tuberose, hibiscus, plumeria, and other exotics that I didn't recognize.  Hybiscus blooms in Hawaii Leis, t ..read more

The gathering on the morning of January 6th in our small Greek fishing village was much the same as it is every year on that date.   And maybe that is why I think it is one of my very favorite celebration days in this expat life of ours.   The Gathering 2025 The minute the bells rang out from our village church, the excitement began building among those of us gathered together. Even though we knew that a processional would be arriving from the church and what would happen at the harbor once it got there, the anticipation rippled through the crowd just as it has eve ..read more

On a chilly mid-December evening, the brightly lit boat across the harbor was a clear reminder that the festive season had arrived.  I say 'festive season' -- not Christmas -- because the illuminated boat was erected to honor the real Saint Nikolaos - not Santa.   Agios Nikolaos - patron saint of sailors Saint Nikolaos is the revered patron saint of sailors in Greece. For that reason, villages traditionally display a decorated boat to honor his December 6th birthday. Many keep the boat on display throughout the month making it the community's holiday centerpiece ..read more

For decades the area of Greece where we live - the Peloponnese Mani --may have been one of its best kept secrets.  Primitive roads that led over the towering Taygetos Mountains deterred even the most determined travelers. Taygetos Mountains a backdrop to the Mani Long-time locals tell of the hours it took to navigate that harrowing route between Athens and Kalamata.  The road to our slice of the Peloponnese Nowadays those heading our way -- either driving rental cars or riding a bus -- travel on a modern four-lane divided highway from Athens to our Kalamata in about ..read more

Sometimes even when you are an expat living in your chosen area of paradise, you need a getaway from the routine.  Even a brief change of scenery makes for a brighter attitude and a shot of energy. A Greek getaway less than two hours from home By the first week of November, a change of scenery from that to be had at our Stone House on the Hill in the Mani was definitely overdue:   We'd (knock-on-wood) gotten rid of the rat who had played havoc on our car's electrical system, we'd confirmed there would be no harvest of our shriveled olive crop, we'd cleared the dozens of ..read more

Our trip began with a cyberattack so we probably shouldn't have been surprised that it ended with Covid. Such was the start and end of our trip to America.  A trip that will go down in our travel memories as one of 'those' (roll of the eyes) trips. The kind that had a mind of its own and no amount of planning could have anticipated its unexpected twists and turns. Not this trip to Manson! Admittedly, the challenges could have been far worse. On the flip side, it could have been far more pleasant as well. We know that you travelers among us can probably relate to 'those' trips; t ..read more

As we watched the painters starting the second week of our three-day fence painting project, one of my favorite neighbors asked, 'Will you ever live here full time?' 'This probably isn't the best time to ask that question,' I responded. Not this year! This is a story about a fence. Our fence. In America. And it is about life in Greece and America. . .life in two very different worlds.  American world   We are expats, living most of the year in Greece and a bit of the year in America.  Agios Nikolaos In many ways our two worlds, Agios Nikolaos in Greec ..read more

Just when you become comfortable, maybe even complacent, change happens.  In June the government issued new requirements for Greek residency permits for third-country expats, like us.  The news was seismic in the expat community; as well could be the changes! The game rules have changed: time out! I liken it to changing the game rules once play has started. We are now on the field in the timeout period waiting for the referee to clarify the new rules of play so the game can begin again.  And we are wondering if we still qualify as players or if we'll be booted.Greek G ..read more

 The Dog Days of Summer came knocking at the door early this year!   And as a result, we are having a very long, very hot -- you might even say, a sweltering summer in Greece.  Dog Days came knocking early this year It is the kind of heat that had the ancient ones believing it could drive a person crazy. I am beginning to think I may prove them correct on that belief if it hangs around much longer. Dog Days of Summer There is nothing gentle about summer in Greece - it always arrives with a commanding presence. It never allows you to ease in gently but this ..read more

 Dwell in possibility!  I recall wanting to shout it from the rooftops. It was my mantra, my motto, my mojo for a time, that summer a decade ago.   The dream catcher journal of 2014 The phrase, 'Dwell in possibility' is excerpted from a poem by Emily Dickenson. It was imprinted on the journal cover I chose to record our adventures related to the purchase of The Stone House on the Hill in Greece; an adventure that was to take place in July 2014.   Had we not dared to dwell in possibility. . . Journal's opening, June 8, written in Kirkland ..read more