Of course I have no memory of this, since my (strict) Greek father could never understand why one would want to go to another family’s house to sleep. But I digress…

So, when my sister suggested a sleepover last weekend, I jumped at it. Our sleepover was to include an afternoon in the city centre, a taverna nearby, a movie – and my 11month old nephew.

I must say, walking around Athens with a cute, blondish baby boy is good for the ego. My ego. The glances, the smiles, the ‘oooohs’ and ‘aaaaahs’ and looks of adoration (I’m assuming a lot, I know), made me reconsider my ‘no-child policy’. I mean, I never realized how much attention one cute kid could bring!

I also never realized that mothers and fathers (and pseudo-parents) really ‘check out’ each other – constantly. As in, is that guy as stressed as I am? Do I look older than him? Why is he carrying the kid that way? Is it obvious I don’t know what I’m doing?

Our sleepover was great fun. Laughing and playing and the odd bump on the head… The best part was waking up to my nephew sitting beside me, just waiting for me to wake up so we could start all over.

Being around kids makes me feel great – brings out the kid in me, as the cliché goes – and it’s true. Almost makes me want one. Almost.

Until next week,

Jack

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

"Dear Jack,

I enjoyed your April 11 story of the first houseguests. My grandparents also left Smyrna / Izmir in 1921, before the Catastrophe (Katastrophi) and burning of the city.

As my grandmother was then 26 years old, her diary of life in Smyrna is quite interesting; most importantly, she writes that the Greek-descended population had nothing against the Turkish-descended population. They lived together and worked together. During the 3-year Greek rule (1919-1922) many Greeks helped their Turkish friends.

The same happened after 1922, when many Turks helped their Greek friends. This is not just hearsay; there are specific stories with names.

The great animosity was started by other nations, in order to divide and rule. Mass, unbelievable atrocities did happen. So it is true that on both sides feelings still run high. For myself, my motto is “forgive, not forget” - we all live on a very small planet!

As a member of the Association of people descended from Smyrna I would ask to be put in touch with your friends; we may be able to assist them to find their roots. This Association is a non-profit and our assistance comes at no cost. There are many old books and photographs which families may find very interesting.

The Association of Smyrneans was founded in 1936 by a number of Smyrneans, to preserve all the memories and traditions of the Greek populations of Asia Minor before 1922. The website is www.enosismyrneon.gr. Part of the site is in English.

Smyrna was a truly cosmopolitan city, much, much more so than Athens. My great-great mother was British, another branch Venetian, another Syrian!

Regards and best wishes,

SA"

P.S. This is a great example of people in the community reaching out to lend a hand and support each other, each in their own way. How great it is to discover one’s history!

Until next week,

Jack

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

We did the required site seeing, the necessary museums, and the expected tavernas. We walked everywhere, spurred on by frequent coffee stops. We even made it down to the waterfront – for a great lunch at Rakadikon in Vouliagmeni (well-worth the trip!)

But here’s the strange and incredible part. Over the course of the weekend, my friends made a huge discovery.

Throughout their childhood, they had believed that their ancestry was partly Turkish. Their parents thought so, and apparently their grandparents thought so too. But after some interesting conversations, clarification of some historical facts, some name checking and eating Greek food which tasted ‘exactly like their mother’s’ – my friends concluded that their ancestry is, in fact, Greek! As it turns out, their (Greek) great-grandmother fled Smyrni (Izmir) in 1921, moved half-way across the world and completely closed the book on that part of her life. Her passport was Turkish, hence…

So this weekend went from a city-break in Athens, to a full-fledged discovery of roots, connecting with a newly-discovered past and adding a fantastic new layer to a family’s complex identity. Needless to say, it was a special few days.

And needless to say, they loved Athens. Especially the food ;)

Until next week,

Jack

Rakadikon
Poseidonos 17, Vouliagmeni
210-9671530
www.rakadikon.gr

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

Sunday started with my utter confusion at the correct time – I wasn’t sure what clocks/phones/computers/watches had been changed, so I didn’t know if our 7am start was really 8am, or 6am. But when all my helpers arrived at ‘8am’, the day started.

I ended up hiring a guy with a moving truck, who was perfectly efficient and experienced and new exactly what should go where. He was on time, well priced, and a nice guy. Good call! And when I saw him manoeuver his truck through the narrow lanes of central Athens, I knew this guy was a pro. Nothing broken, nothing lost, nothing forgotten – a success.

The best part of the whole process was the group of friends who pitched in to help with the move. It wouldn’t have happened so easily without them. And at the end of it all, a visit from my pals to welcome me in my new place made a perfect end to a long day…

So, after more bubble paper, plastic wrap and sticky tape than I could imagine, the job was done and I closed the door on the old place, and opened the door on the new one. I think I’m going to enjoy living in the centre – the energy, the neighbourhoods, that Acropolis.

Sometimes change is good just for the sake of change. ‘New beginnings’ and all that… Well, I fully agree. Go ahead, change something, change anything. And pop in for a coffee while you’re at it ;)

Until next week,

Jack

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

I know spring is on its way, some say it has already arrived. But I can't help but feel that ever-present longing for the heat of summer, the warm sun on my face. I want to complain that it is 'just too hot'...!

This will have to wait. But in the meantime, maybe I can steal a few hours of escape...

I've always loved Nafplio. It's cute, it's just small enough, it has something for everyone, and it's close enough for a day trip and far enough away to feel that you've actually gone somewhere!

For those who haven't been, I highly recommend a trip. For those who have been, you'll know what I mean...

So I've decided to jump on the bandwagon and join my XpatAthens friends on the day trip next weekend. Good destination, good people, nice lunch, I don't have to worry about driving - my pre-spring break. Well-deserved, I'd say.

Interested? More info click HERE

Should be fun!

Until next week,

Jack

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

This has been one of those weeks where work has piled up, hour by hour, to the point where I can’t recall having left the house at all. Not even to the supermarket. I am sure that my local delivery guys think I’m as lazy as they come...

I can tell you the temperature in Brussels, Berlin and Boston – with as much accuracy as I can guess at the weather in Athens, since looking out the window and my phone’s weather feed are the closest things to an outdoor experience I’ve had in days… Judging from the view out there, I’m missing a beautiful week.

I’m at the point where I wonder what it’s all for… Don’t get me wrong, I have a typically North American attitude towards working and towards my career. But from time to time (to time) I find myself assessing what exactly I’d be giving up if I were to completely change directions, reinvent my working life, and escape the daily grind of typing into a computer and talking on the phone in return for a paycheck.

Then I realize that most of us probably fall in a similar boat – over-worked, over-stressed. And let’s not even talk about under-paid. And I also realize that I am one of the lucky ones who actually has a job and the luxury of complaining about being over-worked. Perspective is everything.

Until next week,

Jack

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

The whole thing has been in the works for many months, with lots of talk and speculation and Facebooking on the topic.

When the winner was announced this week at a big event at the Onassis Centre (attended by Mr. Samaras and a host of other important political and cultural officials), I followed it with much interest.

The winning design was submitted by Dutch design firm ‘Okra’, and involves a beautiful and eco-friendly plan for pedestrianizing Panepistimiou St., along with a revamp of Omonia and Syntagma squares. The plan is supported by politicians of many stripes, with completion for the entire re-do set for 2015.

I got to thinking… this could be the best news I’ve heard in months. The biggest breath of fresh air that Athens has been offered in ages. It reminded me of the period leading up to the Olympics in 2004, where, despite setbacks, schedule scares and the usual naysayers, the city came together in a feeling of great pride and accomplishment. I hope that this has the same effect. Rethinking Athens has been a long time coming, but maybe, just maybe, it’s the emotional boost that the city needs to weather the storms ahead.

Rethinking Athens is perhaps the easy part – re-making Athens will be the challenge. But I can’t deny the awesome feeling of ‘What if…’ that nags at the back of my mind. What if it all happened as they say…

Until next week,

Jack

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

I’ve been toying with the idea of trying yoga. Not full-on sweat-soaked, body-bending, soul-searching yoga. But rather ‘yoga for dummies’, at least for a start.

So when my friend invited me to the yoga studio where she teaches, I was rather concerned. Am I ready for this? Will it hurt? But when she added – ‘it’s not a class, it’s a party!’ – I thought that here was the best way to have my first taste of yoga. With a glass of wine in hand.

The Bhavana Yoga Studio in Monastiraki is actually rather nice, decorated for relaxation, candles, large practice space, spotlessly clean, shoes off at the door. You can even buy specialty yoga clothes in the reception area. If anyone is looking for yoga in English, check out Bhavana on Mondays at 6:30pm.

Yoga seems to cross all social and economic class lines. This was also mentioned to me by someone I met there that night: mid-40s, Greek, always laughed at yoga, until he tried it on a whim last year. He has been coming to classes every day (that’s EVERY DAY) since.

The studio feels like a place of focus and also of acceptance – your life outside is irrelevant to the time-honoured practices inside. I met some interesting people who all seemed to have a smile on their face. Could have been the wine and the music, but somehow I doubt it.

After my first yoga session (ahem!), we headed to Kolonaki to the classic Café Boheme for an upscale pub-style drink and a bite to eat. Interesting music, tasty food and a relaxed atmosphere – an easy choice.

So with my chakras and my stomach fully aligned, Saturday was declared a good time.

Until next week,

Jack

43 Aeolou Street – Monastiraki
www.bhavanayoga.com

36 Omirou Street - Kolonaki
www.cafeboheme.gr

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

This ‘Night to Remember’, which has become a highlight annual event for the expat community, went off in great style. A beautiful venue, yummy buffet and great music (ok, sure, and the open bar…) made for an evening of fun! I actually had a really good time, met some new people and, with a room full of people dancing and ‘whooping’ in a conga line, I couldn’t help but forget my day-to-day and really smile in the moment.

But I remain eternally awestruck at how many people know all the words to ‘It’s Raining Men’. And all the moves to match ;) Must check YouTube…

Also great to see our friends from the Greek-Irish Society out in full force!

Smile in the moment – must remember to do this more often…

Check out some pics from the night HERE!

Until next week,

Jack

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

So I’m thrilled.

The real estate agent who showed the property has so far been exemplary – professional, responsive, knowledgeable, on time. There are many good ones around, and they make a huge difference in the whole experience.

Now comes the really fun part – and a bunch of questions:

How much notice do I actually need to give my current landlord?
How much fun will I have changing the address of my electricity & internet service?
Should I hire a mover or do it myself?
Will a moving truck even fit on the narrow streets anywhere near the apartment?
What time of day (or night) should I move? I mean, if I’m to block a street in a busy neighbourhood, should I do it late at night, or will my new neighours think me strange?

As with most everything else in Athens, there is no clear answer. So if you are wandering home from a Thissio café one of these nights, and notice a dark van parked on a side street, with a couple of shady guys popping in and out of a dark building – please don’t panic and don’t call the cops – it’s just me trying to get my couch up the stairs!

Until next week,

Jack

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…