Ain't it a dream?

I’m going to let you all in on a little secret. Moving to a new country, even when it’s a Greek Island (and maybe especially when it’s a Greek island) is not easy. AT ALL. Why did I do it? Because why not? It had been a rough year, my industry collapsed and I was finding it incredibly difficult to get a job. When I saw a posting for a new hotel opening in Crete I figured what the heck? I reached out, expressed my interest and told them about my experience in NYC hospitality, and well…here I am, on a gorgeous island with all it’s blessings (and curses). I won’t lie, it’s been tough. I had an incredibly challenging time especially in the beginning. Adapting to a new country is always hard, but this country, as amazing as it is, is also much harder than I had realized it would be. Sure, I grew up Greek American, but as I mentioned before, that is very different than growing up in Greece. Yes, I went to Greek School when I was a child (some 20+ years ago) and yes I have spent a lot of time in Greece, but I am far from fluent in the language, and let it be known that I’ve been told by many Greeks and foreigners who live here that Greek is a VERY difficult language to learn. I do read and write fairly well, but try and figure out what your mobile phone carrier is trying to tell you on the digital app. when all your data and minutes have expired and you’re just trying to figure out how to add new ones onto your pre-paid plan so that you can use your GPS and not get lost in the mountainside of Greece (what did people do moving to a new country before Google Maps?!). Or how about trying to maneuver your way at the bank when for some reason your PIN is not working at the ATM, and you need to pull money out, all while worrying if your double parked car is going to be towed away because you have no idea what the parking rules are in the country and you can’t find parking anywhere but every Greek tells you to just park in the street and put hazard lights on and “don’t worry” it will be fine. I guess it’s fine because (knock on wood) I’ve now become a pro at double parking and nothing has happened to my car yet :-) I’ve had to figure out different personality traits, challenges with living accommodations, (i’ve moved quite a few times, long story) and what has really been hard is the fact that the Greek diet is not actually all that healthy and my body has had to adjust (still adjusting actually). We hear all about how the Mediterranean diet is so healthy and it is, but what no one tells you is that in reality, the everyday food in Greece is very heavy. Sandwiches and Spanikopites (spinach pies) are the “fast food” of Greece and are so easy to grab and go, but eventually that, paired with the daily Freddo Cappuccino, or the heavy Moussaka, your body might start to revolt. I have had a lot of self-doubt these last few months also. Having left everything I know to move to a new country, taking a step back in my career, removing myself from the US market and worried that when I come back (if I come back) it will be even more competitive and I will have lost years of my personal and professional life. All these fears are irrational I know. Personally, living here will only make me stronger. Everything that I am learning is going to become a part of who I am in the future and it’s going to be a significant part. I stress about the “what’s next” often instead of living in the moment around me. I think many of us do, at least Americans anyway. I’ve also realized recently that I’ve gotten myself hooked back on Social Media, which is never a good thing, for me anyways. I catch myself scrolling through Insta and LinkedIn and that is when the self-doubt kicks in. I see all the promotions, engagements, new babies, marriages and I once again wonder if I’m holding myself back by being here. But then…I go on a run to make myself feel better. I look up at the crystal blue sky and the ocean all around me. I run by the herds of sheep and baby lamb and I realize again that life doesn’t have to be so complicated all the time. That if I choose to have a simpler life I am not falling behind because of it, but in many ways I am progressing as a human being, rich with experiences. I have always wanted to move to Europe, and especially to Greece. Now is my time. I am hear, and I have to make a mental reminder for myself sometimes how blessed I am to have moved from Alaska, to New York City, to Japan and now to Greece. How many people would give anything for these opportunities? The “American Disease” is something I talked about in one of my recent posts. Feeling the need to be constantly striving for more success, more money and more progress, but just because my life is different than what I thought it would be 10 years ago, or even 20 years ago, so what. Why am I writing all of this? I don’t know, I guess because I think it’s important to remind everyone that behind all of the beautiful instagram photos lies real struggle and insecurity for everyone. That person who became an overnight success most likely spent years, or even decades building their brand first. That girl who seems to have found the perfect husband, probably kissed a LOT of frogs first, or the girl living on that beautiful island, there’s another side to that life also. Perspective I think is the reason I’m writing this. Keeping everything in perspective that it’s not always easy, but I do think in the end it always pays off to keep going.

I took a stroll through the charming streets of Rethymno Old Town the other night and thought to myself, I am living an experience that I never dreamed would happen, and now it’s happening. My life is guiding me on a new path. It’s very different and there have been many bumps along the way, but I’m doing it. This experience is mine, to share, and be proud of, and I know that while it’s not always glamorous, I’m going to make the best of it.

Rethymno Old Town