When I told people that I would be going to spend over a month in Greece this past spring, I got some interesting responses. “Isn’t it dangerous right now? Will the ATM’s work? Aren’t there refugees? Is it safe?” I’ve traveled enough now to know you can’t pay attention to the media when it comes to travel safety issues. Often, the places portrayed as the most chaotic, are usually the most peaceful.

Also, I can’t imagine what it would be like to be forced to leave my home country, and I had hopes of helping and talking to any refugees I came across. I wanted to know their stories, hear about life from their point of view. Having been free to roam anywhere I please, I do not take this for granted.

I didn’t listen to the rumors. I didn’t listen to other’s worries. Packing my bags I headed to Greece, which has always held a special place in my heart.

Greece, I Love You

What do I love about Greece?

I love her natural beauty

her beaches

 

her culture

her food

But, above all

I love her people

Greek people are some of the most hospitable and welcoming people I’ve ever met

I will never forget the conversation I had with my taxi driver

He didn’t complain about his situation

Instead, he said

“we are sad right now because we like to offer guests who come to our country our hospitality

But, right now times are tough

and we barely have enough for ourselves

it doesn’t make us feel good to not offer hospitality to others” 

These words touched my very spirit 

because I was offered much more hospitality than 

I ever expected

from the taxi driver who gave me a discounted ride 

because he wanted me to remember that the people of Greece will treat you fairly

to the hotel owner who shared with me his stories over coffee

because he wanted me to understand more about Greece and her people

to the people who shared with me their food 

because they wanted me to taste their culture

I never once felt like I wasn’t shown hospitality

I was shown a smile

even though I could sense worry and sadness behind her eyes

I was given the perfect apricot

I was shown pride instead of fear

Pride from a people who are proud of where they came from

And who they still are

I saw compassion for others 

that they knew

had it worse off 

than they did

I saw a desire to understand

to acknowledge

and to live

not from a place of fear

but of complete love

and kindness

no one in Greece ever mentioned the word refugee

I have a feeling it’s because

they only saw the newcomers 

as people 

needing a place

to call

home…..

(note: the quotes on the signs are quotes from immigrants and were part of a project going on in Athens at the time that I visited)

For ideas of where to visit in Greece, check out The Travelling King’s article, “Must Visit In Greece.”