reclaim that greek summer feeling

Maybe you travel to Greece every summer, maybe you haven’t been in years. Maybe you live in Greece but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s not summer. Sure, all seasons have their beauty. But on the East Coast of the U.S., I’m more or less done trying to pretend I enjoy feeling *cozy* or celebrating Hygge… or whatever else it takes to convince myself this isn’t all a dream until summer arrives again. 

Dramatic? Sorry, I’m Greek.

There’s nothing quite like the energy and vitality we feel during Greek summer. Watching a horizon fade as your ferry boat leaves its dock, the signature blue and white that spews from its stern, and wind-whipped hair. If you only squeeze in one week of vacation, which I can speak to, you feel more renewed from that week in Greece than if you spent a month on vacation just about anywhere else in the world.

So, fight off winter (or COVID-19!) depression with these three tips and tools…

Put on some paradosiaka (traditional greek music) and dance it off.

Even if you hate Greek dancing, there’s no denying the transportive power of traditional Greek music, especially of the island variety. While the bouzouki may be used all over Athens to lure tourists into tavernas, it feels different when you’re a displaced Greek. We Greeks outside of Greece become, in a way, tourists of our own culture. 

Try this island mix from youtube. Invite some friends over, pour some rakomelo and attempt to teach them Ikariotiko (ever noticed how easy ikariotiko is to dance, but near impossible to teach?). Or just grab your partner and try for the best. Here is a playlist to get you started: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7B0uZ5OYFTpnPdByc1tgRM?si=A66XZuhnT82oqPtK2tbEsA

For a more somber, transportive time, listen to Vasilis Kostas ft Layth Sidiq – Kalesma play at the esteemed Berklee college of music.

Learn about Greek culture with a digital workshop

Are you one of those people who brings home bags of oregano and mountain tea from Greece? Yia Mas creates many workshops and experiences to help you improve your wellness and dive into Greek culture. They also teach you how to learn from Greek culture and philosophy to live better today. Gather digitally with fellow Greeks and learn more via one of their upcoming workshops, you can reserve your spot here: https://www.yia-mas.com/events?category=upcoming

WAIT, you don’t have provisions??? Now is a good time to stock up on some Greek summer essentials.

Greeks in Greece, we know you don’t have this problem. For those of us abroad, it’s a different story, albeit one that is easily fixed.

If you don’t live in a town with a Greek grocery store or provider, the internet provides. Try my Cretan Goods, for example. I always keep high quality feta cheese on hand because, you know, that’s practical :) Keeping Greek herbs on hand will also help you feel and live better.

Don’t plan your day + TAKE NAPS

Living in a bustling American city for most of my adult life, I am generally surrounded by people whose weekends are planned to a T. Actually, let’s be real, everyone I know in the US usually has weekend “plans.” And if they don’t have plans, a big point is made of talking about not having plans, which seems to put pressure on the relaxation and, in some twisted way, turn that into plans.

So: plan to have no plans. If you were on a Greek island, your plans would likely not extend past the beach, a nap, dinner, and maybe evening drinks.

You can still “do things,” this isn’t a mandated sit at home and watch netflix for 8 hours. That’s avoidance. Rather… leave your day open to spontaneity. If you decide halfway through the day to do yoga, do it. If you want to go to dinner at 9 PM, do it. Simply try not having plans and witness of flowing into whatever activities you desire. It’s arguably the most Greek summer thing you can do. While it may be easier to “have no plans” on a picturesque island or mountain, make a point to find and notice the beauty where you are.

So you’ve listened to Greek music, sipped some rakomelo, and gone with the flow with your day. Maybe you even got up and danced or attempted to teach your friend/SO/unwilling stranger a Greek dance or two.

Hopefully, you’re feeling calmer, more relaxed and a bit transported out of your daily existence.

Finally, I leave you with some notes from the surrealist poem Amorgos by Nikos Gatsos, an epic barely known outside Greece. Gatsos himself wrote many popular Greek songs you’re likely familiar with…

…the snows will melt on the mountains, the wind will sing like a bird, the swallows will come to life, the osiers will quiver, and men with cold eyes and pale faces, hearing the bells in the cracked belfries ringing by themselves, will find holiday caps to wear and gay-colored ribbons to tie on their shoes. For then no one will ever joke again, the blood of brooks will overflow…and the timid girls will come slowly and quietly to cast their last garments into the flames and to dance about them nakedly…