SUNDAY NITE, MONDAY MORNING
Crete is the southernmost and largest of the Greek Islands and Chania is one of its biggest cities. It has its own airport, so tourists can jet between here and Athens with relative ease.
The apartment we are staying in for the next four days is the oldest AirBnB in Greece according to our host’s father, Kostas, who brought us croissants, bread and honey this morning from “the best bakery in town.” He is also taking us on a car tour of the city in one hour and has offered to make reservations for us at restaurants so that we get the best tables. Wow.
Greece, according to Kostas, is a place where socializing is more important than anything else. I would broaden it to include the words “friendship,” “community,” and “love”which make southern Europe a perfect fit for our lifestyle and values.
As is true for many of my friends who read this – community is more important to us than Art, Assets or Excellence (all of which are wonderful). Real community is the healthy, heart-centered connection between people and EVERYTHING else that’s good flows out from it like a heart sends blood throughout the body.
That’s why when people ask us, “where is your favorite place from your travels,” we often say “wherever people are kind, open to laughter and devoted to ‘we’ more than ‘me.’”
BTW, I don’t pretend to be a model of perfection in this regard. Like everyone, I stumble and fall and forget every day how to be grateful and loving. However, my vision is clearing, my gratitude is increasing and, not coincidentally, our lives are improving in measurable ways.
Read in for an example!
MONDAY AFTERNOON
Kostas offered to take us on a tour of Chania at 12pm. Beth and I assumed it might be a 15 minute drive to familiarize us with the area.
We just returned to our apartment at 4:30pm!
Truly, we are amazed by this act, a glorious example of unconditional generosity. Let’s let some photos tell the story…
The highlight of the tour was, by far, the 4+ hours of discussion with Kostas about Cretan culture, history, food, and values. Second was the trip to Lakki where every elevation brought a new surprise – Oranges and Avocados as we climbed, Olives and Cypress Trees at the top.
What a day!
