late + list

It's 10:40pm, and here I am just getting started here with a blog... boohoohohum. The last few days have been busy (good busy), and Hendrik hit the wall pretty hard this afternoon at a BBQ; there's no denying that a lengthy afternoon nap for an almost three and a half year old will kill all chances of a decent bedtime, which means that the ideal sitchy-ation of the kids in bed early + blog done early + me in bed and sleeping early enough to get a good night's sleep just ain't gonna happen. I think I mentioned this in my last post: we went to our new friend's house for lunch on Sunday (chez the people who own the bakery down the street), and had such a good time with them and their family that we exchanged numbers and met again. And again! This afternoon we went to Elly and Aris's house for a BBQ, and it was as Greek as it gets: eat eat eat! and meat meat meat! + happy people, much much food, busy kids, ice cream, and beer, wine, sunshine and amazing views... oh man, it was great. Here's a question: why is it that you (you, me, everyone) seem to meet people just when it's time to say goodbye? These are friendships that I don't want to say goodbye to... so I won't. I'm sure we'll be back here at some point, and if these new friends don't come visiting our chilly northern climes, we'll come and visit their southern ones.

With that said, our time here is in short supply: we leave in FIVE DAYS! Eek. But, there is much to do and see before then: we are heading north tomorrow to a small town somewhere close to Parga (I believe), to spend a few days with Nik and Constantina at her family's summer place. If we had more time I would spend a week (or two?) here, and then another week in Ioannina, and another few days south of Pyrgos (can we stay can we stay can we stay?!) - and really, couldn't the list just go on and on and on? Elafonisos, Halkidiki, Mani, and more more more..... so yes, yes it could. So, we are packing for our two day trip (we leave tomorrow, Friday, and come back Sunday) and thinking about packing for our big big trip back home - all to be done on Sunday evening and/or Monday morning. We fly out quite early on Tuesday so will make the trip to Athens on Monday afternoon/evening with fingers all limbs crossed for a decent sleep before a long trip home (did I mention that I'm flying solo with the kids again?). I have more to write about, but this list must get out before it gets lost in that I'll-blog-about-it later pile... so, here it is:

5 THINGS I'LL MISS ABOUT GREECE

1. The FOOD. I will miss the produce, the fresh eggs, the phyllo, the bougatsa and spanikopita, the sokolatopita, the portokalopita, the yogurt, the meat, the greek salads, the cheese... and I will miss the quality of all of these things. I will miss the markets, I will miss the bakeries, I will miss this food!

2. The PEOPLE. (Big sigh.) How to say? That whole Greek hospitality thing that the Hellenic people are famous for? It's real. It is the real deal: people are friendly and welcoming and giving. Is this a Patra or a just-my-neighborhood thing? (or a your kids are blond and adorable thing?) I don't know, but people say hello and smile on a very regular basis, and I love it. I will miss this very, very much.

3. The Pace of Life. What's important here? Family. Food and quality of food. Stores are closed on Sundays. Kids go to bed late, and parents go out with their kids at night (and during the day) to cafes and restaurants. Hustle and bustle and must-do-this/that/now business? Haven't felt that vibe (though I know it's there for some people... definitely not for most!).

4. Less Is More. I might look back on this entry with question marks all over my eyeballs, but I think I'll miss making due without: chez nous there is no dryer, no dishwasher, three pots, one frying pan, one pan for the oven, zero small appliances and minimal belongings, and it all works. And it makes me wonder whether or not I want all of the things we have at home... because here, we sure don't need them.

5. The Weather. This is a no-brainer, self-explanatory entry... I choose warmth over endless winter!

5 THINGS I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO: CANADA

1. Seeing Friends and Family. It will be so so good to see the Brinkmans and to see my family in June (the whole family together!!), and we get to meet baby Lennon - on Tuesday!! I miss being close to family and friends, and even though we'll still be pretty far from many, at least we'll be in the same country (or continent).
3. Using the Library. No explanation needed.
4. Towels from the dryer. No explanation needed.
5. Space for me and Steve. Le sigh. Our kids go to bed late here, and we usually hit the sack when they do: I'm out here with Alana a few feet away (for a few hours at least), and Steve is in the room with Hendrik strewn across blankets and bed. We usually get a 5-10 minute chat in in our tiny bathroom, which isn't the most ideal space (did I mention that there is no space in there)? It will be nice to be able to sit down on the couch and chat (or watch tv - says Steve) without disturbing any little people, with lights on or off, talking or whispering. And it will be nice to not have to share a single bed with Alana (me) or a double bed with Hendrik (Steve), but a king-sized bed with each other.

Blog=finished. Please note that I could write multiple posts on most of these things AND that they are not listed in order of importance (ie fresh, warm towels from the dryer are not more important than spending time with my husband). Greece, I will miss you!