One of the first friends I made here in Greece shared that it took her five years to feel fully assimilated in her new home. Panic consumed me when I heard the number. FIVE? I was barely at one year at the time and struggling. Clinging on to her words as inspiration; if only I too could comfortably adjust to my new city; settle in like an old, cozy sweater that envelops you in a warm hug… I would have succeeded. This all would have been worth it.
I suppose that’s the life of an expat – never quite fitting into your clothes. Neither country fitting on just right. Too tight on the shoulders, too short at the ankles. I’ve fallen in and out of love countless times with this city I call home. Now, at my own five year anniversary of my grand move, I can say that this experience has been nothing short of the wildest ride of my life.
Oh, Athens. You beautiful, chaotic, mess. You managed to capture me. Ready to enter a new era!
CATCH ME UP
I arrived to Athens with a two year timeline; either make it happen or head back to my life in Chicago. At the time, I had saved up enough money to carry me through and hopefully help me achieve my lofty goals. Six months after my arrival as I was doing my celebratory dance of freedom, the pandemic happened and everything came to a screeching halt.
Needless to say, that two year timeline had understandably been extended. Extended by the global situation, by the man that captured my heart, by my inability to admit defeat. I was determined to see it through, after all, I was nearly halfway to the five year mark at that point. I imagined the Greek Gods applauding my persistence to stay, to make it here in their beautiful yet tumultuous country.
Greece was on an incredibly strict lockdown – dogs who required walks to relieve themselves were a commodity, even borrowed to have a reason to venture out into fresh air, a lifeline. We endured 7 lock-downs over the course of two years. The first two felt like vacation, towards the end, it simply felt like imprisonment.
I had ventured out on my own professionally at that time, moved four different homes, met the love of my life, bought a house together, got engaged, bought another house together, planned our dream wedding, traveled, renovated said houses, started another business and had my work published. That’s the funny thing. Life still goes on whether you’re standing still or not.
When I reflect on the past five years here in Greece, I think to myself, Yana you’re an absolute lunatic. I had entered my building mode, hard hat on and gaze ahead. Fortunately, I have a partner who finally understands my crazy, supports it even. Looking back on it all now, I laugh. A nervous laughter, but laughter nonetheless. I can’t believe what we were able to achieve and if I may say so myself, humbly of course, I’m damn proud.
INSPIRATION AND PERSPECTIVE
I know I’m not the only one that has watched more times than I can count, Under the Tuscan Sun, Eat Pray Love or My Life in Ruins. Any movie that starred a women upending her life, packing it in suitcases and traipsing off to some far-flung, foreign destination where the food is decadent, the language is foreign and the men are beautiful. These movies were like an old friend, getting me through break-ups, lonely nights at home, Chicago winters and daydreams of my own.
The countless Summers I spent abroad and these rose-colored movies kept the inspiration alive in me while my research and savings helped soften the blow but absolutely nothing could have fully prepared me for the transition. Greece is perhaps one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Truly. It is a blessed land; with endless sun, bounty, delicious and healthy food, the sea, warm and friendly faces, endless villages and corners to explore and the list goes on. It is also a country that lacks organization, a land of endless lines and bureaucracy, lack of customer service, recent financial hardships and absolutely zero convenience.
And it’s no doubt that when foreigners vacation here they fall in love. Vacation is for enjoyment and indulgement. Something the Greeks do quite well. As a local, someone who is trying to build something here, well that’s a different story. It can quickly become discouraging. In true hard love fashion, I feel it’s my responsibility to share the honest, raw truth about moving abroad. The good, the bad, the absolute crazy parts of it all. I’m not here to burst anyone’s romanticized bubble. In fact, my hope is that my transparency and my own journey helps aid in your own transition, making it an enjoyable ride full of longevity.
A NEW ERA: FIVE YEARS IN GREECE
Fall is my favorite season here. The weather is absolutely divine, the city is slowly being returned to the locals after the height of Summer tourism and there’s a sense of a fresh start. Greeks look at September as their “new year”. They’ve returned from their Summer homes, soaking up the Aegean sun with their bronzed skin, children are slowly making their way back to school, gym memberships are getting reactivated and life slowly rolls into a bustling rhythm.
A blanket of calm has finally arrived with the cooler nights. I feel invincible. I not only survived but I managed to come out the other side wiser, stronger and for the most part unscathed but with a few scars to prove my journey. Five years. Athens finally feels like home. I’ve become immune to the intricacies that used to set me off. Now, they are simply woven into the tapestry of this country I voluntarily call home.
I’m a local. I have my routines, my favorite haunts; they know my name at the antique shops and I can tell you where to find the best burger, what neighborhoods to go dancing in and send you to the inconspicuous taverna located in an unmarked basement serving delicious Greek food fireside. I now craft trips for others looking to explore this beautiful land; offering them a taste of local culture. I light my incense every morning on the veranda and Palmer has his favorite trees to water; every Monday I walk to the wholesaler to buy flowers and we’ll plan brunch with friends on the weekends. It’s almost time for olive harvest, too. I have arrived. This is the life I chose and built. And through all the bumps and hurdles, I have been so very greatly rewarded.
WHAT’S NEXT?
I’m entering the next chapter of enjoying the view. I’ve climbed the mountain and I’ve arrived. It’s not my innate nature to linger for too long before my next project but it’s something I am working on. I took quite a bit of time away from social media and even writing. There was too much noise and I couldn’t bare adding more to it when I was so focused. Now that the dust has settled, I am ready to dive back into my biggest passion of writing and sharing with you all, here.
Our home was neglected as we focused on the other properties and it’s now time to give the same care and energy to make our home feel like a home. Furnishing it with special pieces, finishing up larger renovation projects that will make the space comfortable and liveable for our growing family. I’ve been reading more and it’s proven to be the quiet escape my mind desperately craves. I take long walks now that the weather has cooled, enrolled in a gym that offers the classes I’ve missed and enjoy – hello, spinning! It also happens to be in one of my favorite green neighborhoods so the drive getting there is quickly becoming a morning routine I look forward to. I hope to travel more; go off the beaten path and explore in my own backyard if you will.
While I have lofty goals that I am exploring, perhaps my biggest to date, I am really leaning in to this phase of reaping my rewards. I’ve earned it.
Thank you for always being a part of my journey, even when it was awfully quiet around here. The words of support and friendships that have been made through this community I’m ever grateful for. Cheers to a new era, new beginnings and to a beautiful Fall season… x
Y
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