Today we visited the Palace of Knossos, the center of Minoan civilization. Then we made our way to a Chania, on the Northwest coast of Crete #gratitudes
Visiting a place that was the origin of famous myths and legends, like Ariadne and the Minotaur
The pretty Venetian harbor of Chania
Finally, my first taste of bottarga, a cured fish roe, which I had first heard about on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations
Students who are sending me drafts of their work before tomorrow’s conferences
Cold showers
Chris, who sent me updates on our summer garden, including tiger lilies that I didn’t know we had
A quiet day taking my time in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum
The Ladies in Blue fresco from Knossos (16c BC)
The stunning and ancient amethyst and gold jewelry
The purchase of a small amulet, a replica from the Phaistos disk from a Minoan place in Crete, which, as far as I’m concerned, is magical
Mint tea
Room service tonight, because I’m still wiped from yesterday’s migraine #gratitudes
My lovely friend Cecile writes her evening gratitudes before she goes to sleep at night. They are in French and I have to Google Translate them. I look forward to reading them at the end of the day. Whenever I have written a gratitude list I’ve felt the palpable shift that comes from appreciating the things around you, versus complaining about what isn’t so great. I already do this in my own private way - but not in written words. So for the next month I decided to write my evening gratitudes. I hear the word gratitudes it in my mind with Cecile’s French accent. It’s a study. Research into states of being. A practice in appreciation. I’m sure it’s much easier here in Greece with beauty all around. But you have to start somewhere.
The harbor dotted with sail boats
The Santorini sun dried tomato paste that I cannot get enough of
The strange but charming Muzak of popular tunes in bossa nova I find in restaurants in Greece
How respectful my students are being while we stay in the convent in Santorini
The crisp and dramatic Assyritiko wine
The beautiful smile of my mom’s friend Linda who we just found out passed away unexpectedly
The chance meeting of Cecile and Jules and discussion of our next adventure
Chris who is heroically taking care of everything at home including taking Islay to the vet for her chronic eye infections, calling an exterminator for our ant invasion, unclogging the gutters, fixing the broken dishwasher, attempting to fix the roof, and making arrangements for our cat sitter
The way the Greek people make you feel like family
Freckles
This view for my simple pizza dinner tonight
Visiting Hatzidakis Winery was a bucket list item. Learning about the Protective Designation of Origin PDO Santorini Assryriko wines of the region from some of the great masters at this organic winery. The red was also a revelation - from the local Mavrotragano grapes, something I did not know about until my visit. We went out to the fields to see the ancient basket system of vines, unique to the area. Most amazingly, the only water these vines receive is from the morning dew, a bit salty from the sea air, which you can definitely taste in the wine. The volcanic pumice soil and extreme conditions of the island seem to make magic on the vines. Marietta, the oenologist, gave me a ride back to Pyrgos, and also some recommendations for an upcoming visit to Tinos. The team at the winery is a family of miracle workers.
