#gratitudes Sleeping to the sound of wind and waves
Toast with tahini, banana, and honey
The smell of eucalyptus in the air
Lighting a beeswax candle at Megalochari, the Virgin Mary of the Great Grace, the largest pilgrimage site in Greece
This rural island
Dinner on the sea with marinated anchovies, local artichokes, fresh tomatoes, octopus, and red mullet
Drinking @tinoseveryday natural wine “10+12” - with hints of pineapple while contemplating its name
A partner to be honest with
A shooting star on the beach
It’s the fourth day of high heat on the island and the first day the cicadas are out. To the Cretans, this means summer has arrived. They believe that the grapes are now truly getting ripe. They will know exactly when to harvest the grapes — when the cicadas stop singing.
We visited the ancient site of Aptera with its Greek Temple dedicated to Apollo and Artemis, the divine twins. Aptera has a theater, cistern, and Roman bathing complex nestled among olive trees and mountains. I sang in the center of the ancient theater. The sound amplified, became otherworldly, and my body started to vibrate as if something was taking possession. Sorcery? Or good sound design?
Gratitudes:
The Summer Solstice
My four year anniversary with Chris
Long lunch with students
A thoughtful present from students
Thyme honey
Cretan orange gelato
Freshly caught red snapper
Meeting a friend from Newcastle in Chania for dinner
The friendship of the Angels of Charlie
Chris on his way to Greece
