In the spring of 1988, the lead singer of a US band along with five jazz musicians landed in Athens airport, following a short-term contract on board of a cruise ship. When the shipping company went bust due to financial problems, the 35-year-old singer did not followed her colleagues back to the US. She took the challenge and stayed in Greece, changed her course of life and picked up “the new adventure.”
“When I stepped off that plane in Athens into the sweet lemon smell of a Greek spring, I looked up at those beautiful green mountains, felt the sea breeze on my face, and said to myself, ‘I am home.’ , Karen says for the The NewsStar
“The noise, the disorganization, the traffic congestion, the crazy drivers, the pollution, and the chaos that others complained about was not what I saw,” she added.
“I found everything about this new experience stimulating and exciting but it wasn’t easy. Adjusting to a new culture with entirely different ideas and attitudes takes time.”
After spending some time in Greece, Karen moved to the islands.
“The colors of the Greek islands, the turquoise blues of the sea and sky, the white-washed sugar cube buildings had captivated me and I was fearless in my decision to stay,” she recalls.
And so she did. She strayed and worked on the island of Mykonos for almost 25 years.
Sharing her love for Greece, Karen gave some tips for newcomers, whether on a short visit or permanent settlement in the south European country.
The most challenging issues are: the different culture, the loud and what it often sounds as if it was “confrontational communication”, the lack of organization in the public services.
“Abundance in Greece is often measured by quality of life rather than quantity of money or material possessions. The first thing a Greek said to me was: life is short, make it beautiful. Food is a celebration and a reason for being with family and friends. A night around the table can quickly escalate into group singing and energetic dancing. A simple meal at the local taverna or a walk by the sea at sunset bring enjoyment and satisfaction to a people who live passionately and authentically every day.”
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