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Greece: Since I’ve Come To Greece – Take I

May 31, 2016 By Laura Davis No Comments - Read & Respond

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Yesterday, in our final writing group, I gave the prompt, “Since I’ve come to Greece,” and I’m going to post several of the responses from my students. They provide a great recap of our two weeks together.

This first version is by Marlene Bumgarner, who had the great distinction of being the only person on the trip to fall and break a bone–her foot in two places. She’s been a real trooper ever since.

Here’s her version:

Since I’ve come to Greece I’ve seen more tomatoes and cucumbers than ever before. I’ve seen gnarled faces, bowed backs, wide smiles on people who work the land. I’ve seen several different kinds of modern architecture and many ancient ruins. I’ve seen love and kindness, nurturing and caring between and among women who only met two weeks ago. I’ve seen the bluest sky and the bluest water than in all my past experience.

Since I’ve come to Greece I’ve heard tiny birds singing in the sunrise, animated conversations in very loud voices, accompanied by gesticulating hands. I’ve heard breezes blowing, bells ringing, cheerful music. I’ve also heard blaring horns, angry words, racing engines, buses belching diesel exhaust.

Since I’ve come to Greece I’ve smelled food cooking in Athens market stalls, at breakfast buffets and in village tavernas. I’ve smelled my own sweat and the sweetness of hotel flowers, sometimes at the same time. The salty air as we ferried to Santorini, and the machinery when we docked; the oily smell of the gangplank gears and the idling motorbikes.

Today I smelled the acrid air as I waited in a pharmacy, remembering the same odor at the Santorini clinic – that disinfectant smell of hospitals everywhere.

Since I’ve come to Greece I’ve tasted goat and rooster, new cheeses and 20 types of olives. I’ve tasted the sweetest cherry tomatoes of my life, and the smoothest olive oil. Rabbit and dakas and eggplant and cauliflower. Baklava and yoghurt and honey; salty orange peanuts and many shades of wine.

Since I’ve come to Greece I’ve felt alive and free, untethered by my own schedules or responsibilities, and engaged in experiencing new places, new friendships, new flavors, sounds, and sights. I’ve felt pushed and pulled by other people’s schedules, by the rubbing together of women accustomed to making their own decisions yet trying hard to go with the flow. I’ve felt energized, alert, awake, and engaged. But I’ve also felt tired, bone tired, and achy, and stiff.

Since I’ve come to Greece I’ve met many kind people. Some are traveling with me; others drive taxis, tend bar, serve food, drive buses, run restaurants. When I have faltered along the way, struggling with my injury and non-accessible architecture, sometimes I’ve felt an arm lifting me up, steadying me, making sure I don’t fall. When I have looked up to thank my helper, I have seen the faces of men and women of all ages, sometimes residents, sometimes members of our community, and sometimes fellow travelers.

Since I’ve come to Greece I have savored the food, the weather, the views, the friendships, the conversations with proud Greek residents, the colors, the food. Did I say the food? I’ve savored the food.

Since I’ve come to Greece I’ve been reminded of how busy my life has become even in retirement; how full of errands and events and obligations and shoulds and regrets. Since I’ve come to Greece I’ve been reminded of how little “stuff” one actually needs: a small suitcase, a backpack, travel underwear and three changes of clothes.

Since I’ve come to Greece I’ve been reminded how good it is to be in the company of women, under a blue sky, sharing food and drink and stories. Since I’ve come to Greece I’ve learned once again the kindness of strangers; how a smile and a shrug can mitigate tension, and really, how alike we all are in our needs, our fears and insecurities, our joys and our rewards.

I’ve learned how to listen before I speak, write before I think, move my pen across the page even when I have nothing left to write.

Since I came to Greece I’ve learned to relax.

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Filed Under: Blog, Greece 2016, Retreats, The Virtual Vacation Tagged With: greece, teaching, writing retreat

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Like this Virtual Vacation?

You can also read about Laura’s travels to:

Peru 2017

In which Laura and Karyn and 18 writers explore Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of Peru.

Serbia 2017

In which Laura leads a workshop at the Incest Trauma Center.

Greece 2016

In which Laura explores the wonders of Crete and Santorini with a wide-eyed group of Write, Travel, Transform adventurers.

Vietnam 2015/16

In which Laura, who grew up during the Vietnam War, goes to Southeast Asia and finds out what Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are really like today.

Commonweal 2015

A journey toward healing loss and grief in a magnificent Northern California setting.

Scotland 2015

In which Laura returns to Scotland with a new group for another jaunt through the wonders of the Scottish Highlands.

Scotland 2013

In which Laura attends the Edinburgh theatre festival and leads 14 writers to a magical retreat in the highlands of Northern Scotland.

Bali 2013

In which Laura visits Australia, and spends three weeks diving, exploring, and teaching in three regions of Bali.

Florida 2014

A journey into old age in America in which Laura brings her 86-year-old mother to Florida so she can see her last surviving sister one final time.

Mexico 2014

In which Laura attends the San Miguel Writer’s Conference and explores the artistic towns around Patzcuaro.

About Laura Davis

In the course of my career as a communicator, I have also worked as a columnist, talk show host, radio reporter, radio producer, blogger, editor, and speaker. Words have always been at the core of my work and my self-expression. Read More . . .

Photo taken by Jason Ritchey

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Retreating with Laura: Julie Sheehan

Julie Sheehan

For many years I put off my dream of writing and traveling. I told myself the kids were too little, my husband could never survive without me, that I couldn't possibly be so selfish. I couldn't imagine realistically stepping out of all of my responsibilities and roles. Then I started attending Laura’s summer retreat at Commonweal in northern California and that became an annual gift to myself for the next three years.

When the opportunity to travel with Laura internationally came up, my Land of Later mentality said I could never pull it off. But when my friend got cancer at age 39, I decided to stop taking life and it's endless opportunities to grow, live, nurture and explore myself for granted.

My children were 6 and 9 when I began allowing myself the luxurious pleasure of taking 10 days to two weeks each year to travel abroad with Laura, to spend time with like minded, soul searching people who share a passion for living and writing, to have all my meals prepared for me, to have the space and freedom to stretch out of my cage and check in with who I am, what I want, and how best to get there.

Laura is a skilled and nurturing teacher who encourages her students to take risks, to grow as human beings, and to be vulnerable. She has provided me with a forum where I can gain all my CEUs and learn techniques on how to become a more engaging writer, all while completing yearly emotional rehab.

I return home from each of Laura’s trip a little wiser, a little more open, and a lot more compassionate. I greet my family, friends and daily life with sparkly, clean energy and a renewed patience, brought about by way of re-writing old stories that I needed to let go of. I come home ready to move forward in my life.

A retreat with Laura Davis is one of the best gifts I ever received and gave myself. It took many years to realize that I was worth the time and financial investment, but now there is no looking back.

Julie Sheehan, Livermore California

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