My beloved island of Crete

Image by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay

I wanted to use one of my own many photos of Crete, however the emotions are still too raw for me. So I found the lovely image above, which was taken at an ancient place very close to where I was living.

As a well traveled American, I never expected to fall so in love with Crete and the wonderful people I developed friendships with in the time that I lived there.  I would still be there today if my life hadn’t imploded this year. Words cannot truly express my sadness over having left Crete temporarily to have it unexpectedly turned into what feels like a permanent departure.

I went to Crete to support my husband’s dream.  I went happily, and looked forward to the adventures we would have and the life we would build together. Being married to a German citizen meant that we could live and work anywhere in Europe, and Crete turned out to be a great choice. I will be forever grateful for having had the opportunity to experience life there.

Crete is located close enough to the rest of Europe for easy travel within the EU, yet far enough away to offer a relaxed life. It’s a big island, with mountains that separate the north and south coasts.  We lived on the Northwest side of the island, in a little village by the sea.  Heaven.

I’ve come to realize that my heart is still in Crete. My new goals involve finding my way back there.  Jay has moved on to Germany, and I don’t think he’ll ever go back to our little village.  This leaves me with my memories of the place I love intact, without the worry of seeing him again when I make my way back.

What was life like in our little seaside village?  It was a community of expats and friendly locals.  Everything we needed to live a simple life was literally within walking distance.  From doctors to banks to grocery shopping, everything was right in the village.  Traveling around Crete itself was always a revelation.  Every village, whether seaside or mountain, had a different character.  The one constant was the feeling of being welcomed.

We used to get away for a week or two at a time on the island itself.  One of my favorite trips was to Paleochora in the south.  Once tourist season died down, the village returned to a sleepiness and peace that was so soothing.  An hour drive or so from where we were living, it seemed that we were in a different world altogether.

I often listen to playlists of Greek summer hits, which bring me straight back to the feeling of being there.  My heart fills with light and all is well for a few minutes.

My sister once asked me if I would consider living in Crete without Jay, and in the throes of my sadness, my immediate response was no.  Time has really softened my sadness and made me re-evaluate that position.  My friends are there still, and I absolutely could live there quite happily for the rest of my life.  I don’t know what my future holds, but if I am fortunate enough to be able to head back there permanently, it’s a yes from me.