Jill the Greek
I would like to consider myself an honorary Greek. I would like to think that I don’t look touristy as I walk through the streets of Athens, but I do feel like an American wherever I go. For starters, I don’t look Greek. Yester
day we took a boat ride to Symi. We stopped at a local family owned store and chatted with the owner. She looked around the group and asked two people if they were Greek. Other than Finitsis, we don’t have any Greeks in our group. Most of the time, women have dark, crazy hair. I have the crazy curly hair working towards my “Greekness” but my near blonde color does not fit in. I did feel more Greek as I walked the streets of Symi. Yes, I had my camera out and was taking picture every few minutes, but Symi doesn’t get tourist in the winter. The temperature was nice but there was a tremendous breeze, however, this did not stop some from swimming. There were men working on the beach near our location and he inquired why we were here. He told us that it isn’t tourist season and that we 
were crazy to swim. As we explained that we are from Seattle, he laughed and said that we must be fine with the temperature. I have noticed that Greeks are very passionate about their conversations. Men throw their hands up and raise their voices as they carry on a civil conversation. This is something Americans don’t do. We made be loud, this I know is true, but if we were to talk in that tone, bystanders would think that a fight was about to break out. The long chats at meals are a Greek-ism I would like to bring back with me. It is soothing to enjoy the food and the good company. I have enjoyed the Greek food and plan on cooking for friends and family when I get home, however, it won’t be anything compared to the local’s cooking. I feel that my non-Greek side comes out when I say that I couldn’t eat lamb or rabbit like the Greeks do. It has been an experience to allow my pallet to grow, but I like to stick with chicken and fish.
The Greeks have adopted an American into their welcoming community. I am seen as the American in their eyes, but the Greeks are my extended family.
I would like to consider myself an honorary Greek. I would like to think that I don’t look touristy as I walk through the streets of Athens, but I do feel like an American wherever I go. For starters, I don’t look Greek. Yester
day we took a boat ride to Symi. We stopped at a local family owned store and chatted with the owner. She looked around the group and asked two people if they were Greek. Other than Finitsis, we don’t have any Greeks in our group. Most of the time, women have dark, crazy hair. I have the crazy curly hair working towards my “Greekness” but my near blonde color does not fit in. I did feel more Greek as I walked the streets of Symi. Yes, I had my camera out and was taking picture every few minutes, but Symi doesn’t get tourist in the winter. The temperature was nice but there was a tremendous breeze, however, this did not stop some from swimming. There were men working on the beach near our location and he inquired why we were here. He told us that it isn’t tourist season and that we 
were crazy to swim. As we explained that we are from Seattle, he laughed and said that we must be fine with the temperature. I have noticed that Greeks are very passionate about their conversations. Men throw their hands up and raise their voices as they carry on a civil conversation. This is something Americans don’t do. We made be loud, this I know is true, but if we were to talk in that tone, bystanders would think that a fight was about to break out. The long chats at meals are a Greek-ism I would like to bring back with me. It is soothing to enjoy the food and the good company. I have enjoyed the Greek food and plan on cooking for friends and family when I get home, however, it won’t be anything compared to the local’s cooking. I feel that my non-Greek side comes out when I say that I couldn’t eat lamb or rabbit like the Greeks do. It has been an experience to allow my pallet to grow, but I like to stick with chicken and fish.The Greeks have adopted an American into their welcoming community. I am seen as the American in their eyes, but the Greeks are my extended family.
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