I thought it was about time to get back in the swing of things and give everyone a bit of an update on my current adventure.
As I'm writing this I'm watching the most incredible sunset I have ever seen, in Santorini, Greece. This island is just breathtaking and should be on everyones bucket list. It is amazing here. The sunset is the most incredible burst of colours, it is like the sahara desserts orange sand merging with baby pinks and violets and then the most gorgeous blue before melting into the blue of the ocean. While the actual sun turns into an amazing shade of red that I have never seen anywhere else in the world. All this while eating the best Greek salad and enjoying live Greek music.
My new family that I am working with are a greek family with 18 month old twins (boy and a girl) and a four year old girl. They own two hotels, one here in Santorini and another in Athens. The babies are just great, cheeky, sweet and cute as ever. Their older sister was the worst case of wrong first impression I've ever encountered. She was this sweet little angel the first two days, then her true self came through, and good grief! She was no angel anymore. Not to worry though, with the introduction of the naughty chair and some much needed boundaries, the well mannered angel is almost here permanently now! So I am very happy with my three new children, busy but happy. I've had a few issues with the parents which is a first for me. I've been so lucky with all my families I've previously worked with. They have all been wonderful and we've not had any issues. Things are not great, but I'm managing. Thank goodness for the amazing scenery or I just might have called it quits already!
I arrived in Greece in early May, and spent two weeks exploring Athens before I started work. Athens wasn't what I was expecting at all. When I first got here I didn't think I would want to stay. The city centre is not all that nice, very touristy and everybody speaks English, which I don't like. I loved the markets though and the museums and all the historical ancient greek stuff. The food in Greece is fantastic as well . It's all so fresh and simple and just delicious. Plus the olive oil. Oh my goodness! The oil is what makes the meal! I didn't know olive oil could be so good! Aussies back home, you really don't know what you are missing! Italians and Greeks know their stuff when it comes to olive oil.
I'm finding that a lot of stereotypical stuff about Greece to be mostly true. They are passionate, with huge families and they love to eat and they all love their football (soccer). I really like the older generation here in Greece too. They seem to be so happy. The men play back gammon out in the streets in the afternoons (after siesta), the women (who seem to hit the age of 55 and suddenly shrink, and what they loose vertically they gain horizontally) they all sit around gossiping and preparing food. The evenings are my favourite time of day. It's when all the bus loads of tourists have gone and you are just left with the locals and you can really feel a sense of community and family. Thats also the time when people start taking their donkeys home. These poor donkeys in Santorini, I feel so sorry for them. They have to walk up and down hundreds of steep steps in 40˚ heat, all the while, carrying fat tourists on their backs. They where harnesses with little bells on them and when they are all walking along they sound like christmas reindeer.
I've picked up on a bit of Greek. I can sort of follow the conversations that happen at home. I haven't really put in much effort to learning Greek, as unlike in Russia, just about everybody speaks English here. I am able to read the alphabet and I know most of the basics. I do occasionally get yes and no mixed up, which can be awkward in some situations. When I walk into shops I greet the shop keepers in Greek, and they have all continued to speak to me in Greek, because I say hello and good morning really well. They have all said "You confused me, you sound like a greek.... but you're not" which is rather flattering to hear but also makes me feel like a bit of an impostor as well.
Our house in Athens is very modern. It has four floors, (an empty) pool, an elevator and three gardens. We live in the posh end of town on top of a huge hill (that I have to push the double stroller up twice a day). You can see most of the city from our house and the ocean, which is a view hard to get bored of.
In Santorini we are staying in two apartments that are side by side. We are almost right at the very far end of the island (the side of the island with the best sunsets). Where we are staying isn't all that nice, but we are away at the beach and the pool every day so it doesn't really matter.
Next month we will go to the families summer house in Porto heli. We spent a weekend there a little while ago. It is a very pretty drive to get there. The house is not very child friendly from a nanny point of view, but gorgeous from any other point of view.
At the end of this month I am having a weekend away by myself. I will be spending it in Barcelona and you would not believe how excited I am about FINALLY going to Spain (even if it's just a couple of days!). I made up a little count down calendar some weeks ago, and crossing off each day is very satisfying.
Greece has been nice to live in so far but I am very much missing Moscow and the people I left behind in Moscow. I'm already planning out my itinerary for a return visit one day, I didn't manage to see St Petersburg while I was living there so I am keen to go see it, plus check in on my kids!
I'm feeling super home sick for Australia too, although not the winter part, I had more then enough of winter in Russia. This is the longest period of time I've been away with out seeing anyone from home though, which is proving to be tough somedays. I must say, I'm missing being whisked away back to Oz every three months for visa reasons (even if it was 30 hours of travel). Though, it won't be too long until Christmas is upon us and I'll be home to see everyone.
So that is about all for now. What's happening with you? I haven't heard from some off you in quite a while! Email me people!
Missing everyone, as I always am.
Can't wait to catch up with everyone in December.
lots of love, hugs and kisses
Ya Sas!
xxxxx
