Potami (The River)

You, Sophia, and I (Mommy) have been in Greece now for about three weeks now. We stopped in Athens to visit Mary (your Nouna, Godmother, & Mommy’s cousin) & Kosta, her boyfriend----and to sleep off some of our jet lag. In Athens, you requested to go to the “kounes” (park) and after you played for Mommy to buy you a grilled corn on the cob & some cotton candy (like I did last year). I was amazed at your memories of our trip to Greece last summer. Mary was able to drop us off at the park for you to enjoy some playtime outdoors. We also stopped by the local vendor for cotton candy that you requested. After leaving Athens, we’ve enjoyed the majority of our vacation in Zitsa at Yiayia’s & Papou’s home with many day trips to other places like Ano Ravenia, Corfu, Igoumentisa, Ioannina, etc. When we first arrived in Zitsa, Mommy told you that we were going to the market (agora), the mini stores here in the village, to buy a few items. We started walking hand in hand uphill from Yiayia’s & Papou’s house when you said, “When we go to Kroger….” I had to laugh. Soon enough, you realized that there was no Kroger here in the village but only little stores that have a few necessities and fruits/vegetables. Additionally, one evening a week or more had passed…Mommy was showing Yiayia pictures of you in Tennessee. I was telling her about your Princess dress from Ross. You smiled (knowing the answer) and asked, “Exei Ross etho?” Does Greece have a Ross? You were beginning to get acquainted with the terrain and atmosphere here in the village—and quickly noticing the differences in the village & Greece from our home in Dyersburg. Today, when we were resting on the bed for your afternoon siesta (sometimes Mommy joins you for a nap & other times, I’m just not able to nap so I read or write like today), you were talking away—and you laid your head on my belly and said, “Next year when we come….” I had to laugh again. I asked you if you liked coming here and you said yes. It’s always a toss of the coin whether to come or not with the rising cost of airfare and the time away from our home & Daddy. Yet, there are always so many benefits too! I love the fact that you are able to experience & enjoy a different culture and pace of life even at a young age and I love, love, love to hear you pull together phrases and words from the Greek language and use them as you communicate with others here including Yiayia & Papou. Today, after a church service at the Monastery of the Holy Fathers (in a secluded area past Zitsa), Papou was asking us in Greek if we wanted to go to the potami (river) or someplace else. Although, he wasn’t specifically asking you, it was you who piped up quickly with a response: “Potami. Papou, pame sto potami. River. Grandfather, let’s go to the river.”  I had to laugh yet, again. You embrace the world around you and the language around you with such ease & grace. Watching you learn & grow brings Mommy, many unexpected moments of joy. I love you as fiercely as the river’s currents.

Lighting candles at the church with Yiayia & Papou...

Always eager to see what's going on around you....

Sophia

The river below the cafe's deck.....

Mommy & Sophia

Papou & Sophia

........always an adventure with you! When you were lighting candles at the church, you said that it was "for Daddy!" At another church, you found two candles stuck together (melted wax had merged the two candles) and you said that they were "Mommy & Sophia" since we were always together! Oh! How I love these little moments of joy with you---you are entertaining the owners of the hotel/cafe that we're visiting in Zitsa as Mommy is finishing this post! Always "charming" others.......