Things to Love About Greece

The Warm Welcomes

Usually, I have to wait until I'm well beyond the airport for this one, and back at a favorite hotel or being greeted by friends. And sometimes, in overly-touristed areas, I have to initiate it by giving a good Greek welcome to a good Greek. That's usually all it takes - a smile, a happy greeting, and suddenly the suppressed natural xenophilia - love of strangers - comes bursting forth.

The Sound of Worry Beads Clicking Together

If you love Greece, you know this one well. I find the sound of worry beads clicking together very comforting, and I love visually 'collecting' as many of them as I can. I usually don't take a photograph because it seems too intrusive to barge in on that traditional kinetic meditation. I usually hear them first in the baggage claim area, as we wait for our luggage, and I know that I'm really back in Greece.

Greek Drivers

All right, I admit it. This same item appears on my "10 Things I Don't Quite Love About Greece". But you have to admire the sheer crazy vigor of your average Greek driver, so accustomed to narrow roads, crowded streets, and regular visits to the side-view-mirror replacement shop. In a sick way, I even admire the tough taxi drivers who are still desperately trying to resist modern tracking systems of passengers and prices.