What a wonderful reflection on your time in Greece! I especially enjoyed the stories about the local markets, traditional food, and the people you met along the way. The part about Kythira's migration history was fascinating too. It's those everyday connections and local stories that make a place feel so much more meaningful than a sightseeing destination. Thank you for sharing such a rich glimpse of Greece! 😊
Appreciate you taking the time to read some of my stories, thanks for your kind words. I think any ancestral home exploring time can be incredibly special… so important we make space for this in our lives. And yes, Greece… so magic!
It's a pleasure reading your stories, Josh! 😊 The connection to your family roots makes this journey especially meaningful. Looking forward to following more of your adventures!
Love your words Josh - you painted a beautiful picture of yourself immersed in your ancestry home. I could taste the food and feel the buzz! So beautiful 💙
Such kind words, Alison, thank you! You know me too well… in amongst the grown up storytelling, there’s always room for a bit of cheek.
I stumbled upon the local Kythirian Choir on the island’s Facebook Group page last night. Not sticking around for the audition this year, but who knows what lies ahead (might bring my ear plugs along to rehearsal). x
I love this Josh. As a fellow child of recent immigration (my grandmother) it tugged at my heart and my longed for country: The Netherlands. We all carry the places our ancestors passed on to us, recent or not. But the ones we grew up with, the accents, the food, the culture stay with us even if we grew up somewhere else. We can find it again. We just have to return to our ancestral home and it’s waiting for us. Even if some of the cherished aunts and uncles have passed on. The cousins are still waiting for you to return. I hope they’re waiting for me as well. It’s been too long.
Hi Kara 👋🏻, you are right on point - growing up with my Yia Yia’s so very Greek accent was my normal, as was eating all her cooking and baking… surely every other child my age was enjoying the same eats?!
I hope I’ve planted seeds for a return visit to your ancestral home? Even more so if you have family awaiting your visit… if it’s a maybe, that’s worth my time sharing my story. Thanks so much for your read! 🫶🏻
I do have family waiting for me. Cousins! And I hear you on your Yia Yia’s accent and cooking. To me I did not know my Dutch Oma’s European soups and foods were different until later. Nor did I much notice her accent. Now that it’s gone, I long to hear it again. Unfortunately the Dutch are now too good at English and their accents are perfect. She spoke English with a French accent almost. From a time gone by before World War II when you learned French first in Dutch schools and English second. I think it must have been that their English teacher was also their French teacher. From one child of an immigrant family to another, there is so much comfort in your writing for me. I have not been back in over 10 years. I need to go.
Oh Josh that was beautiful. So full of your love for the country and your time with people. Definitely full of your voice. I have so enjoyed reading about your time here. Thank you so much for taking the time (slower travel slower writing = great) to share these moments with the Substack community. And thank you for the kindness in your messages. I will just as eagerly look for your posts from other parts of the world, even sanitised Switzerland, but most of all I hope we one day meet for καφεδάκι.
Σας ευχαριστώ Rowena… such generous words from a journalist whose well-travelled writings and life journey I admire. I was saying to my significant other this morning over coffee and Πασχαλινά κουλουράκια how this chapter has required my biggest writing pants so far… we’ve loved every moment of it.
So well written Josh . You’ve made some real connections with the people & the land . Some incredible photography Josh ,and I trust the couple of photos of your Papou( my father) that I sent have contributed to our family history.
Thanks Maria for joining with me in this exploration of our family’s journey, and for taking the time to share photos, most appreciated. Bringing these stories together, I hope has brought the family a little closer together. And learning that Eleni in Potamos is ensuring our stories continue to be told, is extra special. Here’s to what lies ahead. 🇬🇷
Wonderful Josh as ever. Perhaps your idea of a get together in Kythira would be a lot of fun [ if we are still around ] Take care and enjoy the next experience. Love Dad and Lizzie XXX
A Covid wedding that never quite happened, perhaps a milestone birthday? Maybe we don’t even need a reason to make this ‘big Greek bash’ get together happen. Love that the seed is planted… 💙
What a wonderful reflection on your time in Greece! I especially enjoyed the stories about the local markets, traditional food, and the people you met along the way. The part about Kythira's migration history was fascinating too. It's those everyday connections and local stories that make a place feel so much more meaningful than a sightseeing destination. Thank you for sharing such a rich glimpse of Greece! 😊
Appreciate you taking the time to read some of my stories, thanks for your kind words. I think any ancestral home exploring time can be incredibly special… so important we make space for this in our lives. And yes, Greece… so magic!
It's a pleasure reading your stories, Josh! 😊 The connection to your family roots makes this journey especially meaningful. Looking forward to following more of your adventures!
Love your words Josh - you painted a beautiful picture of yourself immersed in your ancestry home. I could taste the food and feel the buzz! So beautiful 💙
Oooh, thanks Gubs, love knowing I was able to share this part of my life with you. Greece is calling your name… 🇬🇷💙
Great, now I'm hungry and have to settle for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. THANKS SO MUCH, JOSH!
😂 I’m sure you’re very familiar with rubbing the occasional nose in tasty eats! Especially with Italy on your upcoming itinerary. 🍕🍝🇮🇹
There is so much joy, energy, empathy and humanity in this and all your posts. And laugh-out-loud humour. Love love hearing of your Greek life.
Such kind words, Alison, thank you! You know me too well… in amongst the grown up storytelling, there’s always room for a bit of cheek.
I stumbled upon the local Kythirian Choir on the island’s Facebook Group page last night. Not sticking around for the audition this year, but who knows what lies ahead (might bring my ear plugs along to rehearsal). x
I love this Josh. As a fellow child of recent immigration (my grandmother) it tugged at my heart and my longed for country: The Netherlands. We all carry the places our ancestors passed on to us, recent or not. But the ones we grew up with, the accents, the food, the culture stay with us even if we grew up somewhere else. We can find it again. We just have to return to our ancestral home and it’s waiting for us. Even if some of the cherished aunts and uncles have passed on. The cousins are still waiting for you to return. I hope they’re waiting for me as well. It’s been too long.
Hi Kara 👋🏻, you are right on point - growing up with my Yia Yia’s so very Greek accent was my normal, as was eating all her cooking and baking… surely every other child my age was enjoying the same eats?!
I hope I’ve planted seeds for a return visit to your ancestral home? Even more so if you have family awaiting your visit… if it’s a maybe, that’s worth my time sharing my story. Thanks so much for your read! 🫶🏻
I do have family waiting for me. Cousins! And I hear you on your Yia Yia’s accent and cooking. To me I did not know my Dutch Oma’s European soups and foods were different until later. Nor did I much notice her accent. Now that it’s gone, I long to hear it again. Unfortunately the Dutch are now too good at English and their accents are perfect. She spoke English with a French accent almost. From a time gone by before World War II when you learned French first in Dutch schools and English second. I think it must have been that their English teacher was also their French teacher. From one child of an immigrant family to another, there is so much comfort in your writing for me. I have not been back in over 10 years. I need to go.
Hey Josh Murray-opoli, great read as always! any time I go somewhere I’m going to have to scroll through your page to look for recommendations
😂 thanks Lex! I’m looking forward to what lies ahead… might be the perfect time to book your around the world ticket.
Might be 👀👀
Oh Josh that was beautiful. So full of your love for the country and your time with people. Definitely full of your voice. I have so enjoyed reading about your time here. Thank you so much for taking the time (slower travel slower writing = great) to share these moments with the Substack community. And thank you for the kindness in your messages. I will just as eagerly look for your posts from other parts of the world, even sanitised Switzerland, but most of all I hope we one day meet for καφεδάκι.
Σας ευχαριστώ Rowena… such generous words from a journalist whose well-travelled writings and life journey I admire. I was saying to my significant other this morning over coffee and Πασχαλινά κουλουράκια how this chapter has required my biggest writing pants so far… we’ve loved every moment of it.
Looking forward to that ☕️ 🇬🇷.
Oh dear I'm sad you're departing Kythera. So beautiful and I've loved
all your stories ❤️
Σας ευχαριστώ Vassy 💙 I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface of our ancestry. Thanks for taking the time to read my/our words.
Have you booked your flights yet? 🛩️
Dreaming of it..yes!
So well written Josh . You’ve made some real connections with the people & the land . Some incredible photography Josh ,and I trust the couple of photos of your Papou( my father) that I sent have contributed to our family history.
Thankyou for connecting me to Kythera again 🥰🌸
Thanks Maria for joining with me in this exploration of our family’s journey, and for taking the time to share photos, most appreciated. Bringing these stories together, I hope has brought the family a little closer together. And learning that Eleni in Potamos is ensuring our stories continue to be told, is extra special. Here’s to what lies ahead. 🇬🇷
Wonderful Josh as ever. Perhaps your idea of a get together in Kythira would be a lot of fun [ if we are still around ] Take care and enjoy the next experience. Love Dad and Lizzie XXX
A Covid wedding that never quite happened, perhaps a milestone birthday? Maybe we don’t even need a reason to make this ‘big Greek bash’ get together happen. Love that the seed is planted… 💙