It is our last day at the Myconian Ambassador Hotel, and I am feeling wistful. I have grown attached to the staff here: sensitive Virginia; efficient Konstantinos; enthusiastic George, and; The Philosopher’s serious ways. I feel like when I leave the hotel, I will be leaving friends behind. Of course, the staff may be happy to see our backsides as we leave. I don’t think that Deke likes to admit it, but he has enjoyed conversations with George in the mornings at breakfast. I’m out on our balcony looking at the Aegean. It is likely that I will never experience this exact view again; it is bittersweet. One of the staff, Nicholas, drove us to the ferry and helped us with our luggage. He is a muscular man, and besides being a gentleman, it appears to ... read more

I got an early start because I needed to catch the ferry from Mykonos Town to Delos. Deke stayed behind at the hotel because his idea of sight-seeing is a private tour with a hired guide; I’m a bit hardier than Deke in this regard. I noticed that there were a lot of Americans on the ferry—commensurately more than I have noticed at The Myconian Ambassador Hotel. The ferry ride was pleasant, but crowded. After buying a ticket to enter the ruins, I saw the following sign regarding the rules: “It is strictly forbidden to: . . . .” We hardly ever speak so forcefully regarding rules in the United States. Maybe if we did, more people would obey them. Delos has very rocky terrain, and I couldn’t see much plant life, though I noticed some ... read more

Thus far our stay at the Myconian Ambassador Hotel has been very pleasant. Virginia, who I believe is the concierge, is a demure and lovely person. She has dark eyes which are very mysterious, like she holds a lot of feeling and information which others may never recognize. Because all of the seven members of my family, my husband, and my sister-in-law all have blue eyes, it is familial to me. It is the brown-eyed people who hold the clandestine for me. Her eyes are like my Greek friend, Eleni’s—they reflect a depth, which is hard to comprehend. She has been wonderful to Deke and me. I told her that Deke wasn’t easy to please, but that she was doing a great job taking care of him. I told her that I was easier than Deke, ... read more

Our driver Nicholas told us that October is a good time to come to Mykonos. It is still warm, and the large crowds of summer are gone making it is easy to get reservations at the good restaurants. We are staying at The Mykonian Ambassador Hotel. Its architecture reflects the region, a white boxy style with colorful shutters and doors. The interior is also mostly white, and provides a sort of pure, monastic feeling. The Mykonian Ambassador Hotel is also a thalassotherapy spa (sea water therapy spa). Upon our arrival the staff greeted us warmly with drinks and showed us to our room. It was small by American standards, but cozy with a large balcony and private Jacuzzi. The views from the balcony of the Aegean are beautiful. There were palm trees near our balcony, and ... read more

On October 8, 2014, my husband and I leave for Greece to celebrate our three-year anniversary. We will spend one week on the island of Mykonos, one week on the island of Santorini, and one week in Athens. I am “armed” only with a new camera for my birthday, and a love of writing. I undertake this endeavor dubiously, but with enthusiasm. I hope to share with you not only photographs, but my impressions. A wonderful Greek in America has graced my life. Eleni Kourti, actress and writer, was the first friend I made in New York. My boyfriend at the time was a NYU professor, who insisted that Eleni and I should meet. Feeling a bit sassy and independent, I resisted, wanting to choose my own friends. Upon my boyfriend’s insistence, I called Eleni. I ... read more