Family

Kalispera Kai Kali Vrathia

September 14th, 2024

Good morning, Rich.

I’ve been up since around 3 or 4 AM this morning.  My little girl has been up since around 4 in the morning, and who can blame her?  She’s probably just as jet lagged as I am!  So, I took her out walking around early in the morning, and it hit me.  I can no longer say Kalimera to you, for returned home a few days ago.

I know it’s home, and the US will always be my home, but these Greeks, they were good to me.  And let me tell ya, Rich, I’m already missing the heck out of them, and for a while, I just won’t be my regular self.

These guys I worked with… Let’s just say I’d bet you get along with em’ just fine, sort of like how we get along with our buddy Mike.  Because no matter how much of a dingus he can be, by golly, he’s still family, and we still love em’!  And that’s the same with these guys as well.  They were family to me, and I loved them as if they were my brothers and sisters.  I just hope I get to see them all again, whether it’s this life or the next.

I put together a little slideshow of the memories I had in Greece.  You’ve probably seen most of them, but it’s a good summary of my time here.  Just looking at it and listening to the music brings a tear to my eye.

Rich, I’m not one to get sentimental, but I’m not one to lie either, and the truth is, I’m going to miss this place. The people, the functional madness that somehow keeps things running, the beauty of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, the white and blue buildings on every Greek island, Taking my son to the cafe on a Saturday Morning for some spanakopita, A cappuccinos and lattes for $2.50–Rich, let me tell ya, I went to Starbucks this morning for a latte… over 6 dollars and 50 cents! I couldn’t believe it! And the service was terrible too! I walked in, and they didn’t serve me for almost 5 minutes–let alone acknowledge I was even there! Last time I go there–See, I haven’t even been here a full day and I’m already worked up!

I suppose the moral of the story is, we have it pretty good in the States and like you, I’m darn proud to be an American, but at the same time, I can really learn to appreciate different cultures, especially ones like Greece. After all, they did influence a lot of what became of western society, so we have a lot to thank them for. And if you ask any Greek, they’ll swear that every word in the English language comes from Greek words (and that’s the honest truth, not just a joke from the Big Fat Greek Wedding movie)!

We’re home for about a month or so, and then it’s off to our next adventure, South Korea.  So far, I hear good things, and it’ll be great for the kids.  Dennis Rodman raves about the North, but from what I hear, it’s hard to get in.  Apparently, it’s so good, that most people don’t ever leave, but you know me, I’m not really into those types of crowds who think there better than everybody, so if Mr. Kim Jong Un wants to be exclusive, then so be it.  I’ll take my money where I’m welcome.

I got one last token of appreciation for my Greek travels coming your way.  I know how much of a coin collector you are, so I have this one coming your way.  I know it’s not Navy, but the Marines aren’t so bad, and if you serve the country in uniform, then you’re alright with me.

So, although our Greek adventures have concluded, we have some new adventures just around the corner.  Korea will be different, and it surely won’t be Greece, but I think it will be good, and I’m looking forward to sharing the stories with you.

So until next time, as the Greek’s say, “Kalispera kai kali vrathia!”

And of course, I can’t end this without a clip from one of the all time most famous Greeks, Zorba!

Oh, and when you do make it out there, Rich, make sure they teach you how to dance…

Very respectfully,

Zack

PS: If you enjoyed reading the story of our Greek Adventures, please consider checking out a copy of my book “The Significance of a Birthday”. It also makes a great birthday gift, not just for children, but for people of all ages!

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Kalimera! Spring 2024

May 19th, 2024 – The Colossal Weight of Vacation

Well Rich, it turns out that vacations aren’t quite the same when you have 2 kids…

I know what you’re thinkin’. “Wow, that’s a nice picture!” Well, let me tell ya, it was a miracle we were able to get that one, because we just got back from this place called Rhodes and I feel like I need a vacation from the vacation!  That trip wore me out!  I mean, when you go on vacation, you’re supposed to be sitting on the beach, drinking a few beers, hanging out by the pool, eating a bunch of fancy food, and all in all relaxing the days away.  I even tried to make it easy by staying at a resort near the water for a couple of nights, and well, apparently, that was too much to ask.  No kidding, for the entire time I was there, it was like I was doing everything I could to prevent the little ones from getting us kicked off the island!  And finally, after all the screaming and running around and one is finally ready for a nap, it’s the other’s turn to wreak chaos.  Geez Louis!  I seriously could not catch a break!

The one and only picture I could take before all hell broke loose!

Oh, and to make matters even worse, the night before, I accidently ate some bad lamb and ended up doing some barfing all night!  I knew I should’ve listened to Niko about ordering lamb from a restaurant on Easter…

And that’s another thing.  Last year, we made a big hoopla about Orthodox Easter.  But since we were flying out on a vacation the next day, we settled for the Easter bunny this year.

Anyways, remember how I told you how much the Greeks hate the Turks?  Well, apparently back then, it was even worse, because the big deal with this place was since it’s so close to Turkey, they built a giant castle on the edge of the island so they could shoot at them and fight them off whenever they came by.  And well, I suppose it was a pretty good castle, because it’s still standing today.  And actually, if the kiddos were behaving for a minute or so, I could actually enjoy the place a little bit.  I mean, they had shops inside, restaurants, museums, and all sorts of other medieval stuff.  Even a few places to get a beer or two.  And you know me, Rich.  I’m not the fanciest guy in the world, but I’m not a barbarian either, so if it came down to it, given the right conditions, I could spend a few more nights in a place like this.

Oh, and here’s some smarty pants talking all about the island.

Oh, and when I was reading up on the place, there was also supposed to be this giant statue called the Colossus where this dude stood on each side of the bay and all the ships that came in had to go under him.  Apparently, it was so big, that they considered it a “wonder of the ancient world.”

But, when we got there, he was nowhere to be seen, and when I asked around, the word was it fell down a couple thousand years ago or so, which in the end, I think I’m alright with.

Not that it wasn’t impressive and all, but can you imagine having back in your navy days pulling into port and having to go under some guy’s dirty crotch?  What kind of sick mind devised such a thing?  And what if you had kids on the boat?  You’re telling me they were forced to be exposed to that?  Den Nomizo Taki!

Good riddance, Statue of Colossus.  I for one am glad you were toppled years ago.  And now that I think about it, if I was a Turk and had to go under that thing, I’d be pretty pissed off at the Greeks too!

Sheesh.

June 23rd, 2024 – The Hot Hot Heat Calls For Hot Sausage!

Kalimera, Rich!

I guess today is officially the first day of summer, but if you were over here, you’d swear it’d been summer for the last few months now!  Holy moly did it get cookin’!  So much that we just had to get out of town for a little bit.  And this time, I’m glad we did!

Now Rich, you know I won’t be here forever, so if you come and I’m not here, you gotta meet this guy Niko.  Not only is he my best bud over here, but he is a grill master.  Just take a look at him on the bbq!  It’s not every day you come across a rock star like that!

He invited us to his villa in this place called Agio that’s on the coast of the Gulf of Corinth.  Not only did he make us lambchops, which is my favorite over here, but and he had this sausage…  You know me, Rich.  I’ve been to many a sausage fest in my life and tasted all different kinds.  But his… I don’t think I can remember a better tasting sausage if I’m honest with you.  It was just so flavorful and juicy… I mean, it was like a party in my mouth!  I’m tellin’ ya, you gotta try it.  So, when you head over, give me a heads up and I’ll get you in touch with Niko so you can taste his sausage.  You won’t regret it.

The kids will have some fun too!

And I’ll tell ya, we were lucky to have it as well!  That day they had record temperatures in the Peloponnese along with several wildfire alerts, which happened to be the day that these two hunks decided to go to grace the beach with their presence.  Coincidence?  I think not!!!

We also made it down to Kalamata, and I know what you’re thinking.  “Hey, isn’t that where those olives I buy at Costco are from?”  And the answer to your question is, yes.  But if I told you we went down for the olives, I’d be lying.  Sure, they’re great and all, but a three-year-old could care less about some slimy olives.  All he wants is trains.  Train, trains, trains.

So, we went to the biggest train park in Greece, on the hottest weekend of the year.  I’m glad he was having a good time, because I was struggling!  I think I went through about 3 or 4 coke zeros and Schweppes sodas just to get through the afternoon!

Though you can complain about the heat, you can’t complain about the views.  This was our dinner that night.  I don’t care what Mike says.  You can’t beat this!

Part 13: Summer 2024

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Kalimera! Fall 2023

December 6th, 2023 – What’s with all the Olive Oil???

It was a relatively calm Sunday morning, at least as calm as it can be for a wife in labor.  For the most part, there was a lot of waiting.  And waiting.  And… “Hey doc, it’s around lunch time.  Do you think I have time to grab a bite to eat?”

“Oh yea, the baby probably won’t be here for at least a few more hours, so go ahead and run up to the cafeteria.”

“Ok, great,” I think to myself, as any normal man would having just been permitted to eat food.  I make my way up there, and as I’m causally strolling through the café with a pizza-like pastry in my hand, “because why not?  We have a couple hours to kill, so it’s not like I’m stressed.  But wait, what’s this?”  As I’m about to pay, my phone rings.  It’s the doctor.  “…Hello?”

“Hi Zack, the pregnancy is moving a bit faster than we originally thought, so no need to rush, but as soon as you finish your food, go ahead and come back down to the ward.”

“Sure, no problem.  Again, not going to stress, just going to finish this pizza snack and head back down.  I mean, you heard the guy, right?  No need to rush.  So no, I’m not going to—”

Not even a minute passed, and the doctor is standing in front of me.  “Zack, the baby’s coming!  We gotta go!”  Apparently, things were changing at an exponential rate!  Or the doctor’s wife, who also was serving as the midwife, had a word or two with him and made him act accordingly.  But long story short, I scarfed my pizza down, ran to the ward, put my scrubs on, and got ready for prime time.

We’re working through the process, but 2:30 rolls around and my wife is in need of some extra motivation.  “So, Zack says he’s going to buy you a new purse if the baby is delivered by 3:00,” the doctor says to my wife.

“Wait a minute… purse?  Who said anything about a—”

“What kind of purse?” she asks.

“A Coach purse!” I quickly blurt.

“Did you say Channel?”

“No, I said Coach, A—”

“Oh my gosh, Channel, I can’t believe it!”

“No, not Channel, NO—hey, what’s with the olive oil?  Why are you pouring it—JUST HOLD ON A SEC—”

So, at approximately 2:58 PM on October 22nd, our daughter Teigan Hazel was born.

It wasn’t long before she was in my arms and I was doing my best to welcome her into the world.  “You know who she looks like,” asked the doctor’s wife as I rocked her back and forth.

Suddenly, my heart stopped, and a cloud of anxiety grew heavy over my mind.  “Oh no, please don’t say Rich… please don’t say Rich…”

“She looks like her father!”

“Phew!”  Talk about a huge relief!”  And Mike, I think she was right.  I mean, I know my little dude’s a good lookin’ guy, but her.  I can’t even!

And you know, at first when I discovered I was having a girl, I was a little worried, especially with all the bad boys in the world.  But after seeing her face, I gotta say, I think I’m going to be all right.  Just promise me that if anything happens or if I’m in need of a pinch, that you and Uncle Rich will be there to look after her!  I mean, I am a little worried about her spending too much time with Rich, and God forbid, becoming a Cowboys fan.  That would be one grumpy baby!  But dang it, there aren’t that many men I trust in the world anymore, and if it came down to it, I know I could count on him!

But Mike, let me tell ya, she already knows!  I think she’s asleep and ready for bed… nope!  She wants to be in daddy’s arms.  And I try to sit down for a short while… nope!  She wants to be standing!  She’s barely just a girl, but acting like a woman who knows what she wants and won’t settle for anything less!  Pray for me!

And don’t worry, we’re still getting the little guy some love!  Just last week, he got all dressed up for the embassy Halloween party!  I think he came out pretty well too.  Even snagged a picture with the ambassador and the second in command!  Not bad for a 2 year old!

The holidays have been keeping us busy, trying to keep up with the little ones and all.  Took a nice little trip to this place called Kalavryta, which I guess is where people go to ski in Greece, except you wouldn’t know it from the looks of the place.  I mean, we’re getting to December and where’s all the snow?! At least the farm we stayed at was nice.

Oh, and our little one is starting to figure who this Santa guy is and what he brings to the table, so we’re trying to get him in the spirit a little early this year. They set up a Christmas village right after Thanksgiving, and well, all I can say is the Greeks don’t shy away from chaos! Regardless of the stress we went through, we had a great time.

And speaking of Santa… you guys remember what happened last year.  I can’t lie, I’m getting a little nervous.  I mean, there’s not many who can do the job like it’s supposed to and… well, I don’t want to spoil the mood for anybody, for we should be rejoicing!

So don’t be shy!  For all his faults, our good buddy Rich would send me lots of updates.  And I don’t want to say you’re slacking or anything, but you are Magic Mike after all, so I know you can make it happen!

Respectfully,

-Zack

Part 10: A Kalimera Christmas 2023!

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