greek-islands

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! Summer 2023

June 30th, 2023 – I guess I need to go on a diet…

Magic Mike,

There’s always something… I don’t know why.  I mean, look at me?  Am I the type of person that causes a lot of drama?  I don’t think so.  But apparently, the people in our lives just like to stir the pot, whether it’s Russia and Ukraine, or Rich talking trash about your Eagles.  It’s unavoidable.

Take my buddy Kostas for example.  I get back from about a month or so of training back in the States.  It was a nice trip and I got to spend some quality time back home.  And being that I had a little per diem, ok, so I went out to eat a few times and indulged in some of my favorite dishes.  And conveniently enough, there was a McDonalds right down the street from my hotel, so sue me, I had a couple quarter pounders when I was back home.  Big deal!

Anyways, I step in the office on my first day back, and Kostas has the gall to question me about my weight.  And you’d think somebody would have the decency to address the topic in a sensitive way, especially in our day and age.  But nooooooooooo, not Kostas.  There was not subtleness to his approach.  He looked at me, threw his hands up in the air, shot me a look of disgust and said, “Dude, what’s the matter with you?  You’re fat!!”

Let me tell ya Mike, these Greeks, I love em’ to death, but they don’t beat around the bush.

So, now I’m running a little more and trying to watch what I eat, thanks to the father of all taki boys, Kostas.  And despite the barrage of insults I’m receiving over my body, I at least have one thing going in my favor.

Wait… what’s this in front of my house???

Every Friday outside my house, we have a farmer’s market, or as they call, a “Laiki”.  And I’m not going to lie to you Mike, it’s pretty awesome.  I step out of my house and I can get any kind of fruit or vegetable I want.  Onions, potatoes, lettuce, eggs, strawberries, peaches, apples, oranges, you name it, they have it!  Oh, and they even have an olive guy who will sell me a kilo of Kalamata olives for around 5 or 6 bucks.  Imagine coming home with a kilo of olives from Whole Foods… talk about a king’s ransom!  Not here though.  Walk down the street with 20 euros in your pocket you’re literally treated as one!

But as good as they treat me, I’m nothing compared to the little man.  Mike, I’m tellin’ ya, he pretty much gets the celebrity treatment every time we walk out the door.  The women are always giving him blessings, and the younger ones are blowing him kisses and waving to him, and anything he wants, he gets!  A banana here, a cucumber there, and the broccoli guy’s always hooking us up with a couple extra carrots or a head of cabbage.  And the potato guy… well, he got a little too weird and too touchy for our liking, so we don’t go around him any longer.  But the rest of them, they’re all right.

We got to take another trip to the island Paros recently too… before I got, as the Greeks and Kostas would say, “Lipos.”  I mean, it was a nice getaway and all, but a lot of the islands are starting to look the same.  Which hey, I’m not complaining, as long as they have restaurants like these on them!

I’ll take a weekend on a Greek island any day, especially if it gives me a respite from the humiliation I receive from Kostas!

-Zack

August 5th, 2023 – The Gerald Ford Comes to Town

Magic Mike, 

I know, it’s been a while since I’ve given you a life update, and you’re probably thinking, “man oh man, that Zack guy finally forgot about us…”  Well, that’s far from the truth, for it turns out, I’ve been pretty busy these last couple of months, with trips, trainings, and visits.  Speaking of visits, guess who made a stop into Greece…

That’s right, the ol’ Gerald Ford came in.  So of course I had to pay my respects.

I can’t lie, it felt pretty cool rolling up there with my colleagues all enamored by such a beautiful war machine.  While I got to sit back and be all, “yea, I worked on that thing.”  But in all seriousness, that was quite the sight to see knowing all the blood sweat and tears that went into getting this thing deployed. And this was maybe the best part!

That’s right, that’s the system I worked on!  Unfortunately, they wouldn’t turn it on for me.  “But this was my baby!  C’mon, you can trust me…” but the good people of the CVN 78 politely ushered me along, and I couldn’t help but respect the courtesy and attitude.  I made sure to get me a ship coin or two, and I was even able to get my hands on the Chief’s Mess coin as well.  However, that one I gave to a former chief who works at the embassy.  He didn’t have the chance to get to visit, so it was the least I could do.

Just makin’ sure no funny business is going on…

And although that’s some pretty good news, I have something that even tops that.  Check this out!

Looks like we’re going to have another little Zack running around in the next couple of months!  And this time, it’s a girl!  I’ll tell ya Mike, I’m excited for her, but now it’s got me thinking, with all those good looking cats in the world, you know, the smooth talkers like Rich in his younger days that all the ladies go crazy over, I’m a little worried.  I’m gonna have to start doing some more pushups and getting rid of this dad-bod I have, cause there ain’t no way I’m going let any of those turkey’s near my daughter unless they’re a straight-up good citizen of the world.  I’m talking they better know the bible front to back, clean cut, no tattoos, and when they go out, they better bring her back home by 8 PM by the latest, because if it’s a second later, oh boy, it’s game over!  It’ll be a trip to Uncle Rich’s for a good ol’ Cowboy’s butt whippin! 

Speaking of our friend Rich, he sent me some pictures of the 05V baseball outing where the Nats took on the Rockies!  It was nice seeing him reunited with the good folks of NAVSEA, but something wasn’t quite right however.  When I looked at the pictures, a few people were missing.  “…wait, where’s Mike?”  I said to myself.  “And Tara?  Not even Marquetta was there to see him???”  Mike, I know you probably see me as a nag, but you know how sensitive Rich is.  And seeing him there without his best buds by his side, he must’ve been heartbroken, for you sure as heck know I was.  I’ll tell you what, though.  I think if you go over to his house and offer him a hug, that’ll patch things right up.  And if you want to make it a slam dunk, you should bake him an apple pie.  Now that I think of it, it also wouldn’t hurt to bring him over a fruit basket, complimented with a nice wine.  I’m thinking a Chardonnay for the summer season.  Oh, and you’ve got hook him up with some of that prime rib they have at Harris Teeter.  Boy, oh boy, that hits the spot!  And a baked ziti??? Talk about icing on the cake!  Ohhh, cake, don’t forget that.  Carrot or red velvet, but I’d stay away from the cheesecake, you know, for the calories.  And while you’re at the store, a little bit of roast beef wouldn’t hurt.  Probably a pound/pound and a half would suffice.  Of course, don’t forget the chips, a nice tub of Fage Greek Yogurt, and some Kraft Macaroni and Cheese… you know, for the grandkids!  Throw in a few pastries and a couple Pilsners to share between two friends, and I think you’ll be alright.  And now that I think of it, I heard they have one of those really nice Nacho Cheese dispensing machines at Costco.  You bring him one of those along with the above, and you guys would have a party.  If he doesn’t forgive you after that, then I don’t know what will…

Just don’t forget, we’re all counting on you.  Rich is counting on you, so no pressure or anything, but don’t let us down! 

Well, as always, please send the good folk back in the office my very best, and let them know I miss them.  And don’t be shy about updates from your side either!  It’s always good to hear from you.  Until next time, Ya Sas, Opa, and Go Pack Go!!!

V/r, 

-Zack

Part 9: Fall 2023

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Kalimera! Spring 2022

April 19th, 2022 – The Most Beautiful Place on Earth (According to a Smokeshow)

Kalimera Rich!  I hope you had a happy Easter.  Turns out, the Greek Orthodox Church schedules Easter differently, so I we’ll be celebrating Easter next weekend, I suppose.  And really, the whole thing has thrown me off a bit!  I’m going to have to do my homework for next year so we can celebrate the right way.  One thing’s for sure, is that before all this is over, I’ll make sure you’re prepared when you decide to celebrate Greek Orthodox Easter. 

We finally made it out to one of the Greek islands, and let me tell ya Rich, it was awesome!  A much needed break from Athens, which is often dense, dirty, and full of traffic.  We went to a place called Hydra, where there are no cars.  And don’t make the mistake that I did and call it by what I think it should be called.  It’s actually pronounced, “Idra,” and well, the locals weren’t shy about giving me a hard time about it!

From what my wife tells me, the actress Sophia Loren said it was the most beautiful place she’d ever been to on Earth.  I don’t know that much about her, but apparently she was quite the “smokeshow,” as the kids say these days, and she was in the movie Grumpier Old Men.  And now that I think of it, our good friend and colleague Tara told me that that movie was based off of you and Mike. I wasn’t quite sure where she got that idea from, but I suppose I’ll take her word for it.

Sofia Loren… the original smokeshow!

Well, enough slobbering over Miss Loren here.  Bottom line is that if you ever make it out here, I would highly recommend you check out one of the islands, because that’s where you’re going to get an authentic Greek experience.  And while I was there, I even found myself a nice fisherman’s outfit!

Watch till the end. You won’t be disappointed.

I think it’s a pretty good look, but unfortunately, by the time you read this, those lovely locks and that beard will be tamed.  The wife couldn’t take it anymore and demanded I get a haircut.  I pleaded with her, explaining you once had a great mane and sported it with pride during the Washington National’s World Series run of 2019, but she wasn’t having it.

All wasn’t lost though.  I found this place called Barberia Atenes, of which advertise as a “Gentlemen’s Club.”  Now, I know what you’re thinking, and I can assure you, this isn’t one of those Gentlemen’s Club that Hunter Biden goes to.  No no, none of that greasy stuff. These guys were top notch, professional, and well dressed, the true definition of the word “gentlemen.”  And Rich, I kid you not, the first thing they ask me when I walked in, “Hello sir, would you like a drink while you wait?  Perhaps a glass of whiskey?”  My mind was blown.  And this wasn’t that cheap whiskey that our buddy Mike used to drink as a sailor.  No way José.  This was some quality stuff.

After a few sips the barber was ready and I took my seat. “Sir, what type of cut would you like?” Talk about a riddle that had me stumped! It’d been so long since I had a cut that I had completely forgotten what my go-to style was! My mind started racing, my head grew dizzy, and I took another sip of whiskey. I couldn’t just waste their time like that! Back in the states at a Sports Clips? ok, maybe I’d have some time, but these were professionals, with clients to see and things to do! I had to think, and think quick! “What type of cut would Rich get… THAT’S IT!!!”

I rummaged through my phone and found an old pic of you and me from the Navy Yard days, and told the man, “I want to look like that.” Rich, no lie, they gave me the best haircut I ever had. They cut with precision, they trimmed my beard, they spend 45 minutes primping and pampering, making sure every last detail was complete.

Then I started sweating. “You know, this is really nice. Like, over the top nice, something only those fancy politicians can afford. And all the whiskey, the pomp and circumstance, attention to detail, this has probably got to run me… uh oh…” Let me tell ya, I really stepped in it big time. I was seconds from blowing my entire budget on one stinking haircut. I was feeling sicker than ever, and even regretted getting that refill or two of whiskey. Tipsy or not, I braced myself for the damage.

“Thank you, sir. That will be 30 euros please.”

“What? Come again? 30 euros???” Rich, I couldn’t believe it. I felt like a king! “30 euros? Please, take my money! And here’s an extra 5 for the tip!!!” All that for 30 euros? Heck, I almost pay that much for a haircut at any dusty old place back in DC, and when it comes to tipping, they’re actually grateful for tips over here.  A great cut, a complimentary glass of whiskey… you bet your sweet toosh I’ll be going back!

Not too shabby if I say so myself!

And it occurred to me while I was there.  My engineering days may be numbered, for I may just need to open myself a whiskey bar/hair cut place when I get back to the States, because I can’t believe nobody had ever thought of that prior.  Then again, I may need to be careful about who I tell.  I’m telling you because I can trust you, but some of these guys, even our good buddy Mike, you just never know.  Now don’t get me wrong, I like Mike and believe he’s a stand up guy, but you know what they say in the Navy, “Trust but verify.”

…Well, now that I’m thinking about it, maybe telling Mike isn’t such a bad thing after all.  I’m sure if we work with him a little bit, I betcha the man can clean up pretty well and looks pretty sharp in a suit.  And now that I’m really thinking about it, he may be the perfect spokesman, a poster boy to show the world that we can turn even the likes of him into a class act, a perfect gentlemen.

The Perfect Gentlemen… that’s it!  That’s the name of my new business! And I’ll tell you what, if I ever get this thing off the board, you’ll be my first customer!

That’s about all that’s going on right now.  I hear the Nats are playing the Dodgers this week, and I also heard about how the Dodgers pulled Kershaw when he was 6 outs away from pitching a no hitter.  I don’t know about you, but that’s unbelievable.  I don’t know what it is with these sports stars these days.  I think they’re all a little too spoiled if you ask me, because you wouldn’t see the likes of Roger Clemens or Nolan Ryan stepping off the mound if they were on the brink of pitching no hitters.  It’s a shame, but that’s how it is with these kids these days.  The best I can do is teach my little guy appropriately.  And don’t you worry, I’ve been getting him well acquainted with the classic sports legends since the day he was born. And trust me, I’ll be guiding him as long as I can.

Some of the greatest athletes of our generation, no doubt

Until next time and very respectfully,

Zack

Part 4: Summer 2022

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