Like paradise
what makes a place like paradise?
IS PARADISE A place where everything is perfect?
Or is it simply a place where harmony can be felt?
This week, I heard the word paradise twice. But I encountered it more often.
The first time was when I went to buy a pack of butter at our little local supermarket. The cashier struck up a conversation—half English, half Greek. When she heard about the house we bought in Vori, her face lit up. She knows the village well—and the house too. She said she had always wanted to live there.
The owner of the shop also engaged in our conversation. He looked at me kindly with his caramel-brown eyes, and said:
"You're living here now, in Kamilari—it’s a little paradise, you know that, right?"
I smiled and replied, “Yes, paradise is something you can really feel here.”
He gently touched my arm, the woman smiled too, and I smiled back at both of them
Yes, that moment—it was heartwarming. I’d even say: paradise-like.
So maybe it’s the people who create it.
Back home, I was busy making my orange marmalade and limoncello with raki.
I can’t quite describe the scents—but maybe you can smell them between the lines of my words. The sensory delight of fragrance was beautifully accompanied by the sound of a saxophone—jazzy and soulful. Another Day in Paradise.
A few houses down, a German music group has rented a place for the week. These musicians, each with their own craft, have been coming to Kamilari for 20 years.
I get to enjoy their wonderful music all week as they rehearse with heart and soul.
To me, that is pure happiness.
Today we went to Kalamaki beach, just seven minutes from here.
The scent of salt water, the wind, sand, sun… and again: kindness.
After a lovely barefoot walk along the shore—our feet covered in sand, collecting beautifully smoothed stones—we ended up at a taverna with inviting sunbeds. Nestled in the sunshine, the owner came over and started chatting with us.
“It’s paradise here, isn’t it?” she said.
For her, it was still paradise to be able to work in a place like this every day.
We got our drinks, and guess what was written on the cups?
”PARADISE!”
Oh my! We turned around—and saw that the taverna’s name was indeed Paradise.
The signs from our angels are arriving loud and clear.
I think they’re having a great time watching me take it all in.
How much clearer could it be?
To feel peace… that is paradise.
I surrender.