Why I Fell In Love with Crete
My love for Crete caught me unnoticed while passing through..
I did not know that the love for Crete caught me for quite some time until I recognized the first symptoms. I did not understand it - or allow myself to allow it - straight away, thinking that it would surely pass as quickly as it arrived.
But I came to realize that the love for Crete remained.
Here are those symptoms, 15 wonderful reasons to fall in love with Crete:
Feeling oddly drawn to the island and to being immersed in everything Cretan.
Missing the sound of the Cretan sea.
Longing for the feeling of the summer sun on your skin.
Dreaming about the fascinating landscape of the island: the Dikti mountains or the Lefka Ori, rich valleys and sea.
Craving to eat the fabulous and healthy Cretan food and drink.
Loving the different flavors of Raki, each magically created by a different family with their own different taste.
Enjoying the changing skies of Crete and discovering their immense beauty.
Missing the stunning winters, its tranquility, and its snow-covered landscapes.
Being unable to let go of the powerful Cretan and Greek music, with their enduring and evocative lyrics.
Remembering the Cretan wind blowing softly over the grassland and some sheep in the distance.
Drowning in the deep reds of a sunset on the South coast of Crete.
Diving into the Cretan warmth and hospitality, and feeling at home at once.
Seeing the golden light as you pour the local olive oil, reminders of the taste and aliveness of the Cretan sun, once you are back home.
Embedding the green Cretan spring into your soul, full of flowers in blossom and the green of the mountains.
Getting teary-eyed when you are not there but remember all those unforgettable images stored inside of you.
These are the reasons that I come back time and time again and are still very much alive in me.
I spent my holidays on Crete for several years, but that the call I felt right from the start would quieten and that I would be able to manage the homesickness that arose each and every time I returned home. I came to realize that this feeling actually grew bigger with every passing trip and I made the decision to start a new life on this magical island.
Once this island captures you, you should embrace this island fully.
These are the reasons that I come back time and time again and are still very much alive in me.
This mythical island in the Eastern Mediterranean has unique magic, and once this magic catches up with you there is no escape. Why would you even want to?