A summer trip to Corfu, Greece

Our student Windell from San Fransisco, California visited Corfu this summer and is sharing his experience with all of you.

The myths, the legends, and the history was what constantly drew me to Greece since I was little. What got me to buy the tickets three years ago was a beautiful British show called “The Durrells”. A story of a family that escapes their depressing life in England to move to Corfu and bring light back into their lives. This was something I definitely needed after living through a depressing pandemic. 

The first time three years ago was a dream. June, this year, will be my third time visiting except this time I will be able to speak the language! 

I tried to learn on my own and built up my vocabulary for my 2nd trip using the apps but I still didn’t have enough confidence to speak. I have no Greek background. I am a Filipino from the small island of Guam in the middle of nowhere in the Pacific Ocean. Despite that, I was determined to learn!

One day after watching too many videos of Greece, I found Greek Language Experts through a hilarious and popular Greek/Italian instagram influencer, Arianna Papalexopoulos.

“Yes. Hello. Hi.”

I saw how fun it was to see all the learning material that Emily and her GLE team put out and I didn’t hesitate to sign up and begin learning for this 3rd trip!

First time speaking Greek on the trip was in… England?

The first week of our trip, I was in the UK visiting my sister and her family. On our last day before we flew out to Greece, they wanted to take us to a Greek cafe that they really enjoyed.

My brother in law told the waiter, Γιώργιος, that I was learning Greek and without hesitation, he started speaking to me. My first challenge had begun. It was like when teachers start the day with a surprise quiz and no one is ready except I was.

“Είμαι από την Αμερική και μένω στο Σαν Φρανσίσκο.”

He was happy to hear me speak and I was happy with my performance! It definitely gave me confidence for the next day when we go to Corfu.

I’m back, Kerkyra!

Out of the three times I’ve been to Greece, Corfu is the only island I’ve ever been to.

The Ionian Sea and its clear blue waters, the Old Town and its beautiful maze-like

alleyways where you can get lost for hours seeing all the different stores, restaurants,

and cafes.

We went to my favorite restaurant called Antranik on the first day. I was nervous to

speak Greek but I just pretended it was just another speaking exercise with my teacher, Emily. As I finished ordering and the waitress walked away to put in our order, I felt amazed how natural the words came out. I was so happy!

“Θα ήθελα μια μπίρα, δύο μπύρες, ίσως τρεις μπύρες και… έναν μουσακά.”

The restaurant overlooks the water and a view of the hills of Albania can be seen just

across the water. It was a relaxing time eating here while we watched the boats pass

by, listening to all the birds making music and the people swimming in the water. It was a breath of fresh air.

When in Greece, beach day is everyday

In the earlier mornings, we would drive to Glyfada beach on the western side of the island. Two things about this beach: parking is easy and no big crowds. The benefit of going to the beach at 9am after breakfast is that you have the beach to yourself!

“Δυο ξαπλώστρες, παρακαλώ.”

I would swim from one end of the beach to the other for 30 minutes while my girlfriend would enjoy some sun bathing. Then we go back to the Old Town and get some lunch!

Evening walks in Old Town…

This was one of the most relaxed trips we’ve ever taken to Greece. Breakfast, beach,

lunch, nap, evening walk in town, dinner, sleep. It seemed like talking to the locals in

Greek at night was the best time to do it. I received the most smiles and best reactions.

I spoke with one of the older ladies that worked in one of the souvenir shops in Greek

and little to almost no English. She asked me where I learned and I told her:

“Έμαθα από τη δασκάλα μου, την Έμιλυ. Είναι από τη Θεσσαλονίκη!”

She replies “Κι εγώ!”

She was so very sweet. I hope to see her again.

“Καλό βράδυ! Χάρηκα!”

We both ended the conversation with “Καλό βράδυ!” with happy smiles. Getting a smile out of anyone in this summer heat is a job well done.

Early mornings in Corfu!

I started a morning ritual last year in the Fall for mental health purposes. I started

walking around early in the morning to take photos and my main goal was to find the light and see how the light fights off the shadows as time passes by. It was an exercise I started for myself to combat depression.

As I walked through the quiet alleys of Corfu to begin my photography walk, I felt a nice surprise. What once felt like a blur of sounds started to become clearer and more familiar. Everything was coming into focus more and more.

“Τώρα καταλαβαίνω. Τώρα μπορώ να ακούσω.”

The voices of the locals conversing with one another, telling each other good morning, asking each other “how are you?”, telling each other stories about their days. I put my camera away and just started listening. As the town started to wake up, I started to hear

more and more and it was like music.

I decided to climb to the top of the old fortress at the edge of the city, closed my eyes, and just listened to the people of Corfu begin their day. The people walking, the cars and motorcycles passing by, and the birds chirping away. With a nice morning breeze, it was beautiful.