My husband and I discovered Sifnos in 2013. We had been to Greece 5 times over the previous 9 years, and loved discovering new islands and new cultures. Then we read about a small island with no travel agencies, no airport which basically sustained its business on individuals who come back just because they love the island. It sounded so appealing that we were willing to take the risk and try it out.
With some research, we booked a hotel room, flights to Athens, along with our ferry tickets, walked up to a friendly family run hotel, 5 minutes from exiting the ferry. We thought it would be a relaxing place to spend 2 weeks. What we discovered was a home away from home, and a world where we could immerse ourselves within where we could thrive. After 3 or 4 days, we already felt ourselves sinking in -not just being relaxed, but noticing things – the way the gentle breeze felt on our faces; the smell of the thyme and oregano on the fields where we walked; the sound of the waves and the wind; the blue of the sky and sea, the layers of olive terraces; and of course, the taste of the sumptuous food and wine. We even walked slower and greeted the locals in their tone of voice. I’m not sure how it happened, but something about this island had grown on us.
We stopped looking at our tour guidebooks to decide what to do for the day – we enjoyed an extended breakfast at a café with the locals, and just went where our hunches told us. The shopkeepers didn’t talk to us like tourists anymore. They greeted us like locals. Soon, we were staying in a shop for 45 minutes, chatting with the shopkeepers. One pottery shop owner invited us to sit with him for a cappuccino. We weren’t sure what had changed about us, but it felt right.
We talked to some of the other tourists, and discovered that some of them had been coming to SIfnos for 30 years. That’s what it was. There was an appeal that brought people back year after year. This island was home to people.
Then the Magic started….
As we sank in and allowed things to happen, we met amazing people, discovered little surprises like flowers blooming where they shouldn’t; cats greeting us and hanging out with us; and wishing for a particular food, only to find it was the special of the day at a tavern a few hours later. The other tourists played a role, too. Someone we had talked to at breakfast would suddenly appear at a site late in the afternoon. Lots of coincidences and synchronicities would happen in conversation.
On one occasion, we followed the directions for an enjoyable hike given to us from a local. As we passed the appropriate landmarks, we found things that personally meant something to each of us – for example, I love blooming mimosa trees. At the turn on the path, there was one in full bloom in front of the house. It was 2 weeks out of season for blooming! Then, we approached the church, hoping it would be open. Discovering it locked, we decided to cool off in the shade sipping our water. After 5 minutes, the priest walked up with his dog, smiling, and motioned us to come inside. He pointed out artifacts in the church for us. We still wonder if he somehow knew we were there, and felt the pull; or perhaps his dog alerted him to open the church for us.
I have more stories to share in a future blog, so stay tuned….
As I pondered upon all the magic, I developed a process of creating more. Every morning at breakfast, my husband and I would start by setting the intention that we would be led to what we needed to experience – then watch for new things to come up. The results have been amazing.
This is all part of my Greek Discovery Trip in May. I’ll teach tools to connect to nature, helping my clients to discover their inner selves. I'll combine my coaching techniques with manifestation concepts to discover the Magic of Sifnos.
http://www.terrihofstetter.com/greece-discovery-trip.html
With some research, we booked a hotel room, flights to Athens, along with our ferry tickets, walked up to a friendly family run hotel, 5 minutes from exiting the ferry. We thought it would be a relaxing place to spend 2 weeks. What we discovered was a home away from home, and a world where we could immerse ourselves within where we could thrive. After 3 or 4 days, we already felt ourselves sinking in -not just being relaxed, but noticing things – the way the gentle breeze felt on our faces; the smell of the thyme and oregano on the fields where we walked; the sound of the waves and the wind; the blue of the sky and sea, the layers of olive terraces; and of course, the taste of the sumptuous food and wine. We even walked slower and greeted the locals in their tone of voice. I’m not sure how it happened, but something about this island had grown on us.
We stopped looking at our tour guidebooks to decide what to do for the day – we enjoyed an extended breakfast at a café with the locals, and just went where our hunches told us. The shopkeepers didn’t talk to us like tourists anymore. They greeted us like locals. Soon, we were staying in a shop for 45 minutes, chatting with the shopkeepers. One pottery shop owner invited us to sit with him for a cappuccino. We weren’t sure what had changed about us, but it felt right.
We talked to some of the other tourists, and discovered that some of them had been coming to SIfnos for 30 years. That’s what it was. There was an appeal that brought people back year after year. This island was home to people.
Then the Magic started….
As we sank in and allowed things to happen, we met amazing people, discovered little surprises like flowers blooming where they shouldn’t; cats greeting us and hanging out with us; and wishing for a particular food, only to find it was the special of the day at a tavern a few hours later. The other tourists played a role, too. Someone we had talked to at breakfast would suddenly appear at a site late in the afternoon. Lots of coincidences and synchronicities would happen in conversation.
On one occasion, we followed the directions for an enjoyable hike given to us from a local. As we passed the appropriate landmarks, we found things that personally meant something to each of us – for example, I love blooming mimosa trees. At the turn on the path, there was one in full bloom in front of the house. It was 2 weeks out of season for blooming! Then, we approached the church, hoping it would be open. Discovering it locked, we decided to cool off in the shade sipping our water. After 5 minutes, the priest walked up with his dog, smiling, and motioned us to come inside. He pointed out artifacts in the church for us. We still wonder if he somehow knew we were there, and felt the pull; or perhaps his dog alerted him to open the church for us.
I have more stories to share in a future blog, so stay tuned….
As I pondered upon all the magic, I developed a process of creating more. Every morning at breakfast, my husband and I would start by setting the intention that we would be led to what we needed to experience – then watch for new things to come up. The results have been amazing.
This is all part of my Greek Discovery Trip in May. I’ll teach tools to connect to nature, helping my clients to discover their inner selves. I'll combine my coaching techniques with manifestation concepts to discover the Magic of Sifnos.
http://www.terrihofstetter.com/greece-discovery-trip.html
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