The Greek Custom I Wish We’d All Adopt

July 21, 2016

When thinking about what sentiment or subject I most wanted to send you all off into the weekend with, only one thing came to mind: the volta.

I haven’t been everywhere, but I’m fairly confident that I’ll never adore another place more than Greece. I smiled stupidly the entire visit and at inappropriate times. I just watched back a video recorded during a drive through Crete, and the entire time my expression is that of a–what’s the dumbest and happiest creature there is? My face looked like that. In awe. In magic. Enchanted and delighted.

Were I to attempt to pick apart the experience and pin point my favorite aspects, well, I suppose I’d rather not. Picking preferred children is so trying.

But, there is one thing that I feel compelled to share, especially since it’s a practice that one could ostensibly employ anywhere in the world. It’s not vague like the pace of life and the intention of slowing down enough to be present, either, but obvious, and somewhat easily replicable.

The volta.

Greek islands at sunset and the custom that surrounds it-- a must-see, must-experience.

When in Greece, you’ll likely find the streets and shorelines suddenly filled with clusters of people at dusk.

You might mistake the custom, or not even notice it at all. You might think it’s just specific to the location. Travel elsewhere, and you’ll see it isn’t a fluke. Bounce islands, trade the shore for the unmarked street of a no-where town in Crete and you’ll see: what people there are in the area are out walking together at sundown.

They walk in small packs: whole families, from grandparents to small tots, groups of friends, young and old. There are couples and couples of friends. Everyone, I mean everyone, is out.

But it isn’t chaotic or rowdy or even crowded. Everyone moves easily, and no one hurries.

They stroll contently and chat amongst themselves. Some are on bikes. Some push strollers. Many lick their ice cream cones.

Hardly any stare down at their screens.

I’m not sure I’ve ever observed a more endearing custom than that of the volta.

I want more volta-ing in my life. I want a few less sundowns spent staring at this computer, and more enjoyed in the open air, digesting the day and talking about nothing much.

And I wish you the volta, too. I wish you the calm that comes only when you’re outside. I wish you the time to stroll leisurely. I wish you the wonder to notice how gracefully the sunlight slowly fades, how it gives way so effortlessly to the dark, so that it isn’t so much a turning as it is a trade: molecule for molecule, atom for atom, blink to blink. I wish you someone magnificent by your side and something brilliantly lit inside.

Let’s all go take a little volta, shall we? And if we pass each other on the street, we’ll smile at each other and wink: living it so Simply.

XOXO

All my love,

– Annie

 

Image credit: 2 Straws

 

 

5 Comments

  1. elaina on July 21, 2016 at 2:21 pm

    I am so happy you enjoyed Greece so much!
    Growing up here I can definitely say it is much more leisurely then back in the US. The summer is always the best time for Greece because everyone is out for a volta!! What could possibly be better than an afternoon stroll on the beach with icecream???? ;-)))

  2. Dan on July 21, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    Thanks for doing what you do.
    Have you written any books?

    Your site has helped me in many ways.

  3. Cheyenne on July 23, 2016 at 4:37 pm

    Love this 🙂 Travel makes us richer, wiser, and much more open to appreciate the world , the people, the beauty and the wonders. Glad you’re finding time to appreciate these moments in life. With the utmost sincerity, congratulations! Your joy has been overflowing lately 🙂

  4. Becky on August 1, 2016 at 10:21 am

    My husband and i have taken up the practice every evening before dinner to sit outside and just watch the day end. We do this after feeding the animals (or children) and after having prepped our meal (ingredients, etc).

    We find this an excellent time to catch up on our days, read to each other the Skimm or the Guardian, and visit with the neighbors if they are out.

    When we are separated, we catch up over the phone at the same time instead.

    It keeps us together in so many ways, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Thanks for sharing the Volta with others!

  5. […] to be your majestic self and eat a meal outside and hey, if you’re at a loss, why not take a volta!? (My sister has since informed me she very nearly called to inform me I’d made a […]

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5 Comments

  1. elaina on July 21, 2016 at 2:21 pm

    I am so happy you enjoyed Greece so much!
    Growing up here I can definitely say it is much more leisurely then back in the US. The summer is always the best time for Greece because everyone is out for a volta!! What could possibly be better than an afternoon stroll on the beach with icecream???? ;-)))

  2. Dan on July 21, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    Thanks for doing what you do.
    Have you written any books?

    Your site has helped me in many ways.

  3. Cheyenne on July 23, 2016 at 4:37 pm

    Love this 🙂 Travel makes us richer, wiser, and much more open to appreciate the world , the people, the beauty and the wonders. Glad you’re finding time to appreciate these moments in life. With the utmost sincerity, congratulations! Your joy has been overflowing lately 🙂

  4. Becky on August 1, 2016 at 10:21 am

    My husband and i have taken up the practice every evening before dinner to sit outside and just watch the day end. We do this after feeding the animals (or children) and after having prepped our meal (ingredients, etc).

    We find this an excellent time to catch up on our days, read to each other the Skimm or the Guardian, and visit with the neighbors if they are out.

    When we are separated, we catch up over the phone at the same time instead.

    It keeps us together in so many ways, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Thanks for sharing the Volta with others!

  5. […] to be your majestic self and eat a meal outside and hey, if you’re at a loss, why not take a volta!? (My sister has since informed me she very nearly called to inform me I’d made a […]

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