Autumn Enchantment: Discovering the Heartbeat of a Greek Village | Village Life Ep. 1

Rediscovering Autumn in a Traditional Greek Village

Hello, dear readers! Over the past month and a half, I’ve immersed myself in writing and filmmaking in the beauty of the mountainous Peloponnese. This is my first autumn visit after a long hiatus; typically, I prefer the summer heat, but returning during this season has reminded me of the challenges of keeping our rustic home warm.

After enduring two years of lockdown, my soul yearned for the serenity of nature. Although my stay is brief, I cherish every moment, reconnecting with myself amid the autumn hues. Readjusting to life post-pandemic has proven more challenging than adapting to the changes it introduced. As many of us have discovered, emerging from a lengthy period of stagnation and rekindling the threads of our past lives can be daunting. Yet, this village has always been my sanctuary, and it felt wonderful to return home this fall.

Reflecting on my childhood, I recall dreading visits here due to the absence of friends to play with. Now, as an adult, I find solace in its tranquility. The simple tasks of living in a rustic setting—harvesting our fields, for instance—bring about a satisfying sense of achievement. During the summer months, we enjoy an abundance of fruits like cherries, mulberries, apricots, and peaches. Now, as autumn settles in, we gather nuts, mushrooms, persimmons, pears, and apples.

Good morning, everyone! Here I am at our country house in the serene village perched in the Peloponnese mountains. You might notice my pale appearance—I’m battling a cold, which adds to the experience. November is the month for olive picking, during which we also trim branches to encourage a bountiful harvest in years to come. The chilly air is invigorating, and while my attire may lack style, comfort is my priority!

On this trip, I have the pleasure of my grandparents’ company, who traveled from France to share in the harvest. My mother and brother joined us over the weekend, lending a helping hand with various household chores, primarily chopping wood for the fireplace. Our key aim this visit was to gather olives; we usually harvest them every two years to produce oil. This time, however, we sought just enough for our personal enjoyment.

Contrary to popular belief, olives aren’t ready to eat straight from the tree. A labor-intensive process is involved: each olive must be pierced and submerged in cool water, which needs to be changed daily for 20 days to eliminate bitterness and make them palatable. As the day winds down, I often carve out time to edit my book, despite occasionally grappling with writer’s block. The surroundings here fuel my creativity, providing the inspiration I need for my work. Many landscapes in my writings are drawn from this enchanting valley.

Nestled deep in the mountains, our home lacks cell service, and we deliberately forgo internet installation. This is our refuge—a place to recharge and unleash our creativity. Immersed in nature’s diverse tapestry, from stunning coastlines to majestic forests and towering mountain peaks, I feel grounded. The rich mythology surrounding this land, which I’ve sorely missed during the pandemic, has been an excellent motivator to break free from the grip of Netflix and internet distractions.

I’ve recently encountered a stray dog that seems to have been mistreated. While there’s an abundance of stray dogs in the area, we have a kind neighbor committed to caring for many of them across the village and the nearby mountains. During my time here, I’ve made an effort to approach the timid dog, allowing her to come to me, slowly building trust. Though we can’t adopt any, it’s comforting to know she can find safety and food in our presence during our visits.

Among the interesting fauna, we often hear jackals at dusk—a sound reminiscent of laughter, echoed by the village dogs. They fiercely protect their territory, creating a delightful symphony of nature. Recently, I spotted what appears to be fresh jackal footprints and even a boar print nearby. These markers of wildlife remind me of the vibrant life that surrounds us in this peaceful retreat.

Many fond memories flourish in this village—long summer evenings spent outdoors, delightful meals shared, and my mother’s famous rooster and wine soup simmering in the cauldron. Unfortunately, like many regions across Greece, our village has experienced the devastating effects of wildfires, which have claimed parts of our forest and livelihoods. Our valley has endured three major fires in the past two decades, with the latest incident occurring in 2018. As a result, the window for safely burning useless branches has narrowed, and conditions now require patience until the land becomes suitably damp for such activities.

The duality of fire fascinates me; it can be both a catastrophic foe in hot weather and a life-saving ally in winter. Relying on it for warmth is a tenuous relationship that we hope remains a distant necessity.

A few days have passed, and I feel much better now! I apologize for any technical glitches in this vlog—the autofocus has been particularly noisy. Thank you for making it this far in the video. Your support means everything to me, and I look forward to sharing more insights from my experiences in this enchanting village in the Peloponnese. Until next time!

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