The human animal differs from the lesser primates in his passion for lists. – H. Allen Smith After nearly three months on Ikaria during the off-season, we’ve compiled Reid & Robie’s Top 10 things to do when the island’s not packed with sunseekers. But first, an Honorable Mention: Keeping track of our neighbor’s herd was … More Ikaria Top 10
More isn’t always better, Linus. Sometimes it’s just more. – Sabrina Many full-time travelers move every month. They arrive in a new city, find a grocery store and one or two restaurants, stroll the streets near their apartment, see the sites, take a daytrip, then leave. They don’t stay long enough to make friends with … More What being homeless feels like
Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!” – Robin Williams Aesop’s fables are fairytale classics teaching life lessons through simple, meaningful stories. In the lion and the mouse, we’re reminded that no act of kindness is too small and everyone, no matter how tiny, can have a big impact. When the hungry fox tries … More A conversation between Winter and Spring
Individuals that arrive at your doorstep as strangers leave as friends. – Greek saying The Trojan War wasn’t fought over Helen. It launched when Paris violated the terms of Greek hospitality, and in defiling the code of generosity and reciprocity, he committed the only unpardonable sin. To the ancient Greeks, welcoming a guest was a … More Where hospitality is demanded by the gods
May the road rise up to meet you and the wind always be at your back. – Irish blessing Despite Americans’ appropriation of Cinco de Mayo, few nations adopt another’s holidays. Outside the home country, national holidays tend to be small affairs. Americans on Corfu for the Fourth of July may burst into an off-key … More When the big blue marble turns green
The code is more what you’d call “guidelines” than actual rules. – Captain Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean When Robie and I started cleaning out the house and preparing for this adventure, I made an exception to my rule about not reading a book twice. Because like Captain Barbossa, I believe rules should … More Toujours Provence
Every step is a destination. – Anonymous I promised my sister that on Ikaria I’d begin training for the Camino. But with the journey still ten months away, how in shape did I want to get? Besides, on a mountainous island everything Robie and I did involved a hike. Buying groceries meant a trek to … More Training for the Camino
A sunset in the Aegean includes joy and sorrow in such equal doses that in the end, only truth remains. – Greek poet Odysseus Elytis When we set out, Robie and I referred to our plan as off-season slow travel. Before we stepped off the hamster wheel, our limited vacation schedules were always a mad … More What is off-season slow travel?
You are what you eat. So don’t be fast, cheap, easy or fake. – Homer One of the best things about our roving retirement is the food. And not just the amazing cuisine we get to try, but the chance to recreate delicious dishes and add them to our repertoire. In Liverpool Robie and I … More Pork, cheese and ouzo – the new winter classic
The people you surround yourself with influence your behaviors, so choose friends who have healthy habits. – Dan Buettner Robie and I didn’t set out to age in reverse, on Ikaria it just happened. Ikaria is a blue zone – one of only five in the world – where people regularly live longer than average. … More Where people forget to die
Reid & Robie 