It’s all Greek to me
Written 28th April 2023
(posted May 2024)
I am writing this from the foyer of an English language school for Greek children. Izzy & Huds are currently sitting amongst a classroom of about 15 kids aged 5-7, reciting the alphabet and singing a greeting song “Hello, how are you?”
The mother of two local Greek girls that the kids have befriended, works at the school and suggested they come along for a visit, so here we are.
I'm absolutely amazed at how our once shy, wee Isabelle now steps forward and speaks up, for her brother too. When first meeting someone she used to be so timid and would often push her brother forward to do the speaking but already in the small amount of time since we left New Zealand (2.5 months), she's already come out of herself so much and becomes more confident each day.
The already confident Hudson has, so far, taken the travel, new countries, people and lifestyle all in his strut. Eager to absorb the Greek language he is leading the way in our learning and his ‘pleases and thankyous’ are more often spoken in Greek these days.
I am surprised each day at how well our kids have adapted to our new life so far. When we moved on to our boat I thought they would baulk at the size of their rooms & lack of space, complain about the strange noises… but they haven't, not a word! Phew!
Isabelle is such a light sleeper and would usually be in to our bedroom in a flash with heavy rain, thunder or fireworks so we were sure we’d be in for some sleepless nights. The strange sounds of sloshing water, clanging Halyards, sea creatures and Kalamata nightlife - but nothing! She hasn't complained about any of it and both children appear to be sleeping really well. Of course, Hudson could sleep through an elephant tap dancing on his head but still, what a result! Although I have probably jinxed it now.
I just poked my head in on the kids who are now in the older kids classroom, though. I'm not sure by choice! I gave Izzy a questioning thumbs up, she replied with a quick smile and a nod, but I copped the look on Hudson’s face and it was the same look he had during his first (and last!) musical theatre class – jazz hands are not for him! I have a feeling that his response to my check-in would have been a thumbs down - he's not one to politely tolerate something he is not enjoying, like his sister will. I did forewarn them both to go into this visit with an open mind as I wasn't sure whether they would be put on the spot and paraded as the ‘English kids’ or whether they were merely visiting as a kindly opportunity for them to meet some other English-speaking children. Either way, I promised them a dinner of Gyros and ice-cream afterwards.
