Yesterday afternoon I got into a cab on my way to Yaletown. After I told the driver my destination, we started chatting. I realised I did not recognize his accent and his skin colour, although brown it had a beige undertone. So naturally I asked, and he told me to guess...after humming and hawing I guessed the Middle East maybe the UAE. H
He then asked me what my nationality was, so I said Greek. I asked him how he knew I wasn't just Canadian? He said that I don't have a Canadian face and I don't talk like a Canadian. I laughed, and agreed..
He then told me that "we, being Jerusalem, Turkey, Greece, Italy are all Mediterranean, we all understand each other".
I never thought about it that way...
"Have you been to Greece" he asked, "no", I said. "I was on my way but couldn't make it due to health problems"...his reply:
"You go to Greece in Pain and with your health problems. Greece is the most energizing place there is; your people are the most energizing and loving people to spend time with. Greeks come to Jerusalem all the time and they share their stories, they spend time with us. You don't understand what Greece will do for you, you may be in pain or unhappy here, but that's because you are here. You must go to Greece, it's in your blood, you won't understand what I'm talking about until you go..."
He pulls the car over and looks at me..."you look sad", he says. "I am a little, but I'll be okay", I said. "I can see it in your eyes, it's not okay to be unhappy, there is so much more for you than here...trust me".
I said thank you for the advice, and he said it was his pleasure, and I left the cab.
The funny thing is that the last time someone told me "you won't understand until you go"...I went, and fell in love with the Musée D'Orsay...
e said close, I'm from Jerusalem. Instantly I was smiling; I find that most Israelie or Jerusalem people residing in Vancouver are hard working and full of gratitude and all n'all great people to surround yourself with.He then asked me what my nationality was, so I said Greek. I asked him how he knew I wasn't just Canadian? He said that I don't have a Canadian face and I don't talk like a Canadian. I laughed, and agreed..
He then told me that "we, being Jerusalem, Turkey, Greece, Italy are all Mediterranean, we all understand each other".
I never thought about it that way...
"Have you been to Greece" he asked, "no", I said. "I was on my way but couldn't make it due to health problems"...his reply:
"You go to Greece in Pain and with your health problems. Greece is the most energizing place there is; your people are the most energizing and loving people to spend time with. Greeks come to Jerusalem all the time and they share their stories, they spend time with us. You don't understand what Greece will do for you, you may be in pain or unhappy here, but that's because you are here. You must go to Greece, it's in your blood, you won't understand what I'm talking about until you go..."
He pulls the car over and looks at me..."you look sad", he says. "I am a little, but I'll be okay", I said. "I can see it in your eyes, it's not okay to be unhappy, there is so much more for you than here...trust me".
I said thank you for the advice, and he said it was his pleasure, and I left the cab.
The funny thing is that the last time someone told me "you won't understand until you go"...I went, and fell in love with the Musée D'Orsay...