Out of the Archives: My Tiny Blog Story

Out of the Archives 

I was surfing through old blog post drafts that I've never posted. I read a few of them off to my housemate, who gave the idea to do a couple, 'Out of the Archives' posts, for those who would enjoy reading random old writings. This one was written back in 2018... so, quite old. Its original title is, "My Tiny Blog Story, (For the Instagrammers). So here it is, for your enjoyment.  Sorry it took a full 22 months for me to push 'publish'. Feel free to leave comments with your thoughts or similar experiences you've had. 

My tiny blog story. {For the Instagrammers}

Originally written 5-17-2018

 Something like a couple many weeks or so ago, out of about 10 happenings, i chose the two most boring ones i could think of and gave my Instagrams followers the choice of which one they would rather hear,{kinda as a challenge to me to see how well I could describe a small happening in longer than 3 sentences, in a halfway intriguing sort of way}... 

*Disclaimer, Its not THAT grand of a story.... but I'll do my best to portray it. Overall, it was a truly neat experience for me.

Instagram Vote Results:

63%: My experience at Alexandros one evening; {resulting in the following blog story}

37%: How I kindly convinced an official to not give a parking Citation to my friends outta-state car.

It started out as any other evening. At the time i was staying at my parents house in IA for a few days before moving onward to my adventure. Things that happen in Iowa seem to be few and far between, especially coming back as an Alumni to my old school, and a "Older Person" in most of the Youth Group functions.
So much has changed since my school-days when the majority of life consisted of figuring out who soaped your car and pushing curfew back as far as possible so you could get in on every second of the party that was being hosted by the seniors... year, after year, after year.... until i became the senior, and decided life was better spent going to bed early and waking up even earlier... {<<That, friends, was possibly the longest run-on sentence and bunny trail ever...}

Back to my story. It started out like a normal evening. Not much to do, so i took a basketball down to the court to shoot around and think. That's become a rather constant despite wherever i may be, i seem to always be able to find me a court and ball, which i highly appreciate.
After a couple rounds of playing me against myself, i decided it was just a little too dark, and a little to chilly to continue. I jumped in Wilson (My Kia) and cruised on over to Alexandros {Where BullTown Pizza usta be}, the highly delicious Gyro Place in town. I had been to Alexandros a few times before, but this time was different.

"Good Evening!" I said as i came in the door.
The lady smiled politely at me. We conversed over which Gyro i would like and she sent the order to her husband behind her to make.
"Do you travel alot?" She asked, noticing my necklace.
Recently, I have been wearing my Palestinian coin and Star of David around my neck, representing the two sides of the West Bank Wall. {Which would be an even longer story..}
"Yeah, I like to as much as i can..." I responded. "I actually was just in Greece." i said, realizing i was in a Greek place and thinking that would be a grand conversation starter.
"Really!?" You could hear the curiosity in her voice as she handed me a cup for my water. "Where at?"
"The island of Lesvos.."
"Lesbos?"
"Yeah... That one..."

Before i felt like i had time to finish my answer, she walked away to the back. More than slightly disappointed,  I found a seat, right in the corner, where I'm pretty sure I've sat every single time I've gone there. I pulled out my notebook and began doodling. The restaurant was completely empty other than the lady, her husband, and their son, who ran the restaurant. Pretty soon she returned with my gyro.
"Here you go.." She said, and briskly walked away again. I had been hoping i would have more of an opportunity to chat with her, but she didn't seem very interested. I sat and ate my food, enjoying my own company for once.
As i was nearing the end, she came over again, but this time pulled a chair out and sat down.
"What did you do while you were on Lesbos?" She questioned with wide eyes..."Just visiting? Do you know people down there? Were you just touring?"
My heart leaped with joy.  As i began to explain to her how i had been volunteering in a Refugee Camp. She eagerly asked questions and added her own input. Before we knew it, we had gotten into quite the conversation about more than just Greece. Soon, her husband, who had been nearby in the kitchen, came over to the window and switched the OPEN neon sign off. Their store hours were suppose to still be open for at least another 45minutes or so. I was rather taken off guard when he began to lock up. His wife and i were still in good conversation, so i assumed it would be fine to sit and continue the chat, even though they were evidently closing early. Then, he swiftly came over and pulling out a chair, sat with us.
"No harm in closing early tonight to talk with you..." he joined in, the conversation eventually expanded and hit different subjects of the difference between countries, societies and religions, which i enjoyed greatly.
Through all this i learned many, MANY interesting things, including that He was originally from Greece, born and raised. His accent was a dead give away. She had grown up somewhere else, from what i understood, but met him in Greece and they married there. They seemed to have lived a great life over there with their boys. Once their boys became teenagers they decided to move to America to give their sons a better chance at education and jobs. More than not, it was them telling me things about their lives, things they've learned and choices they made. I was more than happy to sit, listen, and give my input when needed and my opinion on the more discussable issues.
I had long finished my gyro, but here we sat. Talking life. Relating and discussing things with each other as if we'd known each other for years.
Right as i was about to leave, i threw away my trash and told them goodbye and thanks for the good chat. The man continued, as if he didn't notice i was trying to leave.

"As long as your legs keep working, keep traveling... keep moving. don't ever stop.." He told me with a smirk. "Its a great thing.. and one more thing..."
"What's that?" I asked, genuinely curious at what this man thought was important enough to add in.
"I hope he finds you soon..." This surprised me.
"Who?" I asked, this time confused... i thought i may have misunderstood him or missed a piece of the conversation.
He smiled, and without missing a beat, he continued, "Your future husband... Your a good one, you know."
I grinned, half embarrassed. During our entire chat, other than telling them a few places I've traveled to and my nick-name, we had never even slightly touched on my personal life...much less my love life.
Then he continued. "Marry a rich one... Oh i hope he is a rich one. Either rich in heart to support your adventures, or rich in money to literally support them..."

I walked away that evening with great words of encouragement in my heart from the lady, and giggles in my heart from the man. I smiled, feeling as though i had reconnected with old friends and the knowing that if I'm ever in need of a good chat i can always pop back in to Alexandros. It was the coolest feeling to meet bran-new people who were willing to shut down early for a chance at a great conversation. And whether or not they remember me, or recognize me again. I will surely never forget them.

God Bless the people who converse easy.

The End.