Don't You (Forget About Me): Week 3 Athens
- Themi Alexandra
- Jun 9
- 7 min read
I’ve written at length about my name and the story behind it (See What’s My Name). You would think with a name like Themi I would be hard to forget. Yet for as long as I can remember one of my insecurities is that people won’t remember me.
My memory is uncanny. I joke with friends never to tell me anything they want me to forget. One friend even refers to my memory as a steel trap. But my memory is selective. I’m not great with dates but I’m decent with names and I rarely forget a face. If I run into someone I haven’t seen in awhile I will lead with a “It’s Themi” or “Remember me, Themi from xx.” As if they’ve met five other Themi’s in the meantime. I fear I am forgettable.
Ten years ago I was in Greece with my parents. The bulk of our time was at the beach on Rhodes. It was a blissful two weeks of sun, surf, and as many paperbacks as I could consume. This is when I learned that top tier living is ordering your second coffee from a beach lounger. This is also when I realized just how vibrant my Dad looked. One morning I ordered my usual frappe metrio, sitting next to mom and dad, and the server asked if my husband wanted anything. We still laugh about today. What exactly did he think mom was doing there?! Chaperoning our honeymoon?!
That trip ended with time in Athens where I got a tour from two of the best guides I know - ancient history buffs extraordinaire - mom and dad. They took me to their favorite places: landmarks, museums, restaurants, and stores. As I mentioned in Istanbul (See Time Waits For No One) my affinity for shopping is a two-headed beast equally inherited from mom and dad. It was also in Istanbul that I discovered we shop for the same reason. We are seeking stories and craft. I appreciate the craft that goes into what people make and I love supporting their work. My parents do too.
So one of our stops was The Loom, a shop they have been frequenting for 20 years. When I met the owner, Theo, it felt like I already knew him because I heard so much about him over the years. That day I also met Vahan who worked alongside Theo. When he introduced himself I said “What a great name. I’ve never heard that. What does it mean?” He said “It means shield.” I somehow managed to spit out “That’s a strong name,” while my knees went weak. Of course his name means shield, it fits his strong, confident, demeanor to a god damn t.
As I was walking through the Plaka recently, I passed the Loom and there was Vahan sitting outside. I said “Vahan, do you remember me? I’m Themi.” And he said “Of course. I’ve been following you. Reading your blog.” At that moment I forgot that I am visible online. Moreover, I didn’t think anyone actually read my blog besides my sister Diana and a few close friends. It was kinda surreal.
He told me he thought I wouldn’t remember him. Maybe the fear of being forgettable is universal. Either way it was reassuring to hear it from someone else. I said “I remember good people.” After weeks of being on my own and seeing not a single face I know, it was so nice to see one I recognized. It was also nice to be able to converse in English for a few minutes and bask in the ability of expressing myself easily. We chatted while I looked at a few rugs for my sister. He asked about my parents and it was nice to sit in that familiarity for a bit of someone else knowing that extension of me, my family.
My visit with Vahan made me realize a few things. I love my alone time more than most. But I was itching for connection after three weeks of solitude. Our conversation in the shop was a good start. It also got me thinking about social media: how people can’t forget you and how it can actually connect people.
Immediately after I posted my first blog from Athens, I got a message from a former co-worker. Tina and I crossed paths briefly at work years ago but the positive impression remained. She was also living in Athens for the next couple months and asked if I wanted to meet up. Hell yes I did. Tina is working while here so it wasn’t until week three that we met up, which was right when I started feeling the itch for connection.
Our original plan was Saturday brunch. And then I got a message about a craving for pastitisio and an invite to dinner on Thursday. I said sure! I was in full yes mode. Not just for the opportunity to connect but because I can. I have the flexibility right now to say yes to just about anything and that is a check I don’t tire of cashing.
I was also super curious to hear more about Tina’s experience in Athens and compare notes. I came to dinner with 1,001 questions. Soon enough it moved from Q and A to a free flowing conversation as Tina and I connected over common interests. Tina has a separate bookstagram and was a film major so needless to say we had a lot to talk about besides our shared experience of living in Athens. Dinner went over three hours so we decided to dine again, tomorrow.
Thursday night had been in Tina’s neighborhood of Kolonaki so Friday night would be in mine. I was so excited to not only plan a night out, but to have been here long enough to have recommendations. It was a thrill to share Kypseli with someone else. I used this opportunity to finally check out Iznogood & Nephew, the jewel box bar that had been calling to me since day one (see Stuck In A Moment). I have no problem going to bars alone. But going to a bar and not being able to converse with locals or the bartender is a different story.
I seized the opportunity to bring Tina and experience it together for pre-dinner drinks. The bar was even more charming than at first blush. Inside is a small vinyl collection and record player. The kind of cozy nook you could lose track of time in. And when the drinks are seven Euros it would be real easy to do just that. Alas we had a dinner reservation a few doors down.
I wanted to revisit Pantikaa (see You’re On Your Own, Kid) and share it with someone because it’s that good. I was greeted by Khalil from behind the bar as I checked in and that hello was like a warm hug. To be recognized, welcomed back, made me feel like a local. Another leisurely dinner ensued with more great conversation.
The next morning I met up with Tina for our originally scheduled brunch. On my way over she messaged that a friend would be joining. As someone looking for connection, more is more, bring it on! I don’t know what was more exciting, ordering pancakes for the first time here, or getting to meet two locals, Yiorgios and Christos! I immediately felt at home as George is my dad’s name and Chris is my uncle’s name. Chances are every Greek person has one in the family since they’re two of the more popular names for Greek males.
I liked George instantly. A warm, opinionated, raconteur, he reminded me of Greek men I have met before. One of those people who has a story or anecdote for anything. He asked where my family was from. When I said Sparta, he told the table how in ancient times Spartan women were the only ones allowed to divorce their husbands for impotency. True or not I don’t care, I appreciate the joy he finds in conversation.
He’s also the kind of person who has an opinion on everything, and will do this dance of I shouldn’t say, and then immediately shares his opinion. Whether it’s on the casting of Christoper Nolan’s Odyssey or why 2001 is the greatest movie of all time. I appreciate the passion. I ordered a second iced flat white, sat back, and enjoyed the show.
Chris was soft spoken so his presence got swallowed by the gregarious George. The yin to his yang. One thing that got them both talking was cars. I love cars too, so I got to ask all the questions and see pics. They eventually left Tina and I for an appointment at the mechanic. As they got up we exchanged pleasantries and as he walked away George dropped that the bill was paid. Too late for Tina or I to protest. A well executed mic drop.
It was a lovely and unexpected display of philoxenia. The Greek word for love of strangers, an eagerness to show hospitality. I told Tina how grateful I was that she introduced me to her friends. After they left, I found out how she met them. She was dining at the same spot and they started talking to her, simple as. I told her how jealous I was that she made Greek friends organically. I was hoping that would happen to me at my local cafe. Time will tell if it does, but in the meantime I’ll take some second degree locals.
I’m simply grateful that this week brought me the connection I was craving. I am grateful to Tina for inviting me into her Athenian world. Each time we met up we both expressed a desire to get a picture. We never did. I take that as a great sign of just how much we were enjoying the moment. I enjoyed stretching my social muscle again. After weeks of laying semi dormant, I was wiped after our weekend of food and fun in the best way!
Sunday night I went to one of my favorite perches in Athens, the rooftop of the Royal Olympic hotel, to celebrate the full blue moon. This was the quiet moment of solitude I needed to recharge my battery. An hour to sit in isigia (the Greek word for peace and quiet), look out at the sun setting over the Acropolis, sip some bubbles, and reflect on everything that has been and everything that will be.
The next morning I woke up and extended my stay. I am not ready to go home yet. I feel that I am only beginning to uncover the magic of being here and being more in touch with myself than ever before.
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