ALONG THE WAY: PAROS
It was thanks to a serendipitous encounter in Athens that I found so much wonder in Paros so quickly…
After leaving a shop in the historic neighborhood of Plaka, I saw a man passing me carrying a large vintage picture frame tucked under his arm. Seeing me, he stopped suddenly and cried out: “Susanna?!” He put the frame down and grabbed my hand affectionately. “I love watching Quintessence and can’t believe you are in Greece!”
He quickly introduced himself as designer Michail Touros. He invited me for coffee at his childhood home nearby, which he shares with his mother Ketty, a renowned Greek chef. How could I refuse such local hospitality? A few hours later I was sharing coffee and conversation about love and life in their charming home:
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Michael then offered to take me up a back way to the Acropolis which was perched nearby.
Along the way we stopped in a beautiful church and I bought earrings made from recycled spoons from a woman on the sidewalk in front of her home.
On our way down, we entered the lovely local bistro Avissinia which used to be run by Ketty and now managed by Michail’s brother Nickolas and his wife Matoula.
As they seated us and brought us a lemonade, I sensed why the place looked familiar: another kind stranger had urged me to visit this place on Instagram!
For the days that followed, Michail continued to send me his favorite spots in Paros.
There’s nothing I love more than concentric connections like these happening between the video series, traveling, design and just wonderful people that I’m lucky enough to meet! Within all those joyous moments, the world feels cozy and good.
Step out of your tour group or your comfort zone when you travel and be open to connecting with people you meet “along the way!”
