Common Refrains

“Well, this doesn’t suck.”

Probably the most used phrase of our trip and for good reason. From the beautiful views to the delicious meals and great family bonding moments, we have all remarked at one time or another that “THIS does not suck!”

Billy soaking in the view of olive trees, mountains, and blue skies during one of our daily morning walks in Crete.

“DAMMIT Julie!”

A favorite statement lovingly referring to the amazing places and spaces Julie, our good friend Annie’s sister, helped arrange for us in and around Dubrovnik, Croatia. Having lived there for 5 years, she curated a truly stunning set of experiences and our group jokingly started saying “Dammit Julie!” to blame her for subjecting us to so much awesomeness. We now use this statement whenever we encounter a great new VRBO, restaurant, view, experience, etc.

“Who are you?!”

Ben and I started saying this to my dad about three weeks into the trip when we noticed him doing things he would never have done at home, like jumping on an electric scooter, choosing to walk verse take transportation at the end of the day, or voluntarily doing the dishes after dinner. When my brother Billy arrived in Greece, he noticed a change not just in my father, but also in me and Ben too. When, for example, instead of joining him to go get a salad, we said we were gonna get gelato instead, he looked at us with big eyes and said “who are you?!”

Papa showing off his scooter skills

“Where would Zoran eat?” or “Zoran approved!”

Ben’s friend Zoran who treated us to an amazing meal in Skopje and then referred us to the best lamb restaurant ever is now synonymous with a great restaurant or meal.

Zoran and the family at the fabulous dinner in Skopje, Macedonia