Every Balcony Holds a Different Story

Welcome to our little space. The heatwave we are experiencing certainly calls for caution. At the same time, because we humans naturally have an instinct for survival, with the right approach this period can become a little easier. Join us on a visit to the coolest place in our city, a true oasis during days of extreme heat.

Our city has a population of around 70,000 people. On 28–29 June 1913, it was completely burned to the ground by the retreating Bulgarian army during the Second Balkan War. Afterwards, the city was rebuilt from the beginning over the following years with a new urban plan. 

Unfortunately, although it lies on a beautiful plain surrounded by greenery, much of the reconstruction filled it with apartment buildings. The place where a wonderful area has now been created for food, drinks, or coffee is the Acropolis of Serres. It is also a place of great historical importance, as it was once home to a vast Byzantine fortress.

From up here, you can see the entire city. Every little street. You even discover roads you never knew existed. We have a Greek song with the lyric, "From up here, the earth looks like a painting." Our city looks like a painting too.

As I sit here drinking my cold orange soda, so many thoughts come to mind. What are the people in every apartment doing right now? At this very moment, as I look at their balconies... How many are happy? How many are crying? How many are making love with the person they love while dreaming about the future? How many feel trapped inside an apartment building?

And when you step outside yourself like this, you realise how small we really are. Our minds often try to convince us that we are far more important than we truly are, almost like little gods. From up here comes a feeling of distance from everyday life. Everything suddenly seems unimportant... at least for a little while, until we get back into the car and return to our lives, to our apartment.

A little further away, Nikolas is playing with a little girl who, for some reason, kept trying to put her fingers in his eyes. In perfect English (because sometimes he hears us speaking English at home), he kept saying, "No, no, no!" It's beautiful to share. It's beautiful to care for one another. But a few boundaries never hurt anyone. 

Don't forget to drink plenty of water, and if you can comfortably afford it, consider getting an air conditioner. Stay in the shade during the hottest hours of the day, and let the chores wait a little. We have many months ahead of us for those.

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If you read all the way to the end, thank you. We would genuinely love to hear your thoughts, memories, or feelings in the comments. And if you ever feel like writing to us more personally, you can always send us a letter at:

✉️ unplug.thrive@gmail.com

— Mary & Chris