Sun, Sea, and Soul: Our Unforgettable Subud Holiday in Greece

Yesterday the last stragglers from our wonderful Greek holiday reluctantly (I believe) went back to their homes.

This gathering was truly a great gift, both to those who organized it and the 53 visitors from 13 countries. These included six former IHs, one current and two former Zone 4 Reps and three current KCs. There were several non-Subud partners and some with true grit who who refused to be dominated by their health problems. Halim Korzybska described it as paradise in Greece.

The hotel we chose, just 2 hours from Athens, was perfect. It is a large hotel, so not exclusively for us as in Crete two years ago, but that was no problem at all. Harina had found it on a visit to a friend who has a house in Nafplion and her feeling that it might be a good place for a holiday proved to be true. There was a space for latihan available to us the whole time and big enough.

The blue Mediterranean sea was welcoming, with an especial welcome from the little biters, the small (thankfully) fish who wanted breakfast when we went for an early morning swim…not enough to deter us. It was just a few meters over the road, with canopies from the hotel and beach service if needed. The food buffet had variety, was tasty and was open for long meal times. The management and staff were friendly and helpful and indeed had shown interest in Subud when we went there to negotiate.

We had latihans every morning and they were deep and profound; for sure they left Zoom latihans in the dust.

Just as in Crete two years ago, there were excursions to historic sites: Epidaurus and Mycenae. Some felt a special vibration in the Epidaurus complex, which was a healing centre as well as having the big theatre it is well known for. The nearby city of Nafplion also has sites which were of great interest to some of us.

They were various evening events. We arranged a Bapak talk one evening and a presentation by those who had made the trip to Uzbekistan. The hotel arranged an evening of Greek music and dancing and also a disco on our last night. The latter saw many of us oldies rocking and rolling and doing the twist. Fit and energetic Halim, an 81 year old phenom, was a star for a group of Polish high school students, who formed a circle around him while he pulled them out to jive with him one by one (the pretty ones of course!). Many of us oldies were dancing in short spells, including Taufik and Leonore, Solihin and Alicia, Stephen and Rosaline Weil, Harina and me, Silvana and, last but not least, Magdalena and her husband Rolf, 87! Go oldies!

Harina and her sister Harissa were the main organisers, with some help from Silvana Sofianopoulou and myself. Harissa had just returned from chairing the Z4 meeting in Hubingen

and prior to that was at the WSA meeting in Fatima as a director… all of which she carried out efficiently and with her warmth and affection for all. Without exception, everyone was delighted and expressed great gratitude for the work that made this happen and the light handling of the few small problems. And we in Greece were very happy and grateful that the effort made was so worthwhile. Personally it was a great boost to reconnect with old friends, some of whom I’ve known for decades and one, Solihin Thom, for 53 years since our time at Loudwater together.

One of the huge benefits of these meetings is the opportunity to come together, sometimes after 10, 20 or 30 years and find that the bonds we formed are still there, unbroken.

Alhumdu lilla the formula, as in Crete two years ago, was a winner: a combination of latihan, sun & sea, good food, great company and no business. By God’s grace we hope to organise another such holiday in the near future; a country has talents, just like a person, it seems.

NB On the last day Rashid Butt had a heart attack and was immediately sent by ambulance to Athens. He was fitted with a stent and is full of praise for the Greek doctors. They told him it was fortunate that he came when he did and is now good for another few years. He will go in for another stent in a few days, but is now out and about, browsing the town and even coming to group latihan.