At seventeen, the narrator visited Ikaria, a Greek island, and immediately felt a deep connection. Now living there with her grandmother, she recently obtained Greek citizenship. Ikaria is known as a Blue Zone, one of the few places in the world where people live exceptionally long, healthy, and happy lives. Life on the island moves at a slow pace, captured by the local saying siga siga—“take it slowly.” People enjoy long conversations in cafés, a relaxed lifestyle, and a strong sense of community.
The island’s rugged beauty and myths add to its charm. The story of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun and fell into the sea, is tied to Ikaria’s name. Historically, residents built antipirate houses hidden in rocks for protection. The Ikarian diet remains simple and mostly plant-based, with meat only eaten on Sundays.
The lifestyle—natural foods, regular walking, low stress, community bonds, and adequate rest—explains their longevity. Visitors can enjoy natural hot springs, beaches, and summer festivals that last until sunrise. For the narrator, while her grandparents once left Ikaria for a better life in the U.S., she feels that the better life now exists right there on the island.
Vocabulary:
• Citizenship (noun): the legal status of belonging to a country.
• Blue Zone (noun): an area where people live much longer and healthier lives.
• Rugged (adj): rough, natural, and not even or smooth (used to describe landscapes).
• Camouflage (verb): to hide by blending in with surroundings.
• Utilize (verb): to use something effectively.
• Plant-based (adj): made mainly from plants, not animal products.
• Ingrained (adj): deeply fixed or established in someone’s habits or culture.
• Radioactive (adj): containing energy that can be harmful or healing, depending on exposure.
• Longevity (noun): long life or lasting existence.
• Community (noun): a group of people who live together or share common interests.
• Pace (noun): the speed at which something happens.
• Festival (noun): a celebration, often including music, food, and dancing.
Source: BBC Global