Building a summer home sounds dreamy, right? Sun, sea, and serenity. But what happens when your dream house arrivesā¦ in two partsāand only one makes it to the island? Hereās the story of how my Aegina adventure turned into an unforgettable comedy of errors.
The Big Day: August 2024
Months of planning, dreaming, and imagining lazy summer mornings by the sea were about to become reality. The house was ready to be shipped to Aegina Island. Naturally, I had to be there, making sure everything went smoothly: transportation, equipment, expertsāall on āheat modeā to get the house onto the land and at least connect water and electricity so we could safely work on the rest.
After hours of waiting at Souvala port, the house finally arrivedā¦ in half. Yes, half a house. The second part couldnāt make it because the ferry was packed with travelers heading to the island. People have priority over houses, apparently!
So there I wasāalone at the port, staring at half my dream, with no plan to stay overnight, no clothes, nothing. I must admit, I was desperate. How could I leave half my house sitting in the middle of the port and just go back to Athens?
The Longest Night
The emotions? Indescribable. Panic mixed with disbelief, sprinkled with a dash of āis this really happening?ā After countless phone calls and the kindness of good friendsāand even strangers who saw me in this situationāwe came up with a plan. We organized shifts to stay awake all night, guarding what was there, making sure nothing was damaged until morning when the rest of the house would finally arrive.
And then, the sunrise. The second half came, and my heart felt whole again. I returned to my family and kids, exhausted but grateful, wishing for smoother experiences in the future. But that day taught me something: every dream comes with its own adventure. And sometimes, those imperfect moments become the stories weāll laugh about forever or not!
Thinking of Building a Summer House on an Island? Here Are My Tips:
Pack an Emergency Bag Clothes, snacks, chargers, and a toothbrush. Trust me, you donāt want to spend the night at a port unprepared. Build a Local Network Friends and locals can save the day. Their advice and support are priceless when things go sideways. Stay Calm and Laugh Things will go wrong. Accept it, breathe, and remember: these moments make the best stories later.