More Than One Job, One Journey

When people ask me how I know Crete so well, the answer is simple.

I didn't experience the island from just one place.

Over the years I worked in many different jobs, and each of them opened another door.

Like many people who move abroad, I started in hospitality. Working in a bar, restaurant or a hotel taught me not only the language but also the rhythm of Cretan life. Hospitality here is more than service—it's part of the culture.

Later I spent several seasons guiding French visitors on safari tours through the Lassithi and Psiloristis mountains. Those days took me far beyond the beaches and into villages, plateaus and landscapes that many visitors never see.

Walking through the mountains with locals who could explain the plants, trees and history of the landscape changed the way I looked at nature. I realized that every walk could become a lesson.

Another chapter of my life led me to Anidri, where I worked in a small family restaurant surrounded by gardens, herbs and olive trees. It was there that I discovered how closely food, nature and everyday life are connected in Crete.

Today I work in a five-star boutique hotel in Chania, welcoming travelers from all over the world. Every conversation reminds me that no two visitors are looking for exactly the same experience. Some come for famous beaches. Others are searching for something more personal.

Looking back, none of these jobs feels unrelated.

Each one helped me understand another piece of Crete. The mountains taught me to observe. The restaurants taught me to appreciate local traditions. Hospitality taught me how to make people feel welcome. And all of those experiences eventually became part of Driftlove.

Today, whether I create jewelry inspired by natural materials or welcome someone to one of my creative workshops, I know that everything began with simply saying yes to the next opportunity.