There is something special in the air when autumn arrives. After the long Greek summer, the first cool breeze feels like a quiet whisper, reminding us that every season has its time. The sun softens, the light turns golden, and the world seems to slow down — just enough for us to notice its beauty.
Leaves begin to change their colors, painting the trees with shades of amber, crimson, and burnt orange. They fall gently, like secrets from the sky, creating a carpet that crackles beneath our feet. In villages and towns, the smell of roasted chestnuts fills the air, and grapevines hang heavy with fruit, ready for harvest. Somewhere, someone is pressing olives, another timeless Greek rhythm that connects past and present.
🎃 Whispers of Halloween
Far away, in the English-speaking world, another kind of magic stirs in the shadows — Halloween. Once an ancient Celtic festival, it has become a night of costumes, pumpkins, and candlelight. Children laugh in the dark streets, knocking on doors and calling out “Trick or treat!” The flicker of jack-o’-lanterns glows in windows, guarding homes from playful spirits.
Even in Greece, Halloween has begun to find its place. A carved pumpkin here, a costume party there — small echoes of a tradition that crosses oceans. It’s a chance for young learners of English to taste a piece of another culture, to dress up, to play, and to learn that language is not only words — it is also stories, songs, and celebrations.
🌾 The Season of Gratitude
Autumn is also a season of thankfulness. In the United States, families gather for Thanksgiving, sharing a meal and giving thanks for life’s blessings. In the United Kingdom, bonfires light up the November sky, remembering history and resilience. In Mexico, colorful marigolds and sugar skulls honor the memory of loved ones during Día de los Muertos — the Day of the Dead.
Each tradition, though different, celebrates the same truth: the cycle of change, loss, and renewal that autumn quietly teaches us.
A Greek Autumn
Here in Greece, our autumn is gentler. It is the smell of wet soil after the first rain, the taste of figs and honey, the return of warm soups and homemade pies. It is the sound of the sea, still close but cooler, and the sight of mountains wearing their mist like a soft scarf.
Fall reminds us that endings can be beautiful — and that change, though quiet, always brings something.
So, as the evenings grow cooler and the first rain taps softly on our windows, let’s slow down a little. Light a candle, wrap yourself in a warm blanket, and breathe in the scent of autumn — wood smoke, cinnamon, and earth. Let this season remind us to rest, to gather close to those we love, and to find joy in small, gentle moments: a cup of tea shared with a friend, a walk under golden trees, the quiet comfort of home.
Autumn asks nothing grand of us — only that we notice its beauty and carry its calm into the days ahead.
Lost in Translation-Found in Expression 