A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

Destiny introduces Alexia, a young American woman volunteering on the Greek island of Lesvos. One day, Alexia and Tareq will meet: “She’d been waiting for him in Europe, as she worked on the shores of Greece. Neither knew how much a stranger would change both of their lives once the universe brought them together” (109).

Alexia is there to help refugees as they come ashore from Turkey. Originally from Connecticut, she first came to Greece for a simple vacation. Once she saw some of the refugees there, however, she wanted to help. She asked her parents to help pay for her rented room in Greece, so she could defer a semester of university and stay to help refugees. Now, she spends her days helping to bring boats into shore and providing aid (food, clothing, first aid) to the refugees as they arrive.

Alexia is having her morning coffee before starting her shift. She talks to Annis, an older Greek woman who works at the coffee shop. Annis provides the perspective of the people of Lesvos, who are at the front lines of the refugee crisis. They have little to give themselves, as Greece is recovering from an economic crisis, but most try to help.