JULY 2021 - 1
Feature Intro: Aging Around the World: Greece & Albania
J U L Y 2 0 2 1
For many Americans, summer travel plans include images of white sand beaches, crystal blue waters and fresh seafood with an evening cocktail. Perhaps no place instills such images more than the islands of Greece. White-washed villas and leisurely lunches of wine, olives and cheese are the traveler’s expected companions while touring these Mediterranean jewels. To its north, Greece borders Albania, a country with its own long history and cultural traditions. Sharing the same Mediterranean Sea, the two countries share more than a coastline. Greece and Albania share much of their culture, language, cuisine, economics and history. So, it isn’t much of a surprise to learn a local family has ties to both places. Restaurant owner and Sandhills local Oresti Arsi grew up in a home with roots in both Greece and Albania. With a Greek father and Albanian mother, Arsi absorbed the gentleness of his father’s Greek temperament with the fiery passion of his mother’s Albanian flair. Together, the Arsi’s raised two sons, prepared traditional Greek cuisine for many Sandhills residents (the family owned Greek restaurant Corfu for many years) and kept the traditions of their home countries alive while raising their children in a new land. Arsi took a break from his two food trucks – Meat & Greek and Crepe Minds Think Alike – to talk with ONC about growing up in America with parents from two different countries, balancing strong ties to ancient roots with new traditions blended with American culture. This interview has been edited for length.
continued page 6
CONTENTS
ASK THE EXPERT: TIPS FOR TRAVEL
FEATURE: AGING AROUND THE WORLD -GREECE & ALBANIA FAITH: GOD, VULNERABILITY, AND MICE