If you’ve visited the hospital at Agios Nikolaos and heard an English-speaking voice coming from the office to the right of the main entrance, it’s likely to be that of Jo, who works in the admin department.
We asked her how she’d found herself a long way from home and working in Crete.
‘When I was just 17 years old in 1985, I came on holiday with my parents to Hotel Hermes in Agios. I started a holiday romance with a local man who was working as a waiter. I returned home and it was actually my Dad who saw an advert for a teaching job in Chania. He encouraged me to go for it, so off I went to London for an interview. I was successful, so flew out to Chania where I taught for about a year until I was 18. When I turned up out of the blue to see my waiter, Nikos, he was very surprised that I’d returned to Crete.
We continued to see each other as regularly as work permitted and by 19, we were married. We now have 6 children, five girls and one boy, between the ages of 27 and 36, and 3 grandchildren.
After working in the museum of Agios Nikolaos, I started working at the hospital in 2008, initially as a dinner lady. I then moved into hospital administration.
I’m not specifically employed to help English speakers, but this side role has developed over the years. I will assist anyone who needs me, people can give me a shout in the office if they’re struggling with anything."
In her spare time, Jo loves to play with her three grandchildren and keeps herself fit and healthy by enjoying walks in the beautiful Cretan countryside.
