New Chapter
PASSING ON THE TORCH
We talk a lot about starting a coliving project. We talk much less about when that journey ends, for you.
This is a piece about passing on the torch. Starting something from scratch, from sweat, sheer passion, and dedication, going through the highs and lows of running your own business, creating and nurturing a community, thriving, and slowly coming to the realization that your journey, is coming to its natural end.
And as I write these words, my mind can’t help but go back to the very first day I entered the building, back in March 2021, a place once known as a travelers inn and later on a tavern, To Hani tis Paramythas. As soon as I entered,I thought that this beautiful building can’t remain abandoned, and something needs to be done to bring life back to the historic building that always brought people together. One night, as I was journaling, in an effort to understand if I should take on what seemed back then, a huge project with limited resources, I asked myself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” The answer was simple: the worst would be losing some money and hosting a big gathering with friends.
Time Flies…
It has been almost 4 years, not only did we host one big party with friends—To Hani became a home, a community, a space to create and learn, unwind, a place to be productive, come up with business ideas, a master kitchen full of people experimenting with food, eating, having conversations, building relationships.
We’ve created countless unforgettable moments together.
From hosting family dinners, master chef competitions, cocktail nights and endless pizza nights.
We camped,BBQed, went on early waterfall dips, shared sunset moments, played board games, enjoyed countless taverna nights, and yes—We did it the Greek way and smashed plates!
We explored the island together, went to local festivals, boat trips, long hikes, we made our own olive oil and visited countless wineries. We built an organic garden that gave us endless pumpkins for soup, and learned to make one of Cyprus’s favorite dishes with pumpkin flowers (anthoi).
… when you are living a community life
We shared skills in everything from toilet designing to coding, marketing, cooking and life cycles—the learning was endless.
We learnt that watermelon with tahini and chocolate chips tastes deliciously well, and cauliflower pizza is not that bad, unless you’re Italian).
We hosted community action sales,open jazz nights, Greek nights, and unforgettable salsa dance parties under the stars.
So many dogs came to visit us, adopted one, found a cat, and adopted him too!
We made lifelong friends, experienced weddings (3+ and counting), some announced and unannounced couples, and even brought a To Hani Coliving baby into the world!
We started at a time where we wouldn’t even think it would be possible to be on the digital nomad map.
Not only did we become the first coliving on the island and made it on the map for digital nomads, but we became a home to over 350+ digital nomads, and travelers from all corners of the globe, people who made To Hani Coliving their home, travelers who came to Cyprus to experience the community here.
Why would anyone leave this behind, you may ask?
It is not easy to explain, but it is something you feel within yourself. It is time for me to step back and explore other projects. My love for the island, the community, and the building remains unchanged. I have, however, changed. Through the last years of refurbishment, meeting countless amazing souls, fixing and creating, exploring, dreaming, and putting down small fires… I feel like I have lived many lives. These last four years have been so rich, and I now seek time to reflect and rest my soul. I am so proud of what we have built, and I would love to see it continue to thrive without me.
Are You Part of The Next Adventure for To Hani?
I may go but To Hani remains. What will it be? We have received a couple of proposals from locals on the island wanting to buy the building and take over the business. Nothing is decided yet and we are reaching out to the wider community now to see if anyone has a dream that would fit within our walls.
What’s most important is that To Hani Coliving continues with the same strong values as a coliving, so we are reaching out TO YOU, you’ve been part of it, you know what it is all about.Are you or anyone in your network interested in taking over this business?
Download our Deck below and if you are genuinly interested, FILL OUT OUR FORM and let’s chat more.
I am not going anywhere yet and am ready to consult, support, and make it happen!
All the best,
Christy, Pistacchio and Cashew
TO HANI COLIVING 