My Moment in Greece

It really does seem like it has only been the briefest passage of time since I arrived in Greece a month ago. My mind is telling me there is no way that we could have only been here for a couple weeks because of everything I have seen and done. All the experiences, all of the sights, all of the trips, all of the walks seem to have only happened just yesterday or last week.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this blog entry because I know that it will be my final one. I know I’ll be coming back and not just because of my 12 hour layover when I come back through from Italy. I honestly believe I will come back to this country. When we had our farewell dinner last night I was asked the question of what do I love the most about Greece. My answer was twofold: I love the fact that I can walk down the street or look out my window and see places that I have only ever read about in a book and that I love the architecture. There is not a building over maybe 10 stories in Athens but walking the streets you feel like they are extremely tall. The narrow streets make them seem a lot taller than they actually are and I love walking down them every day. I will definitely miss the food especially Greek fast food. I had a lot of pork, chicken, and lamb. I tried some very different takes on foods that I don’t think I would have eaten normally like eggplant, zucchini, and spinach.

I am so thankful for all the friends I have made on this trip.

And the experiences I have shared with them like journeying to several islands, hiking up steep mountains, swimming in the Aegean, conversations over coffee, and spending hours on every meal because we aren’t rushed to leave. I didn’t think a meal could take 4 hours but I was wrong and I loved it. I really like that there never seems to be a sense of urgency to be doing something every moment of everyday. Yes there was a lot to do and see but you can sit for hours having coffee and people watching or you can go shopping and sightseeing and then come back and take a nap because it is siesta time. And tomorrow I leave for Italy with 4 incredible friends.

I remember thinking back in September/October that this day was so far off I couldn’t even fathom being in Greece or what it would be like but now that I’m here I don’t want to leave.

The dream is collapsing and all I want to do is go deeper.