Our Last Day at CYA - “I myself became satiated in their midst” (1 Enoch 90:39)

I’m not completely sure if “satiated” is the right word, however I’d be the first to label my time in Athens as “satisfying”. The above quote is taken from one of Enoch’s visions that has been dubbed the “Animal Apocalypse” (chapters 83-90 of 1 Enoch), and it is here where Enoch proclaims that he is “satiated” in “their midst” (a reference to cows in the narrative, but actually a figurative representation of human beings). In this blog, I replace this “their” with others in a way that applies to these unforgettable two weeks:

1. Their = Greek Meals - In this interpretation, “satiated” makes the most sense. Every meal I’ve experienced has left me absolutely stuffed, both from good food and quality conversation. It is the later that I would like to emphasize; in the States I catch myself (particularly at school) eating quickly, and consequently, silently. These longer meal times have deactivated a part of me that seems to devour my food for the sole purpose of nourishment, as now I am no longer the first to finish my plate. I special thanks to Christine for teaching me the “perfect bite” trick (where you save a little bit of everything on your plate for a final bite).

2. Their = Sunsets - I have experienced two notable sunsets thus far, with the hope that many more will come along next week in Rhodes. Nothing helps to demagnify one’s egotistical thoughts than watching a giant fireball disappear behind the horizon; in short, I’ve realized how necessary feeling small is. The beauty of these experiences is one thing that has sufficiently satisfied me, possibly because this feeling keeps spreading over me. Observing a sunset also has a way of transferring the abstractness of time into a physical and observable motion. Watching the sun dip is the supreme representation of the passing of time, and for once (as opposed to when I glancing at a watch or clock), it is not met with a sense of urgency.

3. Their = Friends - This last point is undoubtedly most important. I believe that humans have the natural drive to always desire more: more money, more things, more friends. However, I will never be able to verbalize as special, how “satisfied” (I hate to use such a possessive word) I am with all the relationships I’ve formed during these past couple weeks. I’ve continued to realize how unbelievably deep human beings are; each possesses their own stories, their own quirks and their own understandings. As I’ve discussed with others on this trip, the quality of the experience substantially rests in the hands of the people that you are sharing it with, and because of this, a disconnected group could have made for a very unpleasant trip. Put simply, I am eternally grateful that we are having the exact opposite dilemma.

My hope is that others on this trip feel the same way, “satiated” in the midst of all of us as we learn, grow, and laugh together.