Our first stop was Athens, Greece. For us, Athens was the city we were the least excited about in our trip to Greece. All we could do was go to boring museums and walk around the city, there was no glam or leisure in that. However, the beauty of Athens quickly consumed us, and it became one of our favorite cities on the trip. The rich history, the people, and the absolutely life-changing food, made Athens the city that gave so much to us. Walking the streets that Aristotle and Plato had strolled, imagining where they had reflected on life's deepest questions, brought in the introspection and wonder we had needed for our trip. As well as understanding the painful history of the people of Athens , made us value and respect the city and its people so much. Not to mention, the most out-of-this-world falafel we had in the Plaka, that became one of our most prized meals on the entire trip. We felt the aura of Goddess Athena, who protects the island and its people so fiercely and lovingly, and that love, carried us on the remainder of our journey.
We then took a boat to Mykonos, another Greek island, and were stunned at our hotel. You know the white houses that are famous in Greece, that lay all around the island, facing the sunset with the stones glistening? We actually stayed in one of those gorgeous houses in Mykonos, facing the sea with the wind ruffling the tree that laid on our porch. After a long, much needed nap, Pooja (my most adorable travel buddy) and I, put on bathing suits, unpacked our sneakers and trekked to one of the most famous vineyards in Mykonos. Our overly-sweet and overly-excited tour guide Demi, owns the vineyard with her family, and from time to time gives biking tours of the island to visiting guests. She took Pooja and I, along with many other travelers that had been having lunch at the vineyard, biking along the hills and dirt-paved paths of Fokos, Mykonos. The other travelers quickly turned out to be great company, and we, along with Demi, rode peacefully, soaking in the beauty of the island. We stopped the tour at an incredible hidden beach, with magnificent cliffs overlooking the water. Demi, after feeding us homemade muffins and lemonade, encouraged us to climb the cliffs and take in the view.
I'll never forget how I felt in that moment. Standing on the cliff staring at the water in front of me, and the island behind me. I took in a deep breath, closed my eyes, and for the first time since graduation, since finals had completed, since I had realized I was no longer a student, that I had lost my dharma, I let all the worries go as I exhaled. Praying, that the sea breeze would carry them into the water, swept far away from me. As I heard the waves crashing into the cliffs, I felt utterly at ease. Content with not moving, not thinking, just remaining present in the moment. I looked at the sun as it began to set, and felt so secure. So taken care of. So safe. Even though I still felt uneasy about the new chapter beginning in my life, that sunset, and that bike tour was the first time I felt excitement for the unknown, and content with not knowing the answers to every question of my future.
After two days on the island of Mykonos, we entered Santorini. The island known for its stunning beauty and peace. From the famous sunset in Oia, that we climbed 300 steps to witness, to swimming the volcanic hot springs, digging my feet in the soft mud under me and smiling as people bathed themselves in mud, laughing and laying in the water, I was in utter awe. Hiking up the red and black stones of the ancient volcano of Santorini that had erupted so many years ago and had created the segmented island that is Santorini, I finally witnessed the full 360 degree view of the island, surrounded by glistening Aegean water. It was all so breathtaking, so full of life, and I witnessed the beauty God had created on this island in Greece. Santorini helped me re-discover my sense of wonder and awe, and an unquenched earning and craving to witness all the beauty this world has to offer.
After a life-changing, heart-healing, and soul-searching week in Greece, my travel buddy and I packed our bags, a little darker, a little fitter, and a whole lot happier, and boarded our flight to Italy. As we sat on the flight, we reminisced about the wonderful culture, beauty, food, and people of Greece. But as I slowly drifted to sleep, watching our plane fly over the ever-blue sea, I felt more than just an appreciation for Greece. I felt deep gratitude to the county and to the islands for bringing me the tranquility and eagerness for life I had been praying would enter my heart and my soul. I thanked Greece for making me feel alive. Alive, and grateful to just Be.
We then took a boat to Mykonos, another Greek island, and were stunned at our hotel. You know the white houses that are famous in Greece, that lay all around the island, facing the sunset with the stones glistening? We actually stayed in one of those gorgeous houses in Mykonos, facing the sea with the wind ruffling the tree that laid on our porch. After a long, much needed nap, Pooja (my most adorable travel buddy) and I, put on bathing suits, unpacked our sneakers and trekked to one of the most famous vineyards in Mykonos. Our overly-sweet and overly-excited tour guide Demi, owns the vineyard with her family, and from time to time gives biking tours of the island to visiting guests. She took Pooja and I, along with many other travelers that had been having lunch at the vineyard, biking along the hills and dirt-paved paths of Fokos, Mykonos. The other travelers quickly turned out to be great company, and we, along with Demi, rode peacefully, soaking in the beauty of the island. We stopped the tour at an incredible hidden beach, with magnificent cliffs overlooking the water. Demi, after feeding us homemade muffins and lemonade, encouraged us to climb the cliffs and take in the view.
I'll never forget how I felt in that moment. Standing on the cliff staring at the water in front of me, and the island behind me. I took in a deep breath, closed my eyes, and for the first time since graduation, since finals had completed, since I had realized I was no longer a student, that I had lost my dharma, I let all the worries go as I exhaled. Praying, that the sea breeze would carry them into the water, swept far away from me. As I heard the waves crashing into the cliffs, I felt utterly at ease. Content with not moving, not thinking, just remaining present in the moment. I looked at the sun as it began to set, and felt so secure. So taken care of. So safe. Even though I still felt uneasy about the new chapter beginning in my life, that sunset, and that bike tour was the first time I felt excitement for the unknown, and content with not knowing the answers to every question of my future.
After two days on the island of Mykonos, we entered Santorini. The island known for its stunning beauty and peace. From the famous sunset in Oia, that we climbed 300 steps to witness, to swimming the volcanic hot springs, digging my feet in the soft mud under me and smiling as people bathed themselves in mud, laughing and laying in the water, I was in utter awe. Hiking up the red and black stones of the ancient volcano of Santorini that had erupted so many years ago and had created the segmented island that is Santorini, I finally witnessed the full 360 degree view of the island, surrounded by glistening Aegean water. It was all so breathtaking, so full of life, and I witnessed the beauty God had created on this island in Greece. Santorini helped me re-discover my sense of wonder and awe, and an unquenched earning and craving to witness all the beauty this world has to offer.
After a life-changing, heart-healing, and soul-searching week in Greece, my travel buddy and I packed our bags, a little darker, a little fitter, and a whole lot happier, and boarded our flight to Italy. As we sat on the flight, we reminisced about the wonderful culture, beauty, food, and people of Greece. But as I slowly drifted to sleep, watching our plane fly over the ever-blue sea, I felt more than just an appreciation for Greece. I felt deep gratitude to the county and to the islands for bringing me the tranquility and eagerness for life I had been praying would enter my heart and my soul. I thanked Greece for making me feel alive. Alive, and grateful to just Be.
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