my whole in Greece

Recommended Soundtrack: "Tora (OTE)" by Maria Faradouri

Although I have never really been hooked by any podcasts, during my travels across Turkey and Greece, I gave a chance to Historia FM, recommended by my friend Kurt. It was good and as my brain was spiralling with the hundreds of layers of history and culture of both countries, it helped my little neurons to finally start connecting the dots. It also helped me understand how the Hellenic world was mentality that was only a suburban portion of the Ancient world. But to build the origins of a western mentality and civilisation, it served its purpose to be considered actually quite central henceforth. Central, suburban, western or eastern, it all depends on the point of view I dare say. What I found in Greece - maybe because of what I was looking for - was everything from every angle.

The Greek mentality was taught as our social foundation, and I was always fascinated by the many forms of its representation. History and drama were my favourite subject at school. During university that shifted to philosophy and ethics - as academic subjects as well as favourite topics for discussion at bar tables. I have always found the stories in Greek mythology most exciting of course. I love the sea and the sun. Thálassa kai ílios. I have found, probably for my own selfish wannabe adventurous purposes, that I am island bound. Everything in Greece spoke to me and to be honest I had not even researched the language - something I do before travelling to most places. However I easily picked up. Kidding, definitely not easily, but the speaking spoke to me even further and I continue to practice Greek on Duolinguo. Everything at once in the same place (is that the name of the movie?) I fell in love with. I fell in love even with how I was/am in Greece. The wee Greek in me was made to shine. I found love in the landscape, the water, the earth, the food and the people ever so immensely so. I guess I fell in love with a Greek man too. That was an ultimate gift for a true Greek experience. My own Iliad.

All of what drawn me to Greece still exist my personal interests, but as I grew older (and wiser hopefully), my interests expanded to how their society developed through the contemporary world, how the country's cultural landscape shaped their heritage and the impacts of tourism in cultural heritage sites.

In Paros, I stayed at a family owned hotel, Silver Rocks. There I was embraced by their friendship, warm hospitality, amazing food. I felt taken back in time, to an age when mass tourism didn’t affect communities and tourism was just travelling, experiencing another culture with the local community. I had a special time with myself in Paros. I didn’t try any restaurants etc because I was too caught up with the traditional family food made by the Cristina, who manages the hotel, her dad and husband. I was surprised - for the first of many times in Greece - with the cool, youthful, adventurous and hipster scene amongst the locals (although that makes me sound really old, I like to think I am one of them). I tried windsurfing in Paros, and against all odds I did pretty well and got to enjoy the feeling of freedom as I literally was taken with the wind.

During my time in this part of the Cyclades, I spend a day in Antiparos and another in Naxos. In the later, I was shown around by an expert and in the end I was also caught up by the Greek wind there. I had what was probably the best food in a restaurant that I don’t know the name, and I felt like I was in a scene of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which I loved but after I was confused by it. In Antiparos I felt this strange feeling as if I was in one of the villages around Paraty, or maybe even in Caraiva. Later I found from a Greek that Antiparos has a hippie aspect to it and hence my feeling made total sense. In Antiparos I saw the first Ancient Greek temple, and the bluest water. The temple of Apollo was undergoing archaeological excavations and I spoke to my ‘colleagues’ on the way to the site. In the bright and transparent blue water I breathed and breathed as I was very anxious for meeting my Greek love the next day, I realised how happy I was too. In the end, overwhelmed with the history, culture, trendiness of all, that is what remained the most about Greece. Peace and happiness.

And that is without even touching on the fantastic energy of Rafa and Kurt, my forever mishap travel buddies, the most special friends and bigger part of my chaotic joyful triangle.

I have always been told to trust my gut feeling, and this time I did. In my own Cassandra’s dream (pardon the punch) I foresaw me falling in love with Greece. I was sure I would go mad, something I am used to live with by now. But my crazy is now (almost) exclusively focused in how and when I return to Greece.