Paros, Greece

I did not expect to love Greece as much as I did. While there were tourists, somehow, the culture was not watered down or nonexistent. Of course being with Artemis & staying with Yiayia and Pappous made it even more special than if I we to visit alone. Yiayia fed us every single day…. there was something so healing about her food… meat stuffed vegetables, roast chicken and potatoes, greek salad, pasta bolognese, and watermelon & feta right before bed. She was so sweet and took care of us the entire time. Washed out laundry and shoes even after we dirtied them at the bars. Pappous drove us everywhere and bought us loukoumades (fried dough balls) with mirada on top (basically nutella, but better). Yiayia and pappous were so cute and you could tell they loved each other very much. I didn’t mind spending time with them. Their house was incredible - green framed windows, white walls made from that distinct greek wall material, exposed wood, and beauty decor. The windows were always open and the sound of the wind swooshing through the house was so soothing. Yiayia read out our greek coffee fortunes. You start by drinking greek coffee, then you let the leftover wet grounds turn about the walls of the cup and finally you flip the cup upside-down to dry. The grounds create these pathways, letters, and symbols. Mine said I’d be doing a lot of traveling and would make a good fortune in the future. She also read our cards and there were tons of details about my life I can’t remember now, but there was something so soothing and fascinating about watching her read our fortunes. The beaches and winding stone, white streets were incredibly beautiful and charming. I loved all the rings I saw in the shops downtown and purchased a few. Yiayia and pappous even bought me one to remember them by. A gorgeous silver ring tied into a knot that sits right on top of the finger. I pretty much ate souvlaki everyday, because it was so delicious and only 4 euros! I went to a nude beach called voutakos, and while it was a little daunting, it was quite the interesting and freeing experience. The rocks were really pretty on this beach - shades of green, yellow, and pink. I sat in a private cover which gave me some privacy from everyone and was so beautiful. Driving in Paros was pretty easy, but some roads were very rocky, narrow, and winding. I felt well-equipped however, and my friends even said I was really good at driving. That made me pleased. The boat tour to blue lagoon gave me access to the clearest, bluest water I’ve ever seen. That was the other thing I loved about Greece… no sharks! So for the first time ever, I swam far into the ocean without fear. It felt amazing.

A few words in Greek I’ve learned:

Kaleemera = good morning

effcharisto = thank you (I said this a lot to yiayia, especially when she cooked for us)

kaleespera = goodnight

yassus = hello / goodbye

yeechus = bless you