My Good Friend Santorini

Where I Fell In Love With The Present

There are few places that force me into the present. Greece was one of those places for me. 

When it comes to traveling, I am extremely indecisive. I want to see everything all at once because I feel like if I don’t do it then, I never will. Silly mindset, but when those you grew up with are starting families at your age, it makes you feel like you’re on an unseen clock.

I chose Santorini as my destination for the convenience of the flight as well as the picturesque white buildings meshed with bright blue sea.

What I didn’t expect was the sense of home I would feel upon arrival.

After receiving THE LAST SEAT on the plane, my Airbnb host, Irini, messages an offer to pick me up from the airport. If you’ve traveled ANYWHERE, you know what a huge relief it is to have your transportation from the airport sorted out for you. I accepted her kind offer and was greeted by her and her lovely daughter, Maria, who served as a translator throughout my stay. 

Instant Kindness

Pirgos Kallistis is a small town on the outskirts of Thera and where I resided for the week at Votris House. I was welcomed with open arms and the thoughtfulness of fresh baked Greek pastries. I truly have never experienced anything like this from an Airbnb host.

The instant kindness made the unknown so much more exciting and comforting.

Stumbling Around Thera

I took the bus into the city of Thera and found it to be just as crowded as you could imagine a summer in Greece would be. Regardless of the crowd, the city gave off small town vibes with views that looked straight out of a romance movie. I parked myself at a restaurant where the waiter gave me a city to-do list and free refills of wine.

I walked around Thera drunk off my ass while trying to pretend I was admiring the small alleys of the city. In reality, I was just lost. 

I, quite literally, stumbled across a viewpoint that forced me back into reality as I questioned how a place as beautiful as this exists and how many more places like this were out there.

I felt at peace, knowing that I could discover all the beautiful simplicities of the world.

Friendly Transit Experience

Catching the bus from Thera was an adventure of its own. Luckily, bus schedules were taped up and the drivers told all the stops they were making so you got on the right one. The Express buses were more expensive, so I opted for waiting for the longer/more scenic routes.

I just so happened to board the bus at the same time daily with this elderly Greek woman who later became an unspoken friend. We tried sharing bits of our lives through google translate, smiles, and polite nods when a phrase so obviously did not make sense through the app.

Being Content With Unproductivity

I could lie and say I discovered every single thing the island had to offer. However, I was tired.

The majority of my time was spent on my balcony with cheap wine and sleepy eyes. 

Disclaimer: Free Feet Pics Below

You’re Welcome;)

That is why this trip was so special to me. I spent it having quality time with myself and the people I met while there. On one of my last nights there, I sat with my view of the wine country and company from my host’s young daughter Maria. They made me Greek coffee and dessert as we discussed our hopes for the future and the state of the world. I felt very much a part of this small and genuine family.

Choosing Love Over Glamor

This trip helped me discover just how worldly I had been. If I’m putting all my cards out on the table, I wanted to go to Santorini for the fame probably more than flight convenience. I thought I would look like an influencer going to one of the most popular destinations in Greece. I know, that sentence disgusts me too.

I’ve learned that having that mindset means I am experiencing for other people and not for myself. Experiencing for myself means traveling to a country for the people, not the glamor. It means not building an itinerary around attractions and rather developing connections. I won’t always remember the specifics of my adventures, but I’ll remember how a place felt.

Greece felt like the comfort of your bed after a long night out. Like a phone call with your childhood best friend. It felt slow and uncalculated, a change to how I’ve always made myself live. It showed me a quality of life that I felt guilty for wanting to give into, undeserving of a slow lifestyle because that meant I wasn’t accomplishing anything.

Cleansing American Hustle

In all this, Greece taught me love. It showed me friendships that don’t take years to grow. Connections in free shots from a waiter who thought he made me uncomfortable. A to-do list of activities I never completed. Hand-picked fruit I forgot people have enjoyed since childhood.

This was the first trip I felt the pure exhaustion from the American lifestyle. The 9-5 hustle that would turn 8 hour days into 14. The lack of motivation because getting out of bed was hard enough. 

A Warm Thanks To My Greek Family

I have a lot of thanks to give to my hosts in Greece for the sheer kindness I was shown from before I even arrived. This mindless act restored my desire to be human. 

Not enough times can I express gratitude towards Irini and her family for taking care of me in a way I didn’t know I needed to be cared for. It’s insane how such a short encounter with people can rewire your mindset completely.

I spent my last night in Greece huddled over my phone on google translate, writing a letter in Greek for my dear hosts who had done so much. All the while hoping the way I was drawing out the letters wasn’t translating to something nasty.

Keeping In Touch

Since that trip, I’ve kept in touch with Maria via email as we share new experiences happening in our lives. I hadn’t been able to have a little sister since I left a toxic household at around Maria’s age, so keeping this connection makes me feel like I have a do-over. Like I can be a role model for a girl I see a lot of myself in. An achiever for those moments that bring quality.

Just recently, I have also connected with Irini through Instagram. It’s funny how life finds a way to remind you what you stand for when things start feeling bleak.

A Place That Set New Standards For Life

The world really is one big community no matter your location on the map, native tongue, or interests.

We are all in this world presently despite disassociation. Breathing despite polluted air. Growing despite a desire to be youthful. 

This post isn’t even really about Santorini.

I can’t give in depth tips about the attractions because that’s not what I recommend doing there.

The simplest yet most complex ask is to be present. To be fully immersed in any place you’re in. Communicating with others and being aware that those words are coming from your own mouth. Trying to love yourself in moments you feel unaccomplished.

Loving your impact on people’s lives is more powerful than any amount of money an occupation could give.