The Journey is the Reward.

I’m learning to stop and smell the roses—to always appreciate every piece of beauty the world has to offer for what it is, and for what it all creates together as a whole. To breathe and let go completely. Whether I want it to or not, Life goes on. While I want the moments to tangibly last forever, so that I can feel them as if they’re happening right in front of me.. they won’t. I have the memories I’ve created with every single person that has had an affect on my life, and has shaped me into what I am on this grey-sky day in Belgium. Those memories are a beautiful thing, and although not tangible, those alone will last forever and live vividly in my mind. I have no words to describe the pure happiness I feel, and how alive I am. The flame of my new passion for life has been lit, and it will keep burning as long as I am alive.

In the month of April I stepped onto an overheated 70-passenger bus with plenty of other eager exchange students looking forward to 10 days in a place called Greece. After hours on the road passing through France, Switzerland, and Italy we finally made it onto the boat which would take us to a country of olive oil, old ruins, and chicken with frites. The boat was only the beginning of unforgettable nights on the voyage of our lives. Sailing through the Mediterranean, our minds filled with expectations for the next 9 days that were to follow.
I still remember the exact feeling as if it were yesterday, perched on a rock looking down from Meteora after a not so safe hike through trees, bushes, and a trail we ourselves created.

After another night of packing, and heading out again on the bus which drove us not only crazy, but near a beach where under the moonlight and the stars we plunged into the salt water in whatever we had with us. A night which we wanted to last forever was followed by a morning crossing the sea to a small Island named Hydra, she was small and had a day full of adventure to offer me. I was greeted by the smiling faces of locals who were more than happy to share a laugh, and tell me of their days being stationed in Oregon. Through the flowers and the hills, I again found myself in a place I’ll never forget with someone near and dear to me. Breathing and soaking in the moment for everything it was. No fear for the future or regrets from the past, just the moment.. pure and simple in all it’s fascination.

Hours turned to minutes on the two-level bus as it became our moving home. Sounds of a soft ukulele still play in my mind.  We ended up in a place, Delphi. I wonder how many people knew that it was once all covered by water? Our tour guide was patient with a group of young adults, not yet trained to listen. With years of history all around us we saw some of the worlds most well known, beautiful man-made structures. And somewhere in there, I met a man named Ralph, who was once a man named Voldemort in a fairly well-known film.

 

Greece:
The places I will never forget, and the people who have changed my life forever.