Stronghyle, Caliste, Thira, Santorini…whatever name you are going by these days, I feel blessed to have met you.
As I was preparing for my trip to Greece, people would ask which islands I was going to visit. Two things would happen. Before I was able to say the names of where I was going, the person would say, “You’re going to Santorini, right?” or, I’d hear that slightly audible, “Oh good”, after I let them know that Santorini was on my list. Fifty percent of these people had never even been to Greece themselves but clearly the word is out. Everyone that knows me, knows I love to take pictures while I run or just doing everyday things, but I can honestly say, I don’t think I’ve ever taken more pictures in one place in my life. Well with the exception of the Golden Gate Bridge…that girl’s always popping up in my photos.
One day in Santorini we hiked the Caldera. The Caldera is named for the shape that Thira (pronounced Fira) has taken after the Minoan Eruption. One giant cauldron. We chose the route from the capital city Thira to Oia (pronounced EEYA) WORD NERD ALERT, I learned that when there is an O before the I in Greek it’s pronounced as an I. For half of the hike we were walking through high-end hotels and homes. In my next life, I think I’d very much like to spend a few days in one of these places. The other half of the trek is climbing hills, stairs and sometimes even, rocks. The rocks weren’t always stable and going downhill felt like you were sliding in snow at times. We passed churches and other religious structures perched high into the hills with their tiered bells, characteristic blue domes and white crosses. I wondered if some of these structures or places were used anymore. I was wishing to hear those church bells ring throughout all of the Caldera just once. In some faiths, including the one I was raised in, people will light candles for another person to either send them good health, a good intention or maybe to keep them safe. Out there on the Caldera I wasn’t able to go inside any of the churches, but outside a cute one that appeared to have just celebrated something with it’s blue and white streamers flowing in the wind, we came across what I’d like to think is the perfect intention box. Atop one of the hills someone had set a little tin house with a wide-open “front door” to welcome in intentions. People who had come before us either to pass by on their way to the next town or maybe people who attended this church regularly had placed stones inside this home. At this point the stones are coming out, but it didn’t stop us from each setting our own intention for someone or maybe ourselves. Throughout this trip, I’ve seen lots of “mini roadside churches” or Kandilakias and was curious as to what they were. While it can be used to signify the loss of someone in a tragic accident or someone who survived a potentially fatal accident, it can also be used as a public place of prayer. I liked this makeshift Kandilakia the best because I wanted to believe that people of many different faiths and spirituality have come by this house and all of our intentions are living as one in one of the most beautiful places you could imagine.
After finishing the hike all I wanted was what I normally get after a long or hot run…a GTL of course. Thankfully Starbucks has not found it’s way to Santorini, but I thought when we stopped at a café at the end I’d just ask them to mix their green tea with their lemonade. Upon asking the waiter, I got a “uhh it won’t be nice. I uhh am just being honest.” WHAT? It can only mean one of two things, they don’t know the goodness that is the GTL yet or either their Green Tea or Lemonade is gross. I can tell you after some extensive research over the past few days in different cafés and tavernas, it’s the Lemonade that was not my fave but the Green Tea was divine.
While in Santorini, I received a message from one of my first SF Speechie friends that she too was in Santorini. We’ve let time go by and seeing each other in SF does not happen often, but I do believe it was the magic of Santorini that let us meet up and catch up again.
The Sunset in Santorini is a big deal…some might say huge. Folks will post up along the cities of Thira, Imerovigli and Oia to catch a glimpse of the yellows change to oranges, pinks then reds. There is no denying that the sunset is gorgeous but when we weren’t posing or taking our own pictures it was loads of fun watching all the models of instagram do their photo shoots. One girl, bless her heart, was trying to capture the perfect pose while perched on a “railing” of sorts along a hotel. She tried once and kept sliding. But determined she was and got right back up there only to fall off the other side and down into another hotel. My first reaction was shoot, I hope she’s ok and my next was man I hope someone got that on film. (For the record she bounced up rather quickly so don’t think I’m too mean). Oh and them church bells…they rang right after sunset…magical.
Dinners in Santorini were pretty much the same as what we experienced in Crete. The hosts want you to come “check their lists” and then want you to stay at their restaurant for hours on end. They aren’t even necessarily trying to sell you anything more; they just seem to hate to see you leave.
Another day we took an excursion to the Volcano Island of New Burnt. This island is called New Burnt because it’s relatively young… Many years ago there was the biggest eruption in all of history and its repercussions wiped out the Minoan civilization covered the town of Akrotiri. It’s a shame too, because even 4000 years ago both women and men were treated as equals. Thanks to the still active Volcano on the island we had the luxury of swimming in some Thermal Springs…they have to call them thermal and not hot because they are not hot enough. Our boat dropped us off at the Harmony Port in Oia. To get up to the city, you can either climb a ridiculously steep staircase, or take a donkey up. It just so happened that ride a donkey in Greece was on my to do list, so I was able to check that off. My donkey definitely had a mind of it’s own and kept trying to get to the front of the pack. Clearly he did not get the memo that I’m more of the middle of the pack kinda gal. After taking the somewhat scary ride up the mountain, we were rewarded with those sweet sweet views of Santorini.
We decided to walk around Oia and stick around to see the sunset from another point of view on the island. The girls and I had some time before that so we were able to get some refreshments (that yummy green tea) and then hit up the shops. We met a new friend named Nicholas who swore he was going to change our world with his hats and scarves…maybe next time Nicholas. We posted up on the top of Sangria to take in the sunset of Santorini one last time. Nights out or anytime we spent in restaurants; I fell in love with many old songs. Greece does a good cover of almost any song you can imagine. At Sangria we were in for a treat because we got the original version of Mamma Mia and gosh did it feel right! (You know you’re singing the song right now)
Santorini, I came for your sunsets, but I’m leaving with so much more. And while the pictures don’t do it justice, my memories of my time here will always be in focus.