Greece: Day One

Melbourne girl in the Mediterranean. 

I’ve finally done it. I’ve managed to pull myself together enough to make it to Greece alone. I knew that it was possible, deep down inside I knew I could do it alone, but actually doing it, I feel is a feat in itself. You may read this and think, Tina, you are ridiculous, its not that hard to travel overseas alone, especially when it’s a trip you have done five times before; well, that’s at least what the voice inside has been saying all along. But for me this trip isn’t just about taking a well-deserved holiday, it’s more to prove to myself that I’m ok with being alone. An expensive test perhaps, but knowing that I can look after myself and enjoy my own company is priceless.

In 2006 I came to Greece with my father for the summer. We stayed on our island for almost four months. When I think about a time in my life when I was sublimely happy my mind immediately goes back to those four glorious summer months. During my time there I kept a journal, a journal that essentially turned into a play-by-play 12,000-word document of observations and random thought. I read this journal often. Some of the entries are filled with nonsense but it’s a keepsake that I treasure. So I’ve decided to take up keeping a journal again, but this time I will share it.

So… here goes- entry number one.

It’s Friday the 20^th of July and I have just arrived in Athens. I am currently sitting in the hotel bar outside on the warm summer’s deck drinking frappe and I am exhausted. I am staying in the Sofitel hotel at the Athens airport as I was sternly told to avoid the city centre due to the unrest that lies with the Greek people as a result of political and financial issues the country is currently facing.

So far Greece is as I remember it, but I am sheltered by the airport confines. The news is showing me footage of protests in Syntegma Square, where parliament house is located. I have visited this square many times before; in fact this square is at the head of Ermou; my favourite shopping district in Athens.

My heart is heavy with what is happening in the city. It’s a sad feeling to see a place I remember so well torn apart by the same people who built it. Anyway, I’m sure I will have more to add to that topic.

In the morning I will catch a bus to Lefkada to then catch a ferry that will take me to Meganisi, the island where my family is from, and my version of paradise. The bus ride will be an excruciating six hour drive to add on top of my already 24 hour travel count.

As I have switched to my Greek persona I will not sign off as benny, instead I will sign off as Konstantina, as this is the only name I'm going to hear for the next 5 weeks!

<3 Konstantina!