Parting Ways

Brian and Christina were going to head on a ferry back to Athens around 4:30. We had one last day together in Santorini. We walked around Fira for a little bit, got some crepes and headed to the port. The day was uneventful, as any travel day is. It was also bittersweet, seeing as I had spent the past ten days with them, and would be spending the next 15 on my own. It seemed a little weird to have them leave. For the most part, we had a good time together. No major fights, nothing really to have worried about (thank God!).

Brian and Christina's ferry was actually delayed, so we waited around the port for a long time. I ended up getting on a shuttle to my new hostel in Perissa Beach. When I got to my hostel, I ended up meeting a girl from South Africa. We spent the rest of the evening together, walking around Perissa, doing a little shopping, and chatting a lot. We told each other of our travels, and she mentioned that she hadn't met as many people as she thought she would have here at the hostel. Most of the people were either at the end of their travels or traveling in groups... so it was refreshing for her to have met me. We walked along the water, got some dinner and a carafe of wine, and just chatted the night away. It's funny how easy it is to open up and talk to strangers. We were able to share stories at the drop of a dime, moving seamlessly from story to story, and sharing a lot in a short amount of time.

That's why I think traveling is so great, especially meeting strangers. You get to learn, connect and reflect. Either you meet people who are very similar to you, or meet people who are completely different. Either way, you learn something about yourself, about other people and about the world. As sad as I am to have my travel companions leave-- cause let's face it, it makes it easier not to have to meet people to do things with, I'm kind of excited to embark on a new journey of stepping out of my comfort zone, sitting at a table with strangers, and learning from others, and learning about myself. Let's see if that happens. The next part of the journey might be lonely... or it could be just as great as the first.

Today, I rented an ATV and went around the island. I went to Red Beach, and a few other places that Christina, Brian and I didn't have a chance to go to. I simply too photos of the island, met a few Canadians, and chilled out-- a much needed break.

Tomorrow, I head to Rhodes... a day of travel because the only transfer I can get to the port is at 11, and my ferry is at 2:45. Oh well. Thankfully, I brought a book to read and help me pass the time!

Now... you're all caught up! Yay! I promise, photos... sometime soon.