Vacation Reflections

I know I spoke about my vacation to Minnesota, & I promise that I will have funny stories to tell, but I want to spend some time reflecting on a vacation I took about a year ago.

A year ago, I had the opportunity to spend some time in Greece. There I learned so much, that I just want to share some of my experiences.

Some things I learned in Greece:

Seafood is ALWAYS better when it is caught the same day you are having it.

I learned the joy of a three hour dinner. To just sit around for hours, laughing, talking, sharing, and experiencing wonderful food is something that I have come to appreciate. Our meals would last for hours, no one was in a hurry, the food was wonderful, but really it took a backseat to the experience of sitting for hours with friends and strangers, learning about each other and how in one way or another we are all connected. The smells of fresh food, the noise of clanking glasses, the sounds of the streets, and the pure pleasure of conversation is something that I will never forget, and have brought that back with me.

Spiritual events do not always happen in a church. We had the opportunity to see the lighting of the Olympic Torch. Sitting there, on the grass, in the same place that the very first Olympics took place, and hearing the ancient music, seeing the ancient dance, and watching the fire of life start it's travels around the world sent chills up my spine. I was a part of a moment that will forever remain with me. It was the most moving experience I have ever had. It was as though I was suspended in time and I saw the past and the future. It was a moment, where I was a stranger in a country, and I was made to feel like I belonged. For the Greeks to share this ancient experience was nothing short of amazing..It is something will never forget. The moment literally brought tears to my eyes, and when our bus driver..A true Greek, hugged me, and said "I am so happy to share this with you..My friend. Welcome to Greece, you are now one of us" Really that was a moment unlike any I will ever experience again.

Laughter is the best sound in the entire world.

True frienships are something that happens when you least expect it. Niko & I clicked immediatly and we were soon inseperable. To find someone who had as much passion for the things I did was fantastic. He could read my moods and vice versa..we spoke a total of 10 words to each other before the trip and by the time we landed we were chattering nonstop and found a true connection. To have a friend share with you his true self is amazing, and I thank him for that.

Eating outside, with a view of the ocean..yeah nothing beats that.

Except maybe a view of the Parthenon at night from your hotel room.

Love is universal. Love is amazing. Love is something that must be handeled very carefully. I learned that you have to really treasure the love in your life, to mourn its loss, and to understand that in time, love will come again. Love is unpredictable, and love has a sense of humor. Love will surprise you, smack you upside the head, and then run away and demand that you chase it. And yes, sometimes love never dies, and if the tides are right, the fates are in your favor, and if you are willing to work for it....sometimes love rekindles itself.

UNO makes a GREAT drinking game.

I would not recommed sobering up in the cold ocean at 2am, when the rocks are REALLY sharp...not a good idea..though it was kinda fun.

Dancing in the street is an experience that not enough of us have..TRY IT!!!

Eating outside has become one of my favorite things.

Sitting outside, in the pitch dark, on a rock by the ocean, looking up at the countless stars, really makes a person feel small, yet like a part of the world. It's corny, but we are all looking at the same big sky, and that is an amazing feeling..shooting stars are also a sight to be seen.

Moonlight walks along the ocean..a must.

When something is missing in your life or your relationship..find it, or change it, or get out of the relationship...relationships with people are complicated, but to try to be with someone, on any level, when something isn't right, or off, or missing, is a waste of energy..you can't make that something appear..it is or isn't.

Long bus rides aren't so bad when you share them with friends.

There is so much more that I will share, but for now I think I need to rest and reflect even more.