Chasing sunsets that never happened

My first night on the island of Santorini I watched the sunset in the captial of Fira.

But typically when you see pictures of a Santorini sunset they’re taken in Oia, another coastal town north on the island often referred to as the jewel of Santorini. The island is small so you can usually reach beaches, or neighboring cities on a 15-30 minute bus ride from Fira. I was walking on the Fira steps where the town becomes distant as volcanic cliffs by the ocean become the eye candy. The steps are also littered with donkeys in case someone wants to ride down or up.

I had wanted to go to Oia, but wasn’t sure which night I would go. This trip has had a list of must sees, but in no particular order. I’m just going where the wind and my emotions take me. Either way, I started talking to another solo traveler from the Ukraine who lives in Greece and was visiting Fira while making my way back up the Fira steps. He’d never been to Oia either, so we made spur of the moment plans and headed to the bus station.

While I love doing touristy things, a lot of my trips are fueled by the chance to find a unique spot and line up the sky perfectly in my camera lens and capture the spot. I do and feel the best when there are no restraints on my creative energy. I saw a little church in the distance and suddenly got obessed with the idea of taking a picture of it. I also just can’t help myself when it comes to taking pictures of religious buildings. I’m obsessed. The architecture and maintence is usually taken with such high care because it is a place of worship.

After more wandering, I was getting excited as the sunset time was nearing. But it was so cloudy it never happened. This is hilarious to me. Traveling brings out the unexpected. You fly near around the world to see an iconic sunset and the weather prevents it. Regardless, Oia is beautiful during the day and I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I passed up the chance to go.

I unknowingly booked my trip during Passover. A chapel right next to my hotel in Santorini was (presumably) celebrating last night and began lighting off fireworks. Once again, I was taken aback by the magical place Greece is. And Santorini is even more magical then Athens. It was especially perfect since in Greece time my birthday had just started.

A few of my friends called and wished me happy birthday when it hit midnight in the US or India. I feel so loved and so grateful – so thank you to the wonderful people in my life. A burning question on everyone’s mind seemed to be “what are the big birthday plans?” Apparently me being in Greece wasn’t big enough, but that question wasn’t unwarranted because I’m obsessed with birthdays (especially mine.)

The past few years I’ve had get togethers and major parties because I love being loved and showing people how happy I am that they’re in my life as I get a year older.

As for this year, I just wanted my 23rd to start off with breathing in more Greecian air, soaking in more Greecian sun, letting myself relax or wander – whatever makes myself happy at that moment. And maybe have some ice cream or baklava while watching the sunset, because I am in Greece and this trip is ending far too soon.

XOXO With Shanti,

Mel