Why Greece?

Hi All,

I am currently writing this about three hours in on my flight to Greece! If you didn’t know I was going to Greece, well you’re not alone. I wasn’t hiding it, but I definitely didn’t advertise I was going. The plans for this trip has felt a little more haphazard than some I’ve taken in the past.

My last overseas trip was to India in December 2014. I’m sure you’re all sick of my constant nostalgia. So, I figured it was time for another trip. I remember leaving for India and writing about my love affair with the country and how I knew for so long I was meant to visit.

Greece and I have a different relationship.

A few things stand out to me. One is that I think the first time it hit me that I wanted to go to Greece is whenever the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants came out. Yes, I’m shameless.

And since then, Pinterest has nursed my early teenage dreams. (If you don’t have a Pinterest… if you select travel catergory I would bet you money there will be a picture of Santorini.)

At one point in me pondering between London and several other locations, I came across one travel blog that basically said: just go to Greece and finally just live the Pinterest dream out.

Also likely applicable here, for as long as I can remember my German immigrant grandma has told me not to marry a Greek boy. I won’t get into details, but it’s become a regular piece of advice told to me greeted with endless jokes later on.

But I’m ready to take Greece seriously now. I’m ready to bask in the history of the ruins. I’m ready to celebrate my 23rd there (because does anything cool happen for that birthday? It does now.) I’m ready to jump into this trip not knowing what to expect. And those of you who know me well, know that diving headfirst into situations out of my comfort zone are required for my sanity.

Being in transit for a loooooong time now (I took a Greyhound bus to Chicago and bummed around the city) I have learned a few potentially disgusting things about myself/had a few laughable worthy moments:

1) I am ridicously good at peeing and holding tight the bathroom door when its lock is broken. I learned this while being the only female on a Greyhound speeding 70 somthing mph down the highway at 3 a.m.

2) All of Chicago saw I was wearing black underwear. I love renting the city bikes there, but the dress I was wearing probably wasn’t designed for such activities. But those of you who knew my biking habits/accidental panty exposing this isn’t the most shocking.

3) For the longest time I thought Union Station was Chicago’s version of Grand Central. Welp, for those of you still living in a lie hate to break it to you. But, I’m likely the only person who thought that.

But seriously, don’t take yourself too seriously and just laugh next time as you’re narrowly missing pee running down your legs. I know I will.

XOXO with Shanti,

Mel