My Favorite Place

by Jamie Trull (United States of America)

Making a local connection Greece

My Favorite Place My best friend Lauren and I have traveled around the globe together and we always find the best deals and the best prices, and when we found a last- minute booking for a 10 cruise to the Mediterranean for dirt cheap, we jumped at the opportunity to go. We met some amazing people on that trip, from all over the United States, to amazing people from England, Australia, and Jamaica. When it came time to choose our excursions, we agreed on most of them. When we got to Santorini, Greece, we could not come to a compromise. So, we settled and went our own way. She went to the natural springs and I went to the Santo Winery with plans of drinking in the sun and looking out at the beautiful scenery. On the way to the winery, a few of the older ladies we had met from Australia the day before in Pisa, Italy noticed I was single for this excursion and demanded I join them. I was 23 and they were 70+, but we had the most fantastic day at the winery. The people who ran the winery were so gracious and plied us with the most amazing wine. I, of course, ordered some to take back to the United States. And the women who initiated me into their Aussie club were the most gracious ladies who, despite our vast age difference and our geographical backgrounds, had the best day looking at the most vivid blue water of the Mediterranean Sea and the alabaster white houses and churches of Santorini. Afterwards, I went to wander the island. The island s was created when a volcano erupted about 60 million years ago! We went in June, so the average was about 84 degrees Fahrenheit and being about 1,000 feet about sea level, the breeze made for a very comfortable walk around. Being that high up also provided me the most breathtaking photographs one can imagine. I was lost in my own personal Heaven, taking photos and just breathing in the salty air and all the excitement around me. In my travels around the island, I chatted with Greek men and Woman who offered me samples of their island fares: food, drinks, natural herbs, Greek olive oil, nuts, and of course, more wine. The people were so welcoming and were so proud of their Greek heritage. Almost everyone I spoke to told me they had small prayer huts or small churches on their properties to reflect their faith and that each property was blue and white to reflect the Greek flag. I was fascinated with each person’s story. As I walked, everywhere is topped, tourists and locals alike were eating, drinking, and dancing and I joined in every time. And the cuisine was so robust. I must have eaten pounds of nuts, Gyros, falafel, Feta cheese, and lamb and pork. The cuisine matched the culture; diverse but completely proud to be Greek. And of course, more wine, and a new drink to try, Ouzo! And to celebrate every new “friend” I had made on that island, a shout of “Opa”! I spent the whole time off the ship there and when it was time to get down from the Caldera (what the Greeks refer to as the island that came about after the volcanic eruption), I had too choices: I could take the rail, which was like a ski slope hanger that takes you from the bottom of the island to the top of the island, or I could walk down the donkey trail or try my luck riding a donkey down. I opted to walk down the donkey trail and each donkey and guide that passed me, gave a greeting and a head nod from the donkey. It was the most unique way I have ever walked down a hill. As I waited to get back on the boat (and, most importantly, make sure they got my wine down in time), I reflected on the day and decided that in all of the travels I had participated in, Santorini was, in fact, my favorite place.