My Moment in Greece

Kelsey It's hard to believe that it's time to reflect back on Greece already. It seems like I just found out that I was accepted to go on this trip, and now I'm already home. I think being back is going to take just as long of an adjustment period as traveling to Greece did. Walking into my abandoned apartment last night felt so strange, like PLU had forgotten about me, like my home had become a ghost town. I thought, is this really where I belong? The barren kitchen and empty closet seemed to say otherwise. And while I never really enjoyed dorm living, it felt so quiet to sleep in a room all by myself last night. I know I'll get used to life here again, but it may take a bit.

As I sit here trying to think of my moment in Greece, there's really only one answer that perfectly describes my moment in Greece: Delphi. Everything about this experience perfectly summed up what I was looking forward to about Greece and what I loved about the trip. One of the reasons that I was so excited to visit Greece was because of my fascination with Greek mythology. I'd read so much about the oracle of Apollo in literature, and the chance to actually visit its location was tremendous. I am so thankful that I chose to go on this J-term trip because of all the ancient history I was able to soak in. Just being in these locations and trying to imagine how they were thousands of years ago was mind-boggling. As we climbed the many stairs to the stadium at the top of the mountain, I thought how appropriate it is that tourists too make this hike. Like the ancient Greeks seeking the oracle must have trekked up these stairs, so modern day seekers of the oracle too must climb these stairs. We are still following in the footsteps of the ancients.

However, Delphi was much more than just the culmination of my learning or the epitome of history; it was the feeling the place exuded. High up in the mountains, the air is much clearer than it is in the city. I could understand why, according to myth, the ancient Greeks considered Delphi to be the center of the world. In this place, it feels as if the earth and the heavens connect, like you could speak directly to the gods. It was a spiritual feeling to be so high in the mountains, surrounded by trees and a glimpse of the water so far away. As the sun streamed down from the sky, Delphi seemed other-wordly; so far removed from the constant stress of city life, it was as if all your troubles were unimportant. It was a peaceful, spiritual feeling that transcends words. No wonder the ancient Greeks chose Delphi as a location for an oracle.