As many of my classmates have stated in their own blogs for the day, it is extremely difficult to find a single moment that defines my experience in Greece these last few weeks. In fact, I can't choose a single moment that will adequately describe the impact this experience has had on me. It is the sum of all the little moments that made the experience what it was, and leaving even one of them out would change the experience entirely.
That being said, the moments that helped me to absorb and understand my experience were the moments spent sitting at a cafe with friends, or watching a sunset or the lulling waves. These moments allowed me to reflect on my experience, either with the help of others or introspectively.
I truly did not want to leave Greece. Every sunset and every landscape I viewed was more beautiful and awe-inspiring than the last. The people that I was with became family during the three weeks we spent together. The thought of this experience coming to a close troubled me each time I realized how much time had actually elapsed on this trip.
Waking up in my own bed this morning was bittersweet. I am home. I can see my friends and my family; I can continue my life. But I dreamt of cafés and the Mediterranean and the people. Waking up to find that the experience was truly over was difficult to accept. I realize though, that if the experience had not ended, I may have never truly appreciated it the way I can appreciate it now.
A few days ago I had breakfast in Rhodes looking out at the Mediterranean, this morning I sat in Denny's staring out at Pacific Avenue. The experience may be over, but the memories of all the little moments will stay with me and add to my sense of identity forever. I have added the past few weeks to my list of life-defining and life-changing experiences. And while this has been one of the greatest experiences of my life, it had to come to an end for a new adventure to begin.
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