When my friends suggested we go to Greece for the second long weekend, I agreed
immediately. There was no other option—I had grown up on Percy Jackson, memorized
more Greek mythology than I’d like to admit, and I will never turn down Mediterranean
food. Before my friends had even finished their sentence, I was already saying yes.
Athens:
Our first day started at the Acropolis. Walking up the hill, you are surrounded by ancient
ruins that somehow still hold their grandeur. We saw the Parthenon, the Temple of
Athena Nike, and other remnants of what used to be one of the most powerful
civilizations in the world.
Our tour guide made everything come alive, explaining the myths and meanings behind
each structure. To engage the kids, she directed even the most basic Greek mythology
questions exclusively to them, much to my dismay, and, I’m not going to lie, it hurt me
emotionally. So I quietly seethed every time she asked and they answered incorrectly.
Just kidding. Kind of.
After the tour, we went to a restaurant recommended by our guide, and it just about
changed the trajectory of my life. It was family-style, meaning each person ordered a
main dish, along with extra vegetables, sides, unlimited bread, and dessert for the table
to share. We ended up with a copious spread of Mediterranean food (think fresh bread,
rich dips, and perfectly seasoned meats), and it was so delicious we stuffed ourselves
so full we nearly exploded over the walls. I don’t gatekeep, it’s called Taverna Sxolarxeion. Say "thank you, Rebecca." You are
so welcome.
The Cruise:
The next morning, we were up early for a 10-hour cruise. A taxi picked us up from our
hostel and dropped us at the harbor, where we boarded what was essentially a yacht. There were a ton of CIMBA students on board, so seeing a bunch of familiar faces
was super nice.
It wasn’t very warm, and the wind carried a slight chill, but whenever the sun broke
through, the temperature felt perfect. Every time she peeked out from behind the
clouds, I’d jump out of my seat to sprawl out and sunbathe until she disappeared again.
We stopped at a few small islands, walking along white-sand beaches lined with
turquoise water, admiring green mountaintops in the distance and the constant salty
breeze as we picked up little trinkets and drinks, before reaching a stop where we had
the chance to jump into the ocean, which, to be clear, was freezing.
It was a hard no from me. I had a tiny hand towel I’d snatched from my CIMBA dorm,
the wind was strong, and I had zero desire to be cold. Every scream from people
jumping into the ocean only validated my decision. But then my friend gave me the “you
thinking what I’m thinking?” side-eye and I caved.
The water hits you like a shock. It is freezing, the salt immediately goes up your nose,
and for a split second you regret everything. But then you come up laughing, fully
awake, your nervous system suddenly shocked into total alertness by the cold. And
aren’t cold plunges good for your metabolism or something? I needed it, after the lunch
yesterday.
Santorini:
Santorini looked exactly like a postcard—deep blue domes, stark white buildings, all set
against the endless sea. The sun was out and shining but it was not as hot as we
expected. The island was breathtaking. You know what else was breathtaking?
Stray cats. Everywhere. So many cats. If you love cats, this is your place. Cats.
We had the best gyros I have ever eaten in my whole life, spent part of the day at the
black sand beach, hunting for seashells and cool rocks while sipping on smoothies.
And then, just like that, it was time to head home.
Final Thoughts
Greece somehow lived up to every expectation I had—and then exceeded them. It was
history and mythology and incredible food, but also spontaneous moments, like jumping
into freezing water or getting way too invested in a tour guide’s trivia questions.
If you are even slightly considering going, take this as your sign. Go for the ruins, eat as
much food as possible, and do not overthink the cold plunge—you will probably end up
doing it anyway. And pet every single cat you come across. Pet. Them. All.