Time seems to work differently here in Greece. Maybe it’s because I’m in a new and unfamiliar place. Days pass by, and I feel like I’ve spent both mere seconds and an eternity here on this incredible island. The whole experience continues to feel surreal to me. Every time we leave the villa where we are staying, I can scarcely believe I’m finally here in Paros.
I’ve spent the past two years working, prepping my application, and saving every penny so that one day I might be able to go with the School of Informatics and Computing to Greece. And now that I’m finally here, I can’t believe it.
Yesterday, a few friends and I took the bus to the town of Naoussa on the northern part of the island on our day off. We stayed for dinner and explored the town and a bit of the coast. After our adventure, we passed a restaurant that felt oddly familiar. I realized it was the exact same restaurant as the one in the picture on my vision board at home that I had made at the beginning of the year with the rest of my family.
I can’t believe I went to the exact spot on my vision board. Within just this first week, I’ve seized dreams I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to afford, let alone experience. I must come to terms with the fact that when I return home, nothing will ever be the same. I will be a wholly different person than the one who boarded that plane in Indiana. I’m going to be a different person when I get back, and as much as that scares me, I honestly can’t wait to meet her.
For someone with so many mental obstacles, such as ADHD, Anxiety, and PTSD the relaxed and seemingly carefree lifestyle of Paros is a wholly different world. It’s a completely different way of life that I’m grateful to experience, if only for a little while. I am someone who is used to having a strict schedule and detailed planning. So, while this new lifestyle of “we’ll see when we get there” is a little unnerving, it’s also a chance to sit back and relax and enjoy the culture surrounding me. To be able to break away from the busy and hectic mentality of American life is a blessing
Despite the relaxed mindset of the island, I have found myself being more active than I am back home. Practically everything I need is within walking distance; ATMs, shops, restaurants, the Institute, bakeries, even the ocean. I walk everyday just to explore the gray and white cobbled streets of the town of Parikia. The mountains inland and the crystal-clear waters of the island make walking to my destination a new and breathtaking experience. I find myself enjoying the task of walking to and from places. What was once a chore is becoming an adventure or relaxing activity.
When I applied for this trip, I was worried my social anxiety and other mental issues would get in the way of me making friends. Boy, was I wrong. I have quickly become friends with the other students here. We’ve gone on several adventures together, from simply getting money out of the ATM to visiting new towns on the island. We already have several running jokes and enjoy spending time hanging out and enjoying food together.
Here in Paros, I’ve been able to experience more. One thing always leads to another. Buying breakfast at a bakery leads us to enjoying pastries along the shore and taking in the view of the ocean. Walking to the institute for class in the morning leads to fantastic photos, going out for gelato at night leads to meeting new and interesting locals, petting cats, and getting to better know the students sharing this adventure with me. Even the interviews we had today for our projects have led to a greater understanding of another culture so alike yet so different from the one in which I was raised.
All in all, Greece has been an unforgettable experience which has taught me a great deal so far and will continue to teach me as I remain here for the rest of my stay.
Georgey Elaine