Salutations!
It is a Shamus that only one person is here for the last student blog post. So the swan song of such a sequence of student submissions is Sir Solitaire Shamus (the Strange-Slash-Silly) of Shamrock. I can certainly try to make this last post count. Shall we get started?
I came on this trip for the sake of a completely new experience. I had no plans and little idea of what was actually in store when I decided to myself to take this class. I also just so happen to love Greek culture, mythology, and food. My first college class back in Tidewater Community College was in Greek Mythology, which climaxed in us developing a Modern Greek Goddess of the Internet, Internethis. While there was always a large love of Greek culture in my household, that class really awakened my love and set my interest in this course. In learning about Paros in particular, I really liked the idea of studying quarries, statues, buildings, and/or any other marble marvels. I really didn’t know what to expect in any case.
What expectations I did have, though, were handily met. I really enjoyed the food, the flowers, the atmosphere, the sights, and (most of all) the solid work I got to do. I especially enjoyed the solid work involving flowers. I have had a nice time exploring this new country and meeting all new people. I never touched video editing before and barely did any photography, so even the technological skills required were new to me. I didn’t even use Photoshop, and I figured that was the one skill I had from beforehand. Nonetheless, I still tried to do well in whatever was needed to decidedly mixed results, but things still worked out well.
There was undeniably a lot of drama here and there, yet (as dramatic and theatrical as I am) I do not have the taste for such talk. Each of my fellow students had something great in their own way, in some manner. This was particularly great with Logan and Korey, who were the best project members I could ask for this venture. Albert and Thomas handled each of the many twists and turns with a calm competence and an understanding heart. Alcey really helped keep us together and personally helped me keep together in the worst of times. I really will miss these people and will seek to meet back with them in the states. I would never think I would have this many new friends, gained so quickly. I have certainly changed and grown over my time here.
If I had told me from a month ago that I would have abandoned Objectivism and accepted my inherent altruism, I would have smacked myself upside the head.
If I had told me from a month ago that I would have not only be completely fine with being alone, but fully desiring it, I would have smacked myself upside the head.
If I had told me from a month ago that I would start believing in magic, I would have smacked myself upside the head.
So, summing-up the trip, there were quite a few bad elements, but it was still worth going. I think each of us changed for the better, despite our occasional scrapes and scuffles. I seek to further travel across Greece once this is over, and perhaps travel the world more years from now. I most of all hope to do that with friends.
Sincerely, Shamus.