The Adventure to Come – Documenting Cultural Heritage: Artifacts and Traditions

By Jason Peercy

The orange and red sunset of Apollo slowly fell beneath the deep blue of the Aegean Sea, the home of Poseidon, turning the cloudy sky of Zeus purple as island mountains of the Ourea recede into the night, the realm of Nyx. I am only one of many passengers on the Blue Star Naxos ferry to Paros. Tired from the long flight and sleepless day in Athens navigating trains and panhandlers to wait for the ferry, it was at this moment that the trials of the day washed away. I was renewed in my awe of nature and excited for the adventure to come. Struggling to remain awake, the call to port is announced over the speakers. I feel the adrenaline rush through me one more time. So many new experiences, and so much new information to take in, I was running on fumes and ready to rest. Gathering at the large doors of the ferry, anxious to see this land that was new to me but ancient in my mind for the first time, I wait to exit the ship. The boatswain moves the rope, and I walk off the ferry, one of many into the unknown.

The first thing to greet me was the light of the moon as it rises over the mountain guarding Parikia. I have fallen in love with many places before in my life, but never so thoroughly as this. With Selene’s kiss warming my heart, I hop in a cab to the Villa Katerina. I take note of the shops, taverns, and restaurants still open in the middle of the night. The people of the island seem to be thriving now, though I did not yet understand why. I arrive at my room after speaking with our custodian, happy that the journey was over, yet excited that the journey had just begun. Somewhat refreshed by finally arriving, I ventured out into the night to find a spot to have a drink and mingle, for a short time with the locals. As I walked around the streets, I began to understand the people of Paros. It is a small community. Many of the people still at the restaurants were Parians, not tourists. They were speaking of family, community, the work to be done the next day, their trials and joys. As I sat down with my drink, and interacted as best I could, tired from my journeys. With the long trek finally over, I gazed into the night over the sea, curious as to what new adventures awaited.