Today I discovered the true beauty of the island of Paros. I lazily woke up around noon and decided to run along the coast. I stumbled up a beach which led me to a rocky coast with cliffs. I was intrigued and explored some more.

Marble covered the beaches and cliffs with the mountains off in the distance, it was truly picturesque. The sea has the most beautiful blue water my eyes have ever seen, featuring layers and layers of shades of blue.

While exploring, I ran into Daniel who was also running and exploring. Together we climbed rock cliffs and came across the countryside featuring vast mountainscapes, donkeys, and fantastic sea views. I could stare at the clouds rolling through the mountains all day.

Exploring the island was my best decision thus far. Paros features some of the most incredible views in the world if you find the right spots, which I made sure to do. At one point I was in a corner under a cliff alone from the world – sea and marble at my feet, slugs and urchins directly below the water, mountains in the distance, and sunny skies up above. I felt as relaxed as ever and at peace watching the mesmerizing waves hit against the nearby rocks and walls. Simply beautiful.

– Jacob Harris

My first few days in Paros have been indescribable. Yet I’ll try to describe them here now.

Where to start? It’s beautiful here. The weather is different every day. First it’s perfect, then it’s raining, then its hurricane-type winds, and don’t get me started about the mosquitoes. Don’t come here if you can’t stand mosquitoes.

The people are wonderful, and so is the food. I didn’t expect anything less, really. I’ve probably eaten my weight in tsatsiki and cheese in the four days I’ve been here so far, and I don’t regret it yet.

Cultural differences are many, but I’m able to adjust around them. It’s not hard to pick up that I’m supposed to bag my own bags at the supermarket, or that I’m supposed to greet everyone I meet on the street. I’m learning.

These last few days have been a blur of exhaustion, excitement, and fun. I’ve flown 15 consecutive hours over half of the planet. I’ve had gyros on the port. I’ve gotten bitten by more mosquitoes than I’d care to count. I’ve sung the Banana Boat song to complete strangers. It’s hard to be disappointed in Paros, and I look forward to the next three weeks I’ve got to spend here.

– Kate Peeler

What strikes me most about Greece is the people.  They seem to have learned how to balance their lives in a way that interweaves family and community into all they do.  Most of the businesses are owned privately by people who are surrounded by their family who, if they don’t actually work there, come and go as if they did.  These are largely the people who run the restaurants, markets, bakeries, hotels, bars, laundries, etc.  You’re usually safe to assume that the employees are related to the owner and/or each other.  Perhaps it is this close and constant association with the people they care most about that makes their work lighter.  They don’t switch from home mode to work mode like we do in the U.S.
The woman who owns the Villa where we stay is married to the man who owns the restaurant down the way (where you can get an amazing gyro and fries for about $3).  Their daily routine involves a seemingly complex arrangement whereby they each help the other while they both manage their children.  Throw in a hovering mother, a herd of cousins and you have a Big Fat Greek….something.  Almost every non-corporate business here operates in a relaxed environment.  Sure it’s sometimes frustrating to wait a bit longer to get your food, but the benefits mightily outweigh the drawbacks because the people are so genuine that you sometimes feel like you are also part of the family.

– Andy Townsend

On our second and first full day in Paros, our group received a crash course in the history of Paros and a brief tour of the city of Parikia.

The tour began around 10 a.m. near the port where we met our guide Avgi Kalogianni. She led us down the cobbled paths of Parikia where we experienced firsthand the rich history and culture of the island, including the cemetery of the ancient city of Paros, an archaeological museum, the Church of 100 Doors, the Frankish Castle and the ancient temple to Athena.

Her knowledge of the island and its history is what made the day. The biggest thing that I have taken away from her tour is that there is so much history that lies just under the surface that may be missed if you’re not paying attention.

The cemetery of the ancient city of Paros dates back to the 8th century BC and was perhaps the most intriguing of the sites on the island. The cemetery contains the burial mound of the cremated remains of around 140 warriors who died in a battle protecting the city. Cremation was not common among warriors, so being cremated was an honour.

The Church of 100 Doors dates back to the 3rd century AD and was founded by Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great. Most of the church was damaged in an earthquake in the 17th century – as was the temple to Athena which broke off almost completely into the sea – but was rebuilt and stands as a testament to fortitude of the island and its people

It was a beautiful day to tour the island and, although our trip has only just begun, it feels like we are already starting to feel at home on this island in the Aegean.
– Anthony Pacheco

Everybody has different travel stories, but we all share the same plan of flying into Athens, taking a bus to the port of Piraeus, and boarding a ferry to Paros. (Although I did have a brief and unintended visit to the island of Syros)

Anyways, after a long, boring night of catching up on 2 days without sleep, our group went out to lunch at a tidy little gyro shop, after which I finally had a chance to see some of the town.

The island’s main town, Parikia, is bright, with its white painted buildings vibrant under the vault of the cloudless Aegean sky.  I’ve not met many of its inhabitants yet, but my few introductions so far have been warm and welcoming.

Also lots of cats running around. I think I might like this place.

– Luke Brown

Today is a day of travel or final preparations for this year’s trip to Paros Greece.  Those who aren’t scratching their heads wondering what they are forgetting to pack are remembering what it was as they board the plane!

The graduate TA was the first to arrive and reports that the weather is great and the villa is ready for us to descend upon it.  The Villa Katerina is even better than last year.  They upgraded the pool facilities, installed luxurious shower heads in each room and even ditched the old 13″ TV’s on favor of wall mounted flat-screens – not that anybody will be spending much time watching TV. 

The most appreciated perk is the new coffee pot installed in each room!

Look out Greece – here we come.

Our group is gathering its resources and preparing for our trip.  We have had an orientation about Greek culture from a visiting Greek who is currently working in Indy.  The equipment is being assembled and split up for transport.  We are getting to know each other and their skill-set and look forward to another amazing trip to Paros Greece!

All of the students have left the island and just Thomas and I are left to contemplate the silence that remains at the Villa Katerina, the wonderful place we have called home for more than three weeks.

Friday afternoon we were able to use the Aegean Center in Parikia to show our work to a number of residents who have been so helpful in making this movie come about. We had a very nice viewing and great comments. They expressed their appreciation of our passion for this island and it cultural heritage. They asked why we want to make these movies. Our answer is that these types of treasures should be shown to everybody, and that people everywhere need to be aware of these archaeological sites that are truly the cradle of western civilization.

To be able to give something back to the residents of Paros, to the people who have so graciously embraced us, not as visitors, but as fellow residents, is the most rewarding aspect of bringing students here. Thomas and I have spent countless hours preparing to come to Paros, and I can say that it has all been very worthwhile for everybody involved.

We look forward to returning next year and doing it all again!

– Albert William

An interview with Yannos Kourayos

An interview with Aristides Varrias