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ecently, I had the opportunity to fulfill a dream and fly to the beautiful, white-washed, volcanic island of Santorini, Greece. When I first saw Santorini on television during the 2004 Olympics, I was drawn to learn more about this magical place. For the next four years, the idea of a trip there kept pulling on me. I felt like God's hands were pushing me out to sea to experience something I needed to connect – or reconnect – with for some important reason.
Maybe it was my oldest sister's travels to Greece when I was a little girl. Maybe it was my Mediterranean heritage. Maybe it was a desire to be free of my fears of traveling safely by myself to a foreign country where I knew no one. Maybe it was a connection to the Minoan art and culture I would find there…or maybe it is true that this is one of the areas thought to be the "lost continent of Atlantis." Or, maybe I just needed a vacation and, since this was my 50th birthday year, this would be my gift. I'm not sure, but I followed my inner guidance and began preparing for my great solo adventure.
In meditation, I would ask, "Why am I going there? What am I to do or learn while I am there?" I always heard back the same thing. "GO AND SOAK UP THE ENERGY THERE, FEEL IT, BREATHE IT, BASK IN IT, BE IN IT, AND BRING IT BACK WITH YOU." And so I did. I feel cleansed, purified, re-energized and ready to take on whatever is next to come my way. Somewhere, somehow…I feel like I reconnected with a part of myself which "knew" this part of the world a very long, long time ago, and until I set foot upon this soil once again, I could not do anything else. This was something I HAD TO DO!!
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| Bluest waters of Aegean Sea |
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| Colorful Santorini Hotel |
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| Candlemas of the Lord Church |
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| Volcanic landforms in Fira |
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| Top of Oia...a 4 hour hike! |
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| Travel victory and spectacular views |
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| Cliff top homes overlooking caldara |
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For one week, I soaked in the sun, ate Santorini's famous tomatoes and feta cheese and delicious olive oil for breakfast, walked the delicately inlayed stone streets, woke up and fell asleep viewing the most beautiful ring of sea I've ever seen called the Caldara, listened to people speaking Greek, taking over 400 photos and soaking in the Minoan art from 3,600 to 5,000 years ago, crafted by one of the most highly advanced civilizations in ancient Europe.
I was taken in by the gentleness of the people there. One woman told me, "Greek people don't stress over anything." when I asked her about the tipping at her restaurant. I liked that. Everything seemed to flow and fall into place, even through four airports and navigating around by foot, city bus, and taxi. I learned a lot about myself by going solo. I learned that I am OK with myself and by myself, and the world is mostly full of friendly people.That was the message which kept being shown to me. Even one day when I ventured out for four hours to another city and felt the sensation of, "No one in the entire world knows where I am at this very moment,” I still felt OK. I was completely swept up in the moment of knowing this dream had come true. I WAS IN GREECE!
I thank everyone who helped me achieve this REALLY BIG DREAM. I am most grateful to the lovely people at the Hotel Aressana who pampered me for six nights…the first two under a beautiful full moon. I suppose I learned so many things it will take some time to integrate all of them, but for now, I think back to this beautiful island in the Aegean Sea where people build their little homes with blue domes on the edge of the cliffs of a "sleeping" volcano. All the beauty there was created out of so much destruction. Maybe Santorini is a metaphor for my life…and maybe for yours a little too. Not knowing when the next eruption, shift, or change might occur…IT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO LIVE IN THE PERFECT "NOW" MOMENT and enjoy all the richness around us. Everything is impermanent. Live each day to its fullest, no matter what.
So, I ask you…"WHAT IS YOUR WILDEST DREAM, the one you have no idea how to make happen?" Think about it, put it out into the world, and see what shows up for you when you let go of the result. Maybe, just maybe, what you receive back will be something even greater than you could ever imagine!
May you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!
Much love, many blessings, and happy travels,
Juanita
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Golden sunrise over Santorini |
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Greek mainland and islands |
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