A Greek State of Mind

It's amazing how fast a week goes by. Even though the pace of life is generally slower in the Greek islands, somehow time just flies.

Another trip has come and gone. At the beginning of the trip you meet a group of people who are complete strangers and by the end you know all about their children, how they react to stress, and what makes them happy. You all share this intense experience, and then it's done. For the most part people go their separate ways and it all fades into memories and photo albums. The ephemeral quality of this community doesn't make it any less real or valuable, it just leaves you slightly breathless and disoriented. It takes me a couple days to find my feet again. 

A week ago we were hiking down the Samaria Gorge and I had the pleasant experience of finishing the hike in full daylight, a first for me. Everyone was feeling strong and energized, so I got to fall back and take in the scenery, including the rabbits and quails tucked into backyards on the way into Agia Roumeli.  We saw plenty of kri-kri, and made sure not to feed them. 

Another day brought us back to Loutro, one of my favorite places. Conditions were absolutely beautiful for paddling and we made it to the port town of Sfakia for lunch.  In Loutro there are several restaurants lined up along the shore that all serve grilled meats. They have several spits turning at all times, rounds of pork, whole chickens, and goats with the heads still attached. The aroma is mouthwatering and wafts across the water at night. 

We had good weather all the way to Plakias, and then things changed. The wind came up, clouds rolled in, and the second to last morning was blustery indeed. The paddlers experienced just how fast things can build on the Libyan Sea. Everyone arrived at our stop in Palm Beach in one piece, but that was the last paddling of the trip. The sea was a mess of whitecaps with winds howling in from the north and rain squalls blowing through. Our last night in Gallini was punctuated by torrential rain showers and brilliant rainbows, as was the next morning. It was a beautiful way to say goodbye to Crete. 

It's hard to say goodbye to Crete, with its lovely people, amazing scenery, and incredible food. I'll be going back every chance I get.