Day 11: Free Day at Marathonos Beach

Right on the tail end of our life changing Meteora trip, we were all given the choice of relaxation, refueling, and reflection at the college or at the beach at Marathonos.  I chose the beach with 13 others!  We woke up early, (Kalimera) did an early wash of laundry, hung it on the line, and jumped on the bus.  

                                         

Every bus driver has been wonderful, and today did not disappoint.  He was so proud of where he was from that he shared some insights over the loudspeaker and took a detour from our route to show us the area where his parents lived.  It was another quaint city on the seaside of Greece. 

After that quick trip, we visited the starting line of the Greek marathon.  We took pictures and appreciated the quick tour with Dr. Lawson’s providing context.  It was inspiring to think of the people that have begun their race here to take in the enormity of the official Olympian starting line.  I thought it was very fitting as we have been on this trip, and everyone is getting something from it.  You can see the wheels turning and the connections being built.  I am sure the reflection will continue once we are all home, but it will also be their starting line for a new direction or launch from the path they have created.  To enjoy the experience, some students even ran back to the bus from the start.  I am more of a take-it-in-stroll-back-to-the-bus kinda girl.

We got back on the bus, and in a few minutes, we were dropped off at the beach.  We were welcomed by a sprawling set of beach chairs with cushions. As we found our spots, the group enjoyed cool beverages with a hot sun that was soon to be cloudy and vendors walking around with jewelry and trinkets to sell.  As I sat, I appreciated the people around me and their acceptance.  I feel part of the group as an outsider and a visitor with the loving care of the Greece Cohort.  I enjoy hearing about everyone’s journey, challenges, and the trip's impact.  It is inspiring to see those taking on their challenges and then taking on new ones.  Lighting the flame within!  The flame burns so hotly from them that they also catch others on fire.  I can feel the entire team paradoxically building a sense of momentum from the relaxation of the day.

A few sat, walked, swam, and waded in the water.  While walking on the beach, it did not have shells; it had many smooth rocks.  It reminded me of when I was a child; we called them “worry stones”.  We would go to Gatlinburg and find them in the streams.  My mom would always tell me to keep it in my pocket, and when I had a worry, I could rub the stone, and my worry would go away. 

The only worry I had was the storm rolling in.  It was nothing like home since it was clouds and drizzle.  But like a well-planned tour, we walked over to lunch at a table under a canopy on the beach.  As we waited for our food, we heard from the other team at the college. They had helped others by taking clothes off the line before the rain and then enjoyed sandwiches in town.  Each had reports of relaxing, reflecting, and refueling for the next adventure tomorrow.

The food came at this restaurant that Dom recommended, and it did not disappoint.  Fried cheese, plates of 4 different dips, fish, chicken kabobs, calamari, fries, and tzatziki was a cultural emersion that we all cherished.  Some of the local cats enjoyed it as they played along the beach and begged from below our feet.  We wrapped up the day as we always do with some gelato and ice cream, and today they shared a plate of Loukoumades that was like beignets from New Orleans with more honey and syrup. 

Today, we are halfway.  We will continue to deconstruct and understand.  Rebuild as we better understand ourselves and others.  Cultural emersion within Greece and within ourselves.  Through my battles in life, I would have never dreamed of being on a beach in Greece, enjoying such a dream of a day.  It was not supposed to happen.  Three to five years, they said.  Words that change your life in the way that you chose them to.  I look around at the gift from God that has been given to me.  A beautiful day, with beautiful people with lovely food.  I have learned that nothing is promised to us.  Every day is a gift, and while some days we wish we had a return option, this one was a blessed gift to me and the cohort around me.  My story is just one, and while I carry my burdens, so many others carry their own. One is not greater than another.  While our burdens alone seem heavy, when we are together, the burden is lightened when we all carry them together.

Each day is a rich and precious gift from God, with new grace and new opportunities. “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”. Psalm 118:24.

Thank you for your acceptance and the fun so far,

Shelly Persson