Adjustment

I have now been in Greece for a little over 2 months. It has been an amazing experience so far. I have met some great people, have traveled to some incredible and beautiful places, and have learned a tremendous amount in my job and in life. However, as they say, the honeymoon period is over. 

It is not a wholly bad thing. I know how it works...I have read all of the pamphlets and books on moving to new places, on taking a new job, on learning new things, of adjusting to a new culture and a new language...there is always the initial period of excitement and learning, and that adventure of being somewhere new and experiencing everything for the first time. And then, the phenomenon of "culture shock" sets in. It is completely normal. Everyone experiences it in some capacity or another. It happens at different times to different people. The realization that you are not "home" any longer, that things you have been used to are different than before, and that you have to establish new routines and support systems. For some it hits right away...for others, it can take up to 5-6 months. For me, it is hitting now. 

So how have I been feeling it? Various ways. I feel extra stress at work (it is already stressful but I am seeing projects and issues I really want to fix but am also realizing I am only going to be here 2 years). I feel unsettled at home. I have my "things" but they are not all in place and it still feels like I am just here visiting. I have met some wonderful people but we are still feeling each other out and getting to know our quirks and preferences and the trust is still being built. I have been striving to take care of my body and be healthy, but I have had a few ailments (minor) and have hit a plateau in my weight loss and my overall feeling of well being.

So how have I been dealing with it? Again, various ways. Trying to schedule my time effectively at work and keeping in mind there will always be work and I really cannot revert to my workaholic ways :) (for those of you who know me, quite a challenge). Unpacking everything from the boxes in my house, plus  putting pictures of loved and familiar people and things where I can see and enjoy them. Trying to eat plenty of good fruits and veggies, healthy snacks and yogurt, and other good-for-me foods. Striving to work out consistently. Trying to be a good friend and colleague...a good listener, a good supporter and overall a good friend. And finally trying to remain social outside of work and on the weekends. Some of these are easier than others to do....Some I am not being successful at. But I am trying :) 

So this weekend it kind of all hit me full force. So I wallowed in it on Saturday...let it take me over, and broke contact with everyone for a day. Decided to have a "mental health readjustment day" and just let it all in. Not sure a therapist would have suggested that....but it seemed to be what was needed. Today, I am better. I woke up early and went for a walk/run through my neighborhood, cooked a nice breakfast for myself (which I enjoyed outside on my veranda) and then proceeded to get things organized and settled in the house. It is a cool, partly cloudy day, and I have now lit some candles, I made some date muffins for the week, and my house feels a but homier. And I feel better today. 

I know this is part of life. I normally would fight it as long as possible and then freak out when it hit me. But I am not going to do that. Life is what it is. I won't freak out. But I will push forward. That is how life works, or so I am told. When something knocks you down a bit, it is important to rise back up, shake off the dirt and dust, and keep going :) 

Until next time, from a partly cloudy and cool Athens, 

Becky

Song in my head right now: "This too shall pass" by OK GO

http://youtu.be/UJKythlXAIY

Hydra...not the terrifying monster but the gorgeous and quiet island

Mythology has it that the Hydra lived in the swamps near to the ancient city of Lerna in Argolis. It was a terrifying monster which like the Nemean lion was the offspring of Echidna (half maiden - half serpent), and Typhon (had 100 heads). The Hydra had the body of a serpent and many heads (the number of heads deviates from five up to one hundred there are many versions but generally nine is accepted as standard), of which one could never be harmed by any weapon, and if any of the other heads were severed another would grow in its place (in some versions two would grow). Also the stench from the Hydra's breath was enough to kill man or beast (in other versions it was a deadly venom). When it emerged from the swamp it would attack herds of cattle and local villagers, devouring them with its numerous heads. It totally terrorized the vicinity for many years.

Luckily, the island of Hydra has no such beast, nor is it related to this mythical creature! :) In fact, the only "beasts" that inhabit the island, other than humans, are donkeys (and lots of cats!). The island has been preserved in that there are no vehicles allowed on the island, which adds to its quaint and lovely nature. I did find the one vehicle on the island...the elusive garbage truck...here it is creeping along one of the mountain roads collecting its wares! :)

 

I arrived on Hydra not feeling the greatest because of a stomach bug or something...but I figured I could either be sick at home in bed or sick on the beautiful island...and my tickets were non-refundable...so I chose the latter. There are several fast boats from the port of Piraeus to Hydra daily so I took a Flying Dolphin and arrived about 2 hours after departing. I arrived late and it was dark, and I had no idea where my hotel was, but I just wandered and asked people in Greek (and they all answered me in English), and eventually, after a very steep, and very interesting climb, through the small town, I finally found my hotel, The Hotel Nefeli. The owners, Brett and Alexandra, were wonderful hosts. The hotel was small but clean and nice. And a plus was the breakfast that was included in the price! Here is one of the photos of the port upon arrival...

 

 

The next morning I woke early and set out with Sophia Persephone (my camera) and took a long walk through town, and down to the port to get some morning photos. The sun was just coming up, so there was a really nice light. One thing I saw a lot of in Hydra was cats! They were everywhere. And at one point, as I was walking up a hill, there were 4 of them following me...I wondered if I was a pied piper :) Some of the photos from the morning walk....

 

The donkeys doing their daily, hard work

Cats and donkeys abide in Hydra

The view of boats in the early morning port

This windmill is named "Sophia Loren" :) It overlooks the port

I looked down and saw a cat perched among the rocks! He actually looked really comfy :)

A monument and tomb

I also laid on the beach and relaxed during my time in Hydra. The beaches in Hydra are rocky (medium-sized pebbles and small stones), not sandy, so I was glad I had brought my wading shoes with me. It always amazed me when people can walk on the pointy rocks like it is nothing. The water was cool and refreshing and it felt heavenly after walking around in the heat. I stopped at a few beaches to experience the differences...the first one had music, was more commercialized, had a bar and a waiter, had families with kids and lots of activity. The second and third beaches, were more laid back and quiet and secluded. There were tavernas close by, and there were families, but it was more relaxed and less active. I preferred the secluded and quiet ones :) I didn't have my camera with me for fear of getting her wet or damaged, but instead was just able to lay in the sun, drink lots of water and Greek limonada, and read my book (I actually finished 2 this weekend...it was grand!).

The second morning, I got up early and hiked up to the second highest point of the island where the Prophet Elias' monastery was located. It was a gorgeous, and challenging, hike. Most of it was paved with really nice stone paths but that didn't actually make it easier :) I was hoping it would! When I got to the monastery, it was closed...the priest was actually down in town! But I was able to get some wonderful photos....the view was very much worth the hike up the mountain. The weather was cooler than before (thanks to a huge rain the day before) so it was very pleasant.

The "Pirate Arches" near my hotel...the path led higher into the city and eventually to the walking path that led to the monastery (after twisting around through some side roads)

The path heading up the mountain to the Monastery

View of the city and sea from about 1/4 of the way up the hill

Abandoned windmill (without the sails) on the path up

Windy path ahead!

View of the windmill and the sea

Couldn't seem to get enough of the ocean

Instantly thought of my brother and his work on the wind turbines! :)

Sign for the monastery...wearing proper clothing means having your skin covered...hence the reason I always travel with a pashmina now :)

View from the monastery gate

View from the back side of the chapel

Heading back down another path to the town

After my hike down, I headed to the beach and strolled through a couple of towns...very relaxing. The weather was perfect...and I even was able to get a little sun :) After the beach, I took a water taxi back to town, then had a light dinner while watching people in the village of Hydra. At one point, one of the many cats hanging around jumped in my lap and meowed at me to pet him...so I did. Another cat had made himself at home curled around the neck of the statue in the port. It was fairly comical. I still wondered how he was going to get down. I tried to get a photo...didn't turn out great but you get the idea :)

I also enjoyed a wonderful dessert called "Kantaifi"...a wonderful blend of honey, pistachios, shredded phyllo dough, and a cream in the center...based on an Indian dessert I think (my good friend Divya made sure to let me know what it was before I went!)...then I promptly went into a sugar coma! :)

After walking around the village, people watching a bit more, petting a few mules, and buying a few little trinkets (including my magnet from Hydra), I headed back to my hotel as the sun was setting so I could pack and get some much-needed sleep. I was surprised how sore and tired I was from the hike up the hill, as well as all of the walking and the stair climbing to and from different places in town :) I did get one final, wonderful shot from my balcony as the sun was finally coming down...it was a truly lovely weekend. I will definitely be heading back to the island of Hydra again. I highly recommend it if you are in Greece :)

 

 

Until next time, from sunny Athens, Becky

 

Song in my head: Ta Kalokairina Ta S'Agapo (translation (I think!): The summer the love) - I have heard this song a lot lately, and heard it while sitting in a little café one evening in Hydra...it is a song of summer love...and I am definitely in love with the island life of Greece and the summer :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwaU1x8rZrQ