Helllllooo friends! I’m saying hello in English today because, guess what, I went to an English speaking country! This post was written immediately before my flight (however... time got away from me so I am posting it now).
I was given a week off to visit some friends from my exchange semester, which is very needed because I’ve been feeling a bit burnt out as of late. However, as I’m sitting here at the airport waiting for my flight, I’m feeling emotional about leaving Lesvos, even if it is just for a week. Although I am very excited to see my friends (who I said goodbye to almost exactly one year ago) and get a break from the island, I’ve fallen so in love with Lesvos that it is hard to part with her.
Sitting in the taxi on the way to the airport, I was thinking about how anxious I was upon arriving on the island. I was anxious to hail a cab, anxious about making friends, and unsure of what my accommodation would look like. And here I am, 3 months later, easily grabbing a cab (and speaking a little Greek in the process!!!) after having a lovely lunch with my friends and saying goodbye to my incredible housemates (and my adorable little room with the most beautiful view).
There’s so many things I’ve grown to love about this place (although I feel that I am becoming repetitive in saying that). It’s crazy to me that I am currently living in a place where I can go for an evening swim anytime I am feeling stressed, walk up the hill and see the craziest view of all of Mytilene, and sit and enjoy my coffee under jasmine trees in the morning.
And of course, the people. One of my old housemates said it best, Lesvos is the only place where you can sit down to have a coffee at a cafe by yourself and by the time you leave 6 people will have pulled up a chair to sit there with you. I’ve found myself sitting at tables I never could’ve imagined myself at a year ago, where every person is from a different generation, religion, ethnicity, and walk of life.
On the plane ride to the UK I am listening to an album recommended to me by a retired couple from Wales that lived in the volunteer house with me for a month (they were absolutely lovely!!!). As a parting gift, they left a list of albums for me to listen to that they felt fit my music taste, so this is the soundtrack for my plane ride...
This Could Be Texas by English Teacher
The Surfing Magazines by The Surfing Magazines
Giggles with Tilly and Char at the hot springs
May have been my most gorgeous evening swim
The garden at Parea, a community center for refugees
The garden part 2