Cherishing the Reality of a Grecian Dream: A Journey of Challenges and Joy
I have always dreamed of visiting Greece. After a year of planning, I finally made it there.
I had a vision of how being on a Grecian island would look and feel. While I came close to realizing it, the reality and ideology didn't actually coincide.
My vision was quite “romantic”. I imagined myself strolling through villages, soaking in the culture and mingling with the locals. I envisioned walking with ease, barely breaking a sweat, with the wind caressing my skin and clothes.
The reality was that it was hard walking the islands. The old cobblestones and steep inclines were daunting, even with my trekking poles. My face was beet red and sweat was dripping. I had to find strategic places to rest, which was nothing like the leisurely stroll I envisioned.
I almost cried the day we arrived in Santorini and the taxi dropped us off at the bottom of the road that took us into Oia.
The hill ahead felt like a mountain. Disheartened, I was afraid that I would fall flat on my face before we even reached our cave house. Sucking it up, I started walking. With every step, I felt like I was carrying the weight of the world. I was relieved when we finally made it to our lodging.
Santorini is the island that everyone thinks of when they think of Greece. The white buildings with the blue roofs did not disappoint. The romance was definitely there. I saw it daily with all the couples clamoring to take photographs in front of our cave house with the blue door and bougainvillea climbing up the white walls. And the sunsets were to die for.
It didn’t feel romantic to me when I struggled to walk around town, a far cry from Meryl Streep in “Mamma Mia”. The climb was steep and could be considered treacherous if I didn’t pay attention to where I was walking. At one point I wondered what would happen if someone needed an ambulance because Oia, where I was staying, only allowed foot traffic or donkeys. I am certainly glad that I didn’t have to find out.
There's no way I was going to spend all five days in our cave house, not going anywhere. I was there to see Greece, not to hide because I was too afraid to be seen as unable to walk some stairs. It felt like I had reached a crossroads, I could either wallow in self-pity and despair or I could navigate the stairs the best I could.
Taking full advantage of resting spots along the steep paths made the climb manageable, even though I felt embarrassed and ashamed to use them. Another reason to hate my body. However, I reminded myself that I had come all this way to experience a different culture and I wasn’t going to let my lack of stamina stop that. My trekking poles were an absolute godsend and helped me navigate the walkway. They gave me the confidence I needed to keep going.
Next stop was Rhodes. The walking was easier there, but still intimidating. The incline wasn’t as dramatic compared to Santorini, and the streets, wider and more forgiving. However it still took determination to walk around Old Town Rhodes. This allowed for ideology and reality to overlap a bit. This time I moved around with enough ease to stop and talk with some of the locals, getting more of a feel for what it is like to live on the island.
Rhodes doesn’t inspire the same romanticism as Santorini, however it is beautiful in its own way. The water was absolutely stunning. Never in my life have I seen water so clear. I could even see my feet and the fish. The flowers were blooming, adding such wonderful color. The smell of jasmine permeated the air and added a sweetness that couldn’t be matched. I loved walking around the village when the wind was blowing, cooling me down and carrying the sweet scent of jasmine. I felt more at ease on Rhodes, maybe because I didn’t feel the need to hide who I am because some of the tourists looked like me.
While staying there, I took the ferry to Symi, another island. I walked around the perimeter of the bay, which was enough of a challenge for me. At one point, I sat on a bench catching my breath, and another woman joined me. She told me she lived on Symi for four months each year. She shared what it was like to live there, highlighting how peaceful it becomes when all the “daytimers”, as she called them, leave on the ferries. It was wonderful to hear about her experience. My biggest takeaway was, even the local people, who walk these roads most days, have to rest before they continue on their walk.
Walking anywhere in Greece is not for the faint of heart. There is a part of me that wishes I had listened to my surrogate father and improved my body’s stamina and endurance a bit better before traveling. Another part of me wanted to see if it was “doable” in my current condition. “How do I navigate the islands in the body I am in?” Honestly, I had to, because I didn’t want to miss out on what my Grecian holiday had to offer.
The mismatch between the reality and ideology of traveling in Greece didn’t stop me from enjoying my time there. I learned a lot about myself while there. I learned that I don’t want to settle for just a little. I want it ALL! I want my romantic vision to match my reality just a little bit more. I want to move around with more ease so that I can enjoy what is around me. I know that I don’t have to change my body shape, however I can work on increasing my stamina. I have started walking most days. I can’t say that I enjoy it, however I like the results of having more energy and ease of movement.
I still have the “romantic” vision in my head but now it is tempered with reality. I plan on going back to Greece again. Knowing what I know now and knowing what I want from my experiences, I can safely say that I am motivated to make that happen.
I loved being in Greece. It made me feel alive and full of joy, in spite of its challenges!
Martha Treder
Soul Searcher | Activist
I have always valued community and cultivating connections. I’ve been reflecting on my next steps and part of that is sharing my thoughts and journey. It’s not just about my story; it’s about creating a community where we can all connect, support each other, and grow together.