Sara O'Rourke

Athens at Christmas



Posted: Saturday, December 25, 2010

by Sara O'Rourke

I'm sipping on a very creamy cappuccino, with a stray cat tickling my ankles and the sun, burning at about twenty, shining on the side of my face. The day ahead, as I envision it, will consist of, roughly, taking a casual stroll up the mountains, hiking around, eating a bit of gelato here and there and filling my pockets with pretty trinkets, eating an absurd amount of feta cheese, and finally retiring to a very springy, sandy bed, where I spilt ouzo a few nights ago. What a way to spend Christmas.

It has been the first time in my life where I have not spent the holidays with my family, that is, my parents and brother, at the very least. Instead, spending the few days of the festive season exploring one of the most vocal, lively and bustling capitals of southern Europe - Athens - has been the calling for me this year. Instead of accumulating chocolates and falling into a sugar coma by the television, I was climbing the steps to the Pantheon. Instead of building a snowman, I sailed to Naxos and watched the sunset. I feel it has been the perfect way to start my year of travelling and adventure - a real marker, definitive, of the beginning of something, and someone, new.

In less than a month or so I shall be flying to Melbourne, where I will be spending anything from six to nine months of 2011, studying, growing, making friends, the usual. Perhaps subconsciously the decision to spend Christmas away this year was a small-scale test to see how I would react to being away from loved ones at critical times, those that pull at the heartstrings and are meant to make you feel all warm inside. Perhaps I was trying to prove it to not only myself, but also to others, that I was strong enough, independent enough (in mind), to be able to detach myself from the sentiments of home. Perhaps I was just rearing to go.

What I have observed and learned, nevertheless, is this: even when you are in a totally different part of the world, where not even the weather is a small reminder of the environment you're used to, you can feel the presence of your loved ones all around. Benches around the city and in the central parks were dotted with couples whose love radiated to passers by; the city square was full of children, running wild and filling the air with laughter and joy; families and old friends filled the cafes and restaurants, reconnecting over lunch. Each moment, and each person, triggered a fond memory. Then, just as I was photographing an old church atop a hillside, overlooking the city of Athens, with its white buildings gracing the valley walls like a strange, Grecian snow, the phone in my pocket began to buzz. Home was calling to wish me a merry Christmas, and I knew I was right where I should be; not far from their thoughts.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by Jennifer Stewart
 1 year 146 days ago.
153 fans.
I admire your adventurous spirit, Sara! Have a wonderful time in Greece, and thanks for sharing your experiences...
» left by LeahG Artist
 1 year 140 days ago.
192 fans. Follow LeahG Artist on twitter!
You write beautifully as always. Whether it's in your grand plan or not, I predict you will be a famous published author one day. Happy New Year!
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