Generous, Beautiful Greece

Have you ever seen the “Spring Break” shows on MTV? All the people running around look like they are having a blast. The group of us from Dublin that traveled together to Greece decided that we would have been a much more interesting “Spring Break” special. We deserved a spot on the Discovery Channel.
We were very lucky to end up in Greece over spring break. My fellow student and friend, Tom Giannakopoulos, has family in Greece. Could you guess he was Greek himself? His godparents live on the island of Rhodes in a tall called Trianda. He also has a family friend who now lives in America, but still has an apartment in Greece for when she wants to go back. She generously offered us this apartment as a place to stay. Generosity is synonymous with the people of Rhodes.
To express to you how amazing our trip to Greece was, I want to tell you three stories in particular.
Yamas
Our first day in Greece, our pale, Dublin white faces were greeted by the sun, a soothing breeze, and Tom’s Godparents. They picked us up and brought us to their home where were indulged in a home cooked meal—scratch that, home cooked feast. While we sat around their patio table eating fresh grapefruits and clementines from their fruit trees, their son serenaded us with a traditional Greek instrument. Before we knew it, the table was covered in bottles of water, wine, and Suma, the local alcohol; spaghetti with shrimp sauce (and past with butter for our friend April); stuffed zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, and grape leaves; homemade garlic toast with peppers and cheese; and the most delicious, fresh, refreshing salad that my taste buds had ever been tickled by.

Tom’s Godparents pushed food onto our plates while inquiring where we all were from. They asked about Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. We all cleaned up the table together and thanked them for the millionth time. We honestly couldn’t thank them enough. We had just eaten like kings. We all raised our glasses and said, “cheers,” which they quickly informed us was, “yamas,” in Greek.
But, the feast wasn’t over yet. We still had dessert. There were more of us than expected, so, Tom’s Godmother called her sister and asked her to start baking. Luckily, we were able to walk off some of the feast on our way to eat the freshly baked apple pie. I couldn’t wait to taste apple pie—I hadn’t had any since Christmas. However, Greek apple pie is extremely different. In my opinion, it’s ten times better! It is more like a cake and is covered in a thick, chocolate icing.
Throughout our dessert, I noticed baby toys everywhere and kept saying “shhh” to all my friends. When the baby finally woke up and came to join the party, I couldn’t help but look at her and say, “One day, you will go somewhere far away and I hope people are as kind to you as your family has been to me.”
Old Town
Tom had been to Rhodes before and was very excited to see it again through aged eyes—not to mention with nine of his friends! We woke up early and took off on the local bus for Rhodes, the main city on the island. In the center of the city is a castle. To be honest, I’m not much of a history buff—I would have been more excited to go for a hike. Little did I know, this castle was more than old buildings within a large wall. It was it’s own city! Just inside the castle walls, the city begins. There were tourist shops, restaurants, cafés, bars, and the most beautiful views! We walked out along the harbor and finally dipped our feet into the baby blue ocean. The wind whipped at our faces and it felt good—unlike any wind we had faced in Dublin. Some of us ate Greek gyros and others ate the freshest octopus and crab cakes around. We wrote post cards and drank Mythos, the local beer, in ancient squares. To put it simply, we spent the day amazed, smiling.

Lindos
It’s official. I think I am becoming lame. I no longer long to go on vacations where there are amusement parks or life size Disney characters. I want to learn. Lindos was absolutely amazing. We hiked up to the Acropolis. Want to talk about a view? I never thought I would see something more beautiful than the view from Prospect rock in my hometown, which looks out over the valley where my mother lives. But, I had never been to the Acropolis. To one side, you could see the town of Lindos. To the other, a baby blue bay that faded into a deeper blue. Tom looked down and said, “I’m taking you there.” We all filed down the hill into Lindos to grab some food before we went to relax on the beach. Some ate gyros, and others kebabs. I indulged in calamari and a real Greek salad. The feta was unbelievable on the tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cucumbers. I was full, and ready to continue my adventure.

When we made it to the bay, we all were in awe. Instantly, we all removed our clothes and laid in the warm sun in our bathing suits. Some of us went swimming, and other just left our toes in the sand. On one side of the bay, I spotted a chapel. I went to take a closer look and when Tom joined, he said, “Wanna see a great view?”
We immediately climbed up the rock face and just as my eyes got over the peak, it was like I was looking into forever. My eyes looked out over the open Mediterranean Sea. I walked back to the bay side of the rocks, and had a “HI MOM!” television appearance moment. I called to my friends back on the beach who waved back. I took a seat and soaked up not only the sun, but also the once in a lifetime moment I had just discovered.


I had always wanted to go to Greece and I never thought I actually would. I couldn’t be more thankful for this opportunity. I honestly believe that things happen for a reason. If I hadn’t gone to Champlain, I wouldn’t have ended up in Dublin. If I hadn’t gone to Dublin, I would never have gotten to know Tom. If I hadn’t met Tom—well, I could have ended up in Greece; however, my experience wouldn’t have received the generosity I did on our adventure. The world is full of places to discover, people to meet, and adventures that combine the two. I have the same wish for you that I do for the baby girl I met in Trianda. May you see the world and experience the same kindness I have.

Yamas!

The Anthony and Seannie Show

Matt, Casey, Me!, Silas, Stephanie, Claire, Annie, Jamie, and Anthony


Nine of us, in a taxi, chased two Irishmen around Tipperary.
It wasn’t your average field trip. It was pure adventure. Our day began early with a three hour bus ride heading south out of Dublin. Professor Anthony O’Halloran greeted us at the bus stop with hugs and handshakes; a real Irish welcome. He shuffled us into a cafe where we sipped on coffee and munches on scones and toast.
Without warning, his partner in crime showed up. Well, one of them. They shook hands and his friend, Seannie, a local politician and extremely good slagger, took a seat at our table. He asked us about home, which we told him was snowy, and our majors. Let me tell you, listening to Silas explain Graphic Design as quite funny. Anthony had explained he was taking part in a charity which explained why he was wearing a winter hat in the morning sun. He was sponsored by numerous people to shave his head and raised money for a local hospice.
The day was a mess of discovering parts of Ireland people drive past everyday and never take time to stop and look around. We looked at a memorial, which Seannie created, for children taken from their families and placed in a house where they learned to work, sew, and clean; a well once used to bless women with fertility; we looked at a castle, once occupied by... the post man; and the entire valley which Tipperary lays in from the top of a mountain.

Post Man Castle


Throughout our trip, it seemed half of everything was planned. All of our planned activities were wonderful; however, I felt that when the two Irishmen hopped in the little silver car we chased, they were saying, “What else can we show these kids?”

Anthony beating Casey in a race :-)


When we looked out over the valley, Anthony opened the taxi door and said, “I was thinking about you when I planned this!” It was the most beautiful Ireland I had ever seen. However, there was one other place where I felt more at home than anywhere in the past two months.
We went to a farm. I was jealous of Willy, the farmer and friend of Anthony’s, Wellington boots, and disappointed I didn’t have my Muck’s because all I wanted to do was walk through the “Maternity Ward” of the farm and see the most recently born calf. She was about six hours old. Yet, I did spend a solid ten minutes letting one of the calves, about two weeks old, suck on my fingers. My classmates looked at me like I was insane, but she didn’t have teeth, or any formula left in his bucket; she was longing for some attention.
I felt at home. Before we left the farm, Willy’s wife insisted we come in for tea. Our cups of tea were accompanied by finger sandwiches, cookies, and a sweet, raisin filled bread. Willy, his wife, their two sons, and daughter, Orla, sat and discussed having a couch in the kitchen, the weather in Vermont, and of course, football. Anthony and his friends laughed about the many times they sat at the kitchen table together. They were a family.

Willy, Seannie, and Anthony


At the end of our day with Anthony, we sat down at a pub for a pint. Just throwing it out there, “going for a pint” is simply a figure of speech. More importantly, at that pub I made a friend. I don’t know his name, and to be honest, his name doesn’t matter much. He was sitting next to the fireplace with his grandson. Seeing how his grandson was about ten, the little boy sipped on Coca-Cola through a straw while he put back straight Jameson.
I was standing next to the fireplace and he insisted I sit down at the table with him. He asked about my day, and I told him that I had found “the Ireland I had been looking for.” We talked about the farm, the potential fishing spots in the area, and most importantly, how people in Tipperary ask you to sit down at their table. Our conversation made me think of a quote I had seen on a wall at the Guinness Storehouse. I said, “Home isn’t where you’re from, but where they understand you.”
The man, his grandson, and I tapped our glasses together.
“Cheers.”