an ache, a yearning

Tonight I've been reading back through a friend's travel journal from a semester spent abroad and now I miss Europe. And Athens.

 

I miss the sight of the moon hanging over the Acropolis during a midnight walk, watching sunsets from a hilltop, and wandering down Adrianou after getting gyros from Tony's. The chaos of the big city - Monastiraki on a Sunday morning, Plaka at dusk as the tavernas fill up, Psirri at 2am, Ermou on late days when the shops stay open past five.  The random peaceful moments - walking back to the apartment through Plaka at 3am when the streets are deserted, free of tourists as the shopkeepers close up - climbing Filopappou on a bright afternoon to take in the staggering view of the city's massive sprawl - long lunches at Byzantinos, lingering over bread with olive oil, teeming bowls of tortellini, and endless conversation with good friends. I miss ferry boats, standing on the top deck in the middle of the night - alone in the vast darkness, watching sunrise on the Mediterranean, coming in to Ios just after dawn on the overnight to Santorini, the expression of awe on my friend's faces as we approach the staggering cliffs of the port at Fira.

I can't wait for May, can't wait to show Sonia, Dylan, and Andy my favorite place.  I need so much to share it with people who will appreciate it the way I do.  And I need to get back - to the city, to the islands, to me.

~RLM