All of the stories and explanations in the world could not
have prepared me for the true sense of humanity that I have experienced within
the first few days of arriving on the Island of Crete. While I know that the
world is still turning, it feels as though on this island, time stands still.
The hustle and bustle of a city like Boston, is no where to be found. The
village of Alikianos, situated south west of Chania, a little ways into the
hills, feels like a fairy tail. It may seem small and rather impoverished at
first, but that is missing the point. It is not the material possessions of
consumerism that dominate peoples lives, but compassion and love, for not just
family, but friends and neighbors. In Alikianos, friends and neighbors are
family it would seem. I have only been in the village a short while, but it
feels as though I am home. In the morning when I go for a walk or jog, every
single person I see shows me a smile from ear to ear, and shouts the phrase
Kali Mera, meaning, goodmorning! No matter if they are just taking a stroll or
busy at work. I regret getting a overseas cellular data plan, as there is never
a need to look at a screen. I haven’t had to charge my phone for 3 days (back
home its about 3 times a day). As someone who is often anxious from the
constant bombardment of artificial stimuli, Alikianos is a relaxing haven.
While it is not all sunshine and rainbows, the people don’t sweat the small
stuff. The love of everything that is human by the people of Alikianos is truly
something I struggle to describe in words, it is one of those things you really
have to experience yourself.
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