One thing I’ve been completely blown away by is the fact that everything we do, somehow outdoes the last. Today we spent a good amount of time in the car but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t enjoyable! We saw some amazing views of the gorgeous gulfs between the mainland of Greece and Euboea and the many towns that dotted the coast.
When we arrived in Volos we visited the local synagogue which was very small yet extremely breathtaking. The Jewish community in Volos is very small, around 100 people and only two of them are children so their future is in peril. We were lucky enough to meet some prominent members of the community and the stories they told of how their parents survived the Holocaust was fascinating. The entire city of Volos felt very alive and in so many ways, completely different from how it felt to be in Athens.
When we left Volos and headed up Mount Pelion we rode the bus as it precariously wove its way up the winding mountain roads. The towns that are nestled on the cliffs of Mount Pelion are some of the most amazing towns, and the few that call them home are so lucky to live in such unique homes built into the cliffs. The town of Makrinitsa, which is very close to where we are staying in Portaria, is such an amazing sight that I felt it was ripped straight out of a fairy tale. The thin stone paved roads that were lined with romantic ice cream parlors and souvenir stores had the typical gifts as well as stunning art and handmade jewelry.
Despite all these amazing aspects of the town, I found my favorite thing to be the local animals. While some might be off put by stray animals freely roaming the streets, the majority of these lovely creatures were exceptionally friendly and would hang around as you pet them and scratched their backs.
Honestly, I’m convinced the whole experience was a dream. Words and images cannot give today nearly enough justice and I have no doubt that I will cherish my memories of this trip which will last me my entire lifetime. The places we’ve seen, people we’ve met, and things we’ve learned are absolutely life changing and so informative to learn about. I wouldn’t give this experience for the world.
Owen Brelsford is a student at Winchester Thurston School.