Quote: Traveling was an experience that had only occurred state-side for me until this trip to Greece. My anxiety was eased and shortly, followed by excitement and exhaustion when I realized that we had finally landed in Athens. After we loaded onto our bus, we rode for twenty minutes to catch a ferry to carry us to our first real destination, Aegina. An hour ferry ride, enjoying the cool sea breeze and just enough sunlight hitting our faces to keep us warm, we reached our destination.
Aegina is a small beach style island; calm, quiet and above all friendly. The shop owners and people passing on the streets met us with an eager hello and a warm smile. Stepping off the ferry and onto the streets of Aegina felt like a time warp, not because of jet lag, but because the people of the island just take things slower. We all settled in and took some well deserved rest before our adventures began the next morning, which was a journey to the archaeological museum and site on the north side of the island.
At the top of the archaeological site the wind was strong and cooler since we were close to the sea. The water it was dark blue, like butane fire and the closer you got to the coast it lightened and had a variety of blues, similar to a turquoise piece of jewelry. From up here all I heard was the sound of the boats making their way through the water and bells chiming every so often coming from the harbor. It was a nice break from the sounds of scooters whizzing by. With the cool breeze I could smell the freshness of the sea with a hint of smelly fish of course. As I continued to look around I realized it was a simple, but beautiful landscape laid out before me, consisting of rocks, ruins, trees, beaches, and the sea.
The beaches, both visible from the top of the site, had several things to see. One beach had a man playing in the shallows of the water with his son; the beach was empty and relaxing. To my left I saw boats leaving the harbor or heading inward to the docks. A small fleet of sail boats, equipped with white sails that looks like toast points was heading out to sea. The group moved in the way a flock of birds would. Back to the dock there were a pair of ferries that had just arrived in the harbor. The sound of the clanking from the anchoring being deployed filled my ears. All of the passengers would be rushing out soon, just as we had upon our arrival to the island.
Every now and then we heard loud car alarms going off from around the harbor; the wind carried the sound to where we were sitting. The ferries had filled the air with the smell of their exhausts, a smell now all too familiar. The streets reeked of scooter and car exhausts. In the distance I could see some other islands, which appeared uninhabited. It was difficult to see clearly, though; the further you get it appeared that there was a dense fog, shielding my view as a white veil would, from the other islands.
As I sat there, I started to get sleepy and my mind had begun to wonder. Initially I was thinking how thankful I was for the cooling breeze to subdue the heat. Gradually I came to missing home a little, but I was nowhere near ready to leave Greece. I figured I was wishing I had the chance to truly share this experience with all the people I care about. From that, I thought of my family and realized where I had been sitting, writing and enjoying the breeze, was once the home of someone else and their family. I wondered how things were for them and the thought of how much everything has changed was fascinating.
On my second day in Aegina I took a chance on a small café near the water front for an early morning nudge of energy. The workers were friendly and spoke broken English, just as most of the island inhabitants had so far. With my smoothie, which tasted like it had just been made from fruit picked that morning, fresh and crisp, I made my way to the bus station to endeavor to the other side of the island and the Temple of Aphaia.
The temple is the most complete in Greece. They were built for the gods, so people could pray and worship to them. The temples are large, magnificent, and high up so they would be the closest they could get to the gods. The ingenuity of the ancient Greeks and how this structure had stood the test of time was, in clichéd terms, jaw dropping. The temple stood at the top of the mountain, worn by time, but remaining timeless. Each crack in the original mold seemed to tell a story, and kept us guessing about what was yet to be told.
Next, far off in the distance you could see the town, where everything was quiet. Most of what you heard was the chirping of birds in the surrounding trees. The trees, which resembled giant bushes, were providing us with little shade to protect us from the scorch of the sun. There was a subtle breeze cooling the bead of sweat on the back of my neck. The hilltop we were on was surrounded by several others in the distance; all covered in vegetation, looking godlike themselves, tall and majestic. The furthest I could see, was the sea, still gleaming an almost metallic blue, shiny like flecks of silver as the sun hit the water.
The trip down the mountain was quick, and after soaking up some sun and suds on the beach down from the mountain, we headed back to our lofts. The remainder of our trip was spent enjoying the town and taking in the culture. Walking around the quaint, picturesque town was enjoyable and welcoming at every turn. Each shop and eatery owner smiled and gave their sales pitch as we strolled by; every person added to the personality of the town, laid back and welcoming, like a cold drink and a warm beach.
Aegina was a relaxing treat and transition into international traveling. The people and atmosphere made it a mandatory experience. The atmosphere and people are something you would not want to surpass if traveling to Greece. Whether you are looking for a full traditional Greek meal, some fresh pistachios, or a quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, it is the place to see. It was a great jump start to an expedition of Greece and its culture.

Quote: Aegina is a small island an hour ferry ride away from Athens. The island offers calming beaches, historical ruins, and a great nightlife. There are many adventures to be had in a new place, those that can be planned (like viewing the various temples and ruins on the island), and those that are spur of the moment. I chose to partake in both types because the mixtures of the two combine to make a more personalized experience.
The sea is a foamy blue green that is parted by boats and ferries crossing from one island to the next. At top speed they create giant ripples and waves that become the only part of the sea that is not calm. Though there is much beauty to be found in the water, the landscape, architecture, wind, and boats all contribute to the feeling of calmness and serenity. The hint of sea salt in the whipping wind on this journey makes me yearn for living on a small island. What is the atmosphere like in the middle of December? Does winter change the life on the sea, the ferries, or the golden beach? All of these questions can’t be answered on this 72 degree weathered day with the feeling of wind in my hair and the smell of fish, salt, and grass surrounding me.
The most unfortunate aspect of the island is the large number of homeless cats that continue to roam the streets. My uneasiness with the cats, due to a bad experience, spilt over into my experience at restaurants and exploring the streets of Aegina. However, the ruins, chapels, and monasteries were cat-free zones that became a sanctuary and allowed me to enjoy those spots even more.
Scheduled trips to the archaeological exhibit, the temple of Aphaya, and the camera obscura allowed for educational exploration and learning the historical importance of the island. In addition to expanding historical knowledge, viewing all of these locations gives you a complete tour of the island. From the sandy beaches to the grassy hilltops, each site gives a new view of the coasts. From the first settlement of Aegina’s ancient peoples, the harbor and beach are so close that you can smell the salt in the sea. But from the temple of Aphaya there are more hilltops than beaches and coastal views.
The archaeological exhibit held the first settlement of Aegina. The view from the top of this ancient stone is more than just beautiful, it is enchanting. It is easy to understand why this place was picked to hold the first settlement of Aegina; there is power held here. Looking down on the ocean I can see sailboats; at first glance they look like a family of geese, so small and yet gracefully bobbing up and down in the turquoise sea. I can imagine how the original Aeginians would stand up on this mountaintop and look down at the sea, knowing they could see attackers and they would be safe.
Starting at the oldest settlement on the island gave me a secure foundation for what the beginning of life on the island was like. I built on that idea by viewing the Temple of Aphaya shortly after. Up near the temple in the shade the air is much clearer; there is a hint of pinecones and less salt from the sea in the breeze. People carry on low-voiced conversations as they walk around the temple in a sort of silent reverence. The area of the temple is closer to the countryside than it is to the sea, which may be why this spot was picked for the purpose of a temple. The enclosure of nature seems more religious. Almost like a religion itself is the bending of the trees when the wind blows, the singing of the birds to one another, and the chirping of the insects. All live in harmony and contribute to each other’s survival in one way or another.
These educational and historical experiences conveyed that Greece was once the leader for architecture, science, and philosophy. However, I learned more about Greek culture from the social encounters with shopkeepers and people watching in various cafes.
The breakfast bustle in Aegina is less stressful than that of Dallas or Springfield, Missouri. After grabbing a crème-filled croissant and an iced coffee, I settled into a comfy chair and watched the people. The experience was different; the worker who gave me my meal was happy about being at work at 7:45 am, as opposed to the majority of workers I have seen in various places that hate every customer and every task that they are asked to do at such an early time. The people rushing to work on their scooters tended to allow the pedestrians a very wide margin of space, contrary to other times of the day. It seemed that the drivers, the scooter riders, and the pedestrians all knew that they would have to work in harmony in order to get to their destination the quickest way possible. It was a puzzle in which the pieces were itching to become magnets and spring together to make the picture clearer. People called out cheerful greetings and exchanged happy glances on their way; everything seemed more pleasant than the resentful early morning grumpiness that I was used to.
Each morning is the same routine, friends stop in to say hi to each other a bakeries as they make their way to do their morning duties. They happily greeted one another, grabbed a pastry and continued on their way, smiling in the sunlight and whistling in the breeze. Nobody rushed one another at the counter to get their pastry; no one cut each other off in the middle of the street or even yelled obscenities to each other in Greek. The morning seemed to be the most calm and peaceful part of the day.
Watching the people in the small town taught me a lot about the culture; talking to one of them and forming a personal relationship taught me even more. One cannot learn a concept fully until immersed in it or, in many cases, make a personal connection to the idea.
International Corner is a quaint bar located two doors down from our student housing. The establishment is surrounded by light green shutters and doors that are open between the hours of 8 pm to 3 am. The inside holds dark cherry wood tables and chairs. The counter extends across the front of the room and there is a small second story. Behind the counter stands a white-haired tan man, with a welcoming smile and cheery outlook. He is the owner of the bar.
Wandering in there was a mixture of coincidence in timing and curiosity probably more curiosity than coincidence because I wanted badly to live the European life and have a drink before I turned 21 and it was a matter of time before I found myself perched on a bar stool in any location. As I strutted to the barstool in the middle of the bar, I felt like a new, more sophisticated version of myself. The bartender asked my fellow group members and me what we would like, and I found myself confidently ordering a drink. Along with the order the owner of the establishment asked what we were doing in Aegina. When we replied that we were students he asked for further details. The conversation evolved into him talking about the economy and why business and employment were down. I was not expecting a deep conversation to go along with an alcoholic beverage, at least not one in which I was required to competently reply and carry on a train of thought. But I learned from the experience that a person shouldn’t limit where and who they can learn from, everyone has a story to tell. I will always remember my first bar experience, though it may be a little hazy in places. Those are often the best stories to tell. No one ever started a good story with "One time I was drinking a glass of milk..."
The island of Aegina would not be so calm and serene without the way of life. The people are what make the culture, and the culture is rich with history. The history of proud and noble people that built their city on an airy hilltop that is surrounded by a turquoise sea.

Quote: After already being on a plane for four hours and spending the other parts of the day in airports, the last thing I wanted to do was get on a plane for another ten hours in order to arrive in Aegina, Greece. I was even less ecstatic when I found out I would be sharing the seat next to me with a stranger rather than one of my friends. After boarding the plane and another thirty minutes had passed, my excitement began to rise at the prospect of not having another neighbor sit next to me. I began to make myself comfortable by getting out my most prized position, my kindle, and trying to fit my purse into the obnoxiously small webbed basket on the wall. After I was done, I looked up to find myself staring into the eyes of a small, well-dressed elderly woman with a tan face and a sleeked back bun. "Is this 4A?" she asked in a slight accent as my stomach sank along with my expectations of being able to stretch out and get a good night’s rest.
As we were waiting for the flight to take off, we sat down and began to talk. I learned that while she was from New York, she lived in Greece for fifteen years and every year she comes back to Greece for three weeks. This wise woman intrigued me and I began to ask her questions about the island. She gave me advice on the places to see, the things to look for and most importantly how I should look at the country of Greece. I remember her saying, "Look at the temples as if you are seeing them from the time period in which they were built. Now, they are just ruins with maybe half of it still standing. But, look at the size of the columns; look at the height and the way that it was made. Think of these things and you will be much more impressed."
Her advice really sunk in when I went to go see the Temple of Apollo, which is located on the beautiful fishing village of Aegina. While the Temple now only has one remaining column standing, its exquisiteness cannot be overlooked. It is located on top of a hill and has a great view of the town and the sea. The column that can be seen from numerous locations in Aegina is tall and wide with the top part of the column broken off into sharp pointy spikes. As I look at the decrepit and lonely column the woman’s voice from the plane comes back to me. I begin to imagine how the temple would look and the people who came there when it was first built in the 6th century B.C. I imagine the column becoming whole again and the rest of the temple reappearing. I contemplate the ingenuity it would take for the people to be able to form this temple without the use of cranes or tools. How would they form such a large temple? How would they be able to transport the rock? I think about the Greeks who came to worship at the temple hundreds of years ago. I become curious about who they were, what they did and what their town was like back then. This is the nature of the Aegina Island, the rich history surrounding everything on this island makes for a very thought provoking town. Because the island has been around since the 5th century B.C., history is something that this island doesn’t lack.
The historical landmarks Aegina has to offer seem endless, with the camera obscura, the Temple of Aphaia and the abandoned medieval village of Paleachora. These places are all important in history in different ways. The camera obscura has had a major impact on art, photography and philosophy. The camera obscura is a dark room that is able to reverse light rays to project a picture of the outside of the obscura: this obscura is the only one of its kind to project a 360° image onto hanging sheets. Now the camera obscura can be visited for free by anyone interested in taking the short bus ride to Perdika. Although the exterior of the obscura leaves something to be desired (it is just a small rusted building covered with graffiti on a secluded hill) the inside of the building will be able to perplex everyone. The beautiful moving pictures of the panoramic view of the ocean, the hills and the small village of Perdika will soon have you mesmerized.
The Temple of Aphaia is another tribute to a Greek goddess, showing the importance of mythology to the early Greek societies. Aphaia was a woman who was being pursued by a God, but she didn’t share his feelings. So she fled from Athens to Aegina. Instead of the god kidnapping her or killing her he decided to make her a goddess. The Temple sits atop a large hill, one that takes a winding bus ride and a sturdy grip on the railing up a steep hill to get to. Looking out from the temple, the different towns of Aegina can be observed growing up the rolling hills of Greece like vines on a building. The temple is still beautiful even after all these years of decay, and it remains relatively intact. In fact, it is the most complete temple in Greece. Many of the columns still remain, for the most part, whole with chunks of the roof still attached to the top of them. There are what appear to be two pairs of steep stairs still visible as well on the inside of the temple. These features combined with the view from the hilltop and the white washed rock of the temple create a very dignified and majestic air that surrounds the temple.
Lastly, the village of Paleachora was built up a hillside in order for the Greeks to be able to hide from pirates who were invading their village in 1537. While this village used to possess homes as well as many churches, only three dozen churches are still standing to this day. They are scattered along the hillside that overlooks the monastery. When the monastery is in session, the monks chanting can be heard echoing through the hillside, adding to the holiness of the experience of viewing the churches. Climbing to the very top of the hill and looking out over the entire island is an experience that I will never forget. From this view the towns look smaller than ants and the blue of the sea mixes with the sky, leaving you with the feeling that the sky and the sea were endless.
Aegina is still connected to its history and remains a simple fishing village that relies heavily on the products produced by the sea. In the mornings, one can walk down along the harbor and see the old fisherman docking their brightly colored boats and pulling huge squids and octopus from their nets. Later for lunch, you will see this fresh supply of seafood on any menu throughout the town. The fresh seafood can also be bought at the market, along with the fresh fruit and vegetables that are grown on the island or imported from other islands. There is something about the sight of an elderly woman carrying a newly bought lobster in a woven wicker shopping basket that makes you feel like you are getting the authentic Greek experience.
The people of Aegina all possess different dynamics and personalities. While some of the shopkeepers and storeowners are very friendly and welcoming, others don’t possess these qualities. This creates several different social relations on the island; however the combination of them all makes you feel as though you are at home on the island. I’ve observed that many of the people of Aegina stare at American tourists, whether it is out of curiosity or malice, I do not know. One thing can always be counted on, though the restaurant owners are very enthusiastic to have your business. They greet you like an old friend and welcome you into their establishment as you walk by. You will also notice the same residents multiple times during your visit, even in different parts of the island. This adds to your feeling of belonging and makes you feel like you are one of the locals.
Aegina is a quaint and beautiful town, full of unforgettable sights and unforgettable people. This island is the perfect place to go to get away from the busyness of the city. Here people are content to sit and drink coffee for an hour each day while people watching and a short siesta is necessary. Although, this town might seem simple to some, its historical importance is everywhere, you might just need to venture to the hills to find it. Remember the advice that the mystery woman on the plane gave, your experience in Aegina will be dramatically enhanced.

Quote: In the hustle and bustle of traveling to a new place, it is easy to lose track of time and to overlook the small details that can truly connect you to a place. I was visiting the island of Aegina, located just south of Athens, Greece, and had been rushing to see anything and everything that I could before having to leave the quaint island where time seemed to stand still. I had been running at full speed for the past three days visiting the beautiful sites Aegina had to offer me. It was when I found myself sitting in the presence of the Temple of Aphaía, with a bird-eyes view of the entire island, that I had time to reflect on all the experiences I had thus far and I realized how lucky I was to be in such a beautiful country.
The columns of the Temple of Aphaía send me into a flashback of my encounters of Kolona and the Temple of Apollo. The Temple of Apollo was located just to the west of Aegina town. This temple was surrounded by a ruin of villages, called Kolona, that had once been home to eleven different civilizations. What is left of the ruins has held up surprisingly well, considering their age. The many rooms are lined by stones roughly the size of my head that range from a deep brick red, charcoal grey, to a pale tan color. The lone pillar stood tall and proud against the background of the sea.
There are so many different shades of blue in the Mediterranean it is hard to see them all at first glance. The shallow waters are a light blue, almost green color. As it gets deeper, there are some pockets of deep, rich, royal blue that reminds me of a dark washed pair of jeans. Straight off the coast is a pack of small sailboats. There are probably fifteen or so of them, and from here they look to be playing tag. They are weaving in and out of each other while racing across the sea. They are already small boats and their size is dwarfed more by the ferry anchored in port just off to their left. They look like toy boats floating in a pond because of their size. Looming behind the boats are a series of mountainous islands. They don’t seem to have many inhabitants. The only sign of life is a piece of metal that is glistening in the sun that may be a roof to a building. The numerous islands across the sea all merge together to look like one looming, lonely mountain range off in the distance. The mountain range spans the skyline and reminds me of a range I would see in Colorado or Wyoming. Back to my left is the small quaint town of Aegina full of the hustle that comes with the middle of the day.
While the town may be busy with people speeding by on scooters, shouting greetings to their friends, and the street venders attempting to make a living, there are some people on the island that like to sit by and take things slow. I found a small café tucked into a corner of the main street, where I spent several hours observing my surroundings. My favorite part of sitting in this small café though, is feeling an understanding of why these Greek men also find this a regular part of their daily schedule. Day by day they order something to drink, smoke a cigarette, and watch as the happenings of the island go by. They may choose to get into deep conversations with the other people that occupy the café, or just to sit there and soak in life as it happens. Sitting in this small café tucked into the corner of town allows me to find a deeper connection and understanding to the people of Aegina.
My mind wanders back to the present as I begin to observe my surroundings at the Temple of Aphaía. Perched on a rock away from the chatty tourist groups and my fellow classmates, I soaked in the view. The surrounding hills were covered with pines and honeysuckle leaving the air thick with a sweet smell of summer, and sparking my memories of the crisp air of Colorado. The brisk wind blows through a valley, and with it comes the smell of the sea. It was a relief to get away from the air in the town of Aegina that hung thick with exhaust fumes from scooters and boats. If it wasn’t for other people wandering through the ruins, it would be silent with only the sound of the wind, birds, and occasional motor vehicle to comfort me. Despite the wind, I can still feel the warmth of the sun wrapping around me like a blanket.
Directly behind me stands the Temple of Aphaía, with its grand columns making me feel small and inferior when placed in their presence. Their size dwarfs me, and their strength and endurance over time is something I will never have, but can only admire. Even with the crumbling walls and leaning pillars, the temple stood tall and majestic on the hilltop. The columns that lined the outside of the temple had been slowly weathered away by the wind, hinting at the age of the temple. Just inside the outer row of columns was the remains of a wall that looked to have created an inner room in the temple. A portion of the wall resembles a staircase, which made me think of stairs leading to heaven that gave the Greeks a greater connection with the gods and goddesses they worshiped. The perfectly straight parallel lines chiseled into the stone throughout the structure add detail unmatched by any structure I have seen. The undersides of the stones have notches and grooves used to provide stability in the stacked stone, but make me think of the temple as a giant Lego masterpiece. Its intricate detail and meticulously placed stones demanded my attention and drew me in from the moment I was in its presence. I could sense the history that went hand in hand with the temple.
The Temple of Aphaía was built in honor of the Greek goddess Aphaía. Her story is one that evokes admiration for her courage, determination, and strength. The story is that Aphaía was being pursued by King Minos of Crete, whom she escaped by riding in the net of a fishing boat which carried her across the sea. When she was discovered by a fisherman, she was forced to fling herself into the water near the island of Aegina. She found herself wandering the forest of the island where she was protected by her friend, the goddess Aretmis. The name Aphaía, was given to the girl because it meant the Invisible One, which suited her ability to escape from her pursers. I heard this story while wandering the perimeter of the temple, and found myself imagining the goddess wandering through the thick forest attempting to find a peace she could not have when near the king. The strength of the goddess was such an inspiration to the Greeks that they chose to build this temple in her honor. It was easy for me to imagine the ancient people climbing though these rolling hills to reach this temple so they could pray to their gods. With the temple precariously placed on one of the tallest hills on the island they would have felt closer than ever to those they so highly worshiped. They also would have had a bird-eyes view of the island, from its waters swirling with a hundred shades of blue to the rolling hills thickly packed with palm trees and evergreens.
I can sense the presence of the ancient Greeks, I imagine them walking through the columns. The wind starts to start to sound like their voices whispering throughout the ruins, telling stories and secrets we will never know. This place has a mystery that leaves me full of curiosity and questions. How did such a simple culture manage to build such majestic temples with few tools? What was life like for these people?
While spending a week on the quiet, secluded island of Aegina, I found myself fully immersed in the culture. I was able to sit at the base of a column of a temple that dates back to the ancient Greeks and observe the beautiful scenery around me. I spent time in the shoes of the elderly Greek men of the island by spending many mornings sitting quietly in cafés. I traveled to the most complete temple on the island and felt the presence of the ancient Greeks that had found that place their sacred spot to worship their many gods and goddesses. My trip to Aegina transformed me from a tourist into a traveler. I felt a connection to the island, and the beautiful people that occupy it.