Santorini steals hearts.

Life is just always epic here it seems. 

I'm finally get back into the swing of things this week after one of the best weekends (busiest & most exhausting as well) of my life.  Santorini, Greece: most beautiful place I've ever been, hands down.  On Friday morning, we managed to all meet at 5:30am to begin our trek to the metro and then onto an 8 hour ferry ride.  This trip was also different in that we didn't have our directors with us.  It was all 30 of us, in charge, making our way & planning, this awesome weekend.  We started off with a bang on the metro nearing 6 in the morning.  Unfortunately, two people on our trip got pick pocketed.  An iPhone and camera were taken.  I've heard it happens all the time in Europe, but it's quite different when it happens to yourself or people you know.  They both handled it extremely well, but we were all much more aware after that.

Our ferry ride was quite uneventful, being that I slept for at least half of it. It was quite luxurious though, I must say.  But by the time we arrived, I was beyond excited to get our weekend started.  The whole weekend was filled with so many amazing things, I can hardly even express how great it was.  When we finally made our way to Fira (the town we'd be staying in), we managed to find our hotel and get all settled in.  We had an awesome outdoor pool and each room had a beautiful view.  That night, 7 of us girls went to Oia, the most picturesque area of Santorini, to watch the sunset and have dinner.  I couldn't believe the sunset.  It was gorgeous, but also the landscape of Santorini is so unique and gorgeous.  The buildings are all embedded on the sides of the mountains and painted in white with bright windows, doors, and accents.  We stood their for quite awhile just taking everything in.  After that, we found a place to eat, that by the way, looked out over the sea.  Every time I'd glance out, I couldn't believe where I was. So blessed is all I can really say.  I enjoyed a delicious plate of spaghetti and some incredible conversation with great girls.  Successful night #1 I'd say.

On Saturday, oh gosh, what a perfect day.  We started out by taking a sailboat tour to a volcano and hot springs.  The sailboat was really awesome and just being able to be on the water made it all the better.  The volcano.. not quite what I was expecting, but still very cool nonetheless.  It is still considered an active one and is expected to erupt again in the next 5-10 years.  We saw smoke rising and could smell it as well.  I, though, really enjoyed the hot springs.  When we arrived, we all got to jump off the boat and go for a swim.  As the water got muddier, it got warmer.  It was never hot, but it was fun to partake on a little mud bath! After getting back on the boat and making our way back to the port, we began our way back up the mountain.  How you may ask?  Oh just by donkey.  Mmk so this was hilarious.  I wouldn't say it was particularly enjoyable, just down right funny.  My donkey would leisurely stroll, and then all of a sudden really speed it up, and then decide to take a little poo all over the path.  Classy, yes.  It is quite the bumpy ride as well.  Many of us had bruises of some sort, might just so happened to be on my butt.  Really great spot for a bruise!  Overall- awesome experience.

How beautiful is this?

This is where it gets good folks.  That night, my friend Laura and I decided that we were going to go parasailing.  Before I left for Europe, I knew this was something I just had to do.  So in the late afternoon, her and I along with two others, took off for the beach in search of some parasailing action.  Another awesome form of transportation: ATV's.  Oh goodness, definitely one of my favorite experiences of the weekend.  There is truly nothing like cruising around on an island, in the middle of Greece, with the wind rushing against your face.  Complete freedom.  Plus the views; breathtaking.

When we reached the beach, we found the parasailing and thus the journey began.  Kate and Chris, our other two adventurers, climbed in the boat with us and we made our way out into the open sea.  With mountains all around us and the most beautiful water below us,  we soon escalated high into the sky.  I really wish I could truly explain to you how incredible this was.  I was overwhelmed with thanks and praise to God's goodness.  I am so blessed.  These beautiful places: all God's creation.  He lives and breathes in all of this and I can't really thank Him enough.  We flew high in the air for nearly twenty minutes just laughing at how incredibly awesome it was.  The boat driver would slow down so Laura and I would lower down, our butts would touch the water, and then he'd speed up and we'd quickly fly high back into the air.  I could of stayed up their all day.  It was probably the coolest thing I've ever done thus far.

After spending some time on the beach, we cruised back on our ATV's as the sun went down around us.  We stopped to watch the sun go down and then made our way to Oia for some dinner and exploring.  We made our way to Oia on our ATV's as well and this drive is so great.  The road bends along the side of the mountains, while the sea is directly below us.  The sky was beginning to darken and I just couldn't get enough of this experience.  So many times I was overwhelmed with thanks.  In Oia, us four enjoyed a pizza dinner.  Sooo delicious!

The beautiful lagoon.

Early Sunday morning we made our way back to Oia for some cliff jumping!  Another one of my favorite things.  The lagoon we went to (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants did filming in this very spot) was the most beautiful place I've ever been. Hands down.  The water- exceptional.  We could see nearly 30 feet below because it was so clear.  Their were rocks everywhere and the water was all different shades: deep turquoise, teal, aqua, and deep blue.  We spent a long time just swimming, trying to take it all in.  Oh and we jumped off a 20ft cliff as well :) That wasn't too shabby, I suppose.

This activity brought us to the end of our incredible weekend.  After a long ferry ride back and very late night, we are back in the swing of classes, homework, and class trips.  I can hardly believe this amazing weekend occurred and I am again so thankful that I had the opportunity to go.  Life in Athens is continuing on, quite too fast I must say. We only have a month left here and then it's off to Rome! I truly do love Greece.  So much is happening, we're all getting closer, and I'm growing everyday.  Because this is getting quite long, I will write again soon with updates on daily life in Athens.  Wonderful things happen during that time too :)

Missing all of you from home & my prayers are with you.
God bless!