It's a small world after all (a re-post from the LUC blog)

We all know the (in)famous song. In fact, it's probably stuck in your head right now.

But alas, 'tis true. It's a small world after all. I mean yes, the 7th Billion person was born a few days ago and yes there are well over 200 countries and yes it is a whole planet we're talking about - but take the following situation.

Clayton (girl I met on Santorini who is studying in Athens): Where are you from?

Me: Lousiville, KY - you?

Clayton: Napierville! You didn't by chance go to Sacred Heart did you?

Me: Um. Yes.

Clayton: My field hockey team played your field hockey team.

Me: Oh, cool.

Clayton and Friends sit on a volcanic rock.

Cool? How about, SERIOUSLY? I'M ON A GREEK ISLAND AND I MEET SOMEONE WHO PLAYED MY HIGH SCHOOL'S FIELD HOCKEY TEAM?!?!?

The connections you make while traveling are just amazing to me. Simply amazing. This is one example, but I can't tell you how many times I hear someone tell a story and then just have to shake my head and say - oh, the tiny world of travel.

Clayton was a pretty amazing girl, as were her friends. I have met so many amazing people while traveling - some I've friended on Facebook, some I plan on seeing again, and some I'll probably never see again - except when we both just happen to be traveling in the same country, in the same city, and happen to sit down at the same restaurant or in front of the same church.

Because in the amazing world of travel stuff like that just happens. All the time.

Stranded! Santorini Edition

If I could choose any place in the world to be stranded in I have to say it would be here:

Oh, wait. I was!!!

You see, there's a huge economic crisis in Greece currently. I chose to spend six days on the island of Santorini (think Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) during Fall Break. While there, the ferries started striking. 

Which meant that I was stranded. So I had to buy a plane ticket to Athens and then Rome because I missed my flight because the ferry I was supposed to take back to Athens was canceled (by the way, I could not change or get a refund for my flight). 

How do I have such a peppy attitude despite all this? It's easy.

Fantastic company.

Wonderful view.

Glorious beaches.

Yeah. Welcome to Santorini.

I took one of these to a Volcano and swam in some hot springs.

The hot springs.

These are the puppies I played with. They live at my hostel.

This is the Red Beach at Akrotiri. Breathtaking right?

Therefore, in conclusion, if you ever have a chance to get stranded on an island...make it Santorini.

Pictures of Santorini

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