I've recently returned from my Greece Discovery trip. It was an amazing trip, and much more than I expected. The week included 3 hiking days through walking paths over 400 years old, (each with a different flair but with breathtaking views over sea or mountains); plus one cultural discovery day, featuring a visit to an organic farm to chat with a farmer/restaurateur; a pottery shop where we learned about 3rd generation pottery business; and a medieval fortress where people still live in renovated 300 year old homes with 1000 year old columns on the sidewalks. Each experience had lessons to learn, and our teachers were the local villagers, dogs, donkeys, cats, goats, birds and even lizards. Everywhere we found messages for ourselves, and we learned that once we set an intention, the Universe aligns to give us our answers.
Walking on paths used for centuries gives a new outlook. We can learn from following the trails, visualizing where people went and what they did, and from observing our surroundings and thinking of how people lived during earlier times. Though the paths are renovated and organized in a modern scheme with downloadable apps, and most people travel with cars and motorbikes; some of the locals still use the trails for foot passage (or by donkey) to their farms or some of the 365 chapels and churches on the island. We met hikers from the UK, Germany and France along the way, sharing the joy of discovery.
We were guided by the warmth of the sun, the sound of the wind, rain and ocean, and the feel of the earth beneath our feet to discover more of our inner self and purpose. Watching the sun drop into the sea from a 600 meter mountaintop was a perk.
Walking on paths used for centuries gives a new outlook. We can learn from following the trails, visualizing where people went and what they did, and from observing our surroundings and thinking of how people lived during earlier times. Though the paths are renovated and organized in a modern scheme with downloadable apps, and most people travel with cars and motorbikes; some of the locals still use the trails for foot passage (or by donkey) to their farms or some of the 365 chapels and churches on the island. We met hikers from the UK, Germany and France along the way, sharing the joy of discovery.
We were guided by the warmth of the sun, the sound of the wind, rain and ocean, and the feel of the earth beneath our feet to discover more of our inner self and purpose. Watching the sun drop into the sea from a 600 meter mountaintop was a perk.
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We visited George at his farm and heard about his family history, ‘water-free’ gardening, Sifnos history and the change of culture in the early 80’s with tourism; all while sampling goat cheese his father still makes and the wonderful organic wine; then we drove to the restaurant on the beach where his son serves the tourists the fantastic local products with a view.
Giannis greeted us at his pottery workshop with the familiar form of hello – Yiassu - and offered us a cappuccino freddo and chatted with us about his family history and the island’s history of pottery making while he busily worked away on an order for a hotel in Athens. We came to learn the hospitality of offering guests something when they visit, as we were distinguished from average customers.
A highlight was the visit to the ancient acropolis, dating as early as 1300 BC., with evidence of human activity in the area dating 4000 BC – even hiking past olive terraces dating to that time period. We used our intuition and imagination to tune into what might have occurred in the area before reading the historical data. It was quite an experience, opening up connections to people passing by thousands of years earlier.
Not to miss the amazing churches and chapels, some just big enough to seat 2 or 3, with incredible energy from the prayer power. Just after Easter, some of them were adorned with lovely arrangements of lilies, and garden fruits.
Live your discovery --
Terri
Look for more blog posts as I recount stories of all of our adventures in Greece at:
http://www.terrihofstetter.com/blog
To find out about my 2018 Greece Discovery trip, sign up for my Greece Discovery newsletter:
Giannis greeted us at his pottery workshop with the familiar form of hello – Yiassu - and offered us a cappuccino freddo and chatted with us about his family history and the island’s history of pottery making while he busily worked away on an order for a hotel in Athens. We came to learn the hospitality of offering guests something when they visit, as we were distinguished from average customers.
A highlight was the visit to the ancient acropolis, dating as early as 1300 BC., with evidence of human activity in the area dating 4000 BC – even hiking past olive terraces dating to that time period. We used our intuition and imagination to tune into what might have occurred in the area before reading the historical data. It was quite an experience, opening up connections to people passing by thousands of years earlier.
Not to miss the amazing churches and chapels, some just big enough to seat 2 or 3, with incredible energy from the prayer power. Just after Easter, some of them were adorned with lovely arrangements of lilies, and garden fruits.
Live your discovery --
Terri
Look for more blog posts as I recount stories of all of our adventures in Greece at:
http://www.terrihofstetter.com/blog
To find out about my 2018 Greece Discovery trip, sign up for my Greece Discovery newsletter:
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