Greece is the Word

AHHH!!!!

I am going to Greece!!!

This is one of my very favorite photos of my sweet baby cousin. She gives the best face.

 

 

 

Ya’ll I’m not sure I’ve ever been more excited or more scared for something in my life. I’ve been planning this trip for about 9 months and it has seemed so far away for so long and now all of a sudden it is here.

I leave one week from today. 1 more week and I will be half way around the world (OK, 6,332 miles according to Google).

Ever since I was little, I’ve had a fascination with Greece and specifically the Greek Islands. This place in the world seems to fulfill every fantasy I have about romance, adventure, knowledge, belief, and so much history; both told and forgotten.
I love Greek history and Mythology, I could live on olives and cheese and never complain, and I’m certain blue is my best color. Deep in my heart I’ve always known this is where I need to be.

So when Lauren Leduc of Karma Tribe Yoga asked where we should do our next yoga retreat, you better believe I shouted GREECE so loud she heard me in Kansas City.

There are so many things I want to see and do, and I know I won’t be able to get to them all (like Olympia, Nafpllio, and Epidovros). But that is OK. There is always next time.
Like Rick Steves says “Assume you will return”

See.

 

 

 

Already on my itinerary I’ve got

ATHENS
*Makrigianni and South Planka
*The Acropolis and Acropolis Museum and Acropolis Loop
*Ancient Angora
*The National Archaeological Museum
*Central Market
*Mars Hill
*Theatre of Dionysus
*Temple of Olympian Zeus
*Library of Hadrian
*Syntagma and Parliament
*The National Garden
*The Benaki Museum of Greek History and Culture
and
*Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon

Delphi
*The Sanctuary of Apollo
*The Sanctuary of Athena
*The Archaeological Museum

Amargos Island
*Greek Island Yoga Retreat with Lauren Leduc
*We are staying at the Aegialis Hotel & Spa
*Yoga!
*We have so many fun things scheduled during our retreat including Scuba, Snorkeling, Cooking Classes, a Tour of the Island, Group Hikes, Massages, and maybe even some nude beaches!

I am not nude in this photo, just got those strategically placed braids. #madeyoulook

 

 

 

Goodness! Listing it all out like that just got me so excited all over again!

 

 

 

But I have to admit there is a tiny little voice inside of me that worries if I’ve built this all up too much. That perhaps I’ve made it too big and too important in my mind and there is no way anything could live up to my expectations.

 

 

 

In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali says that you must do your yoga practice (whatever that might be) with consistence, diligence, patience, and, most importantly, without attachment to results. By not worrying about what will come from your efforts, you’ll set your mind free.

Abhyasa : effort, willpower, practice

Vairagya : letting go, acceptance, detachment

 

I trust Patanjali enough to know that he included epic-bucket list-life long dream-terrifying-slightly solo-around the world adventures as part of your yoga practice, so does that mean I need to be reigning in my imagination a little more? Should I be saving a little room in my heart for the possibility that this ancient world isn’t all it’s cracked up to be?

 

The thing is, I also know that no matter how the trip and the experience turns out, it is going to be right and good.
Honestly, I’m  pretty damn proud of myself for going at all. For jumping on a 10 hour flight with only my own thoughts to entertain me and for spending my first 4 days in Athens alone before the people I know and love arrive. (Yes Mom, I’ll be careful).

 

So even if this trip is terrible (it wont be), it will still be important. There is so much the Aegean has to teach me. I can feel it in my bones and I feel so ready to learn.

 

Besides, Patanjali also said your practice has to be filled with enthusiasm.
That’t what I’m sticking with for now.