meeting daniel
My first ever trip to Europe, I’ve always wanted to see Greece with its rich culture and history. I’ve been in contact with Daniel, my Couchsurfing host in Athens.
When I arrived at the airport around late night. I took a bus and went to the place he told me to go which was in Syntagma Square. He came to pick me up topless and we went inside his car where there were two other people.
Alex and Arianne. Cousins from Ecuador.
They were both pretty quiet and Daniel and I were just talking. I asked him why he was topless and he suddenly told me that they were all nudists and that his home had a nudist policy and that I also had to be naked. I was quite shocked but considering my options and how tired I was, and for the new experience I kinda just went with it.
At the end, he said he was joking. I went down his car but the door had trouble closing, Daniel started to get flustered saying that I might have broken it, he was joking again.
What a funny dude.
We arrived at his flat, it was a big place and enough beds for everyone. The other bed was hard and he offered to sleep wherever’s vacant. I opted for the couch.
They had no air conditioning and it was summer night. I slept well.
ancient athens
I woke up still a bit sleepy the next morning but ready and excited to go see what was in store. I took the metro and my first stop was the Ancient Agora of Athens, they had incredible ruins there, and I slowly made my way up to the Acropolis to see all of Greece’s famous sights.
There was this huge rock as well that offered panoramic views of Athens, it was amazing.
I went down and ate some souvlaki, a lady tending the shop wanted to take a picture of my bag’s owl design which was a first.
I went to the Acropolis Museum to get to know more about Greek Mythology and after went around town, the Royal Botanical Gardens, Zappeion, and took the self-guided stadium with a free audio tour. I went back to Daniel’s place and waited for them to arrive, Arianne smoked me up right after.
We went out to get some dinner, I had trouble tasting the food but ate nonetheless. Afterwards, we went to Daniel’s dealer to pick up some stuff but I was too out of it and just wanted to go home and rest at that point.
the roadtrip
The next day, we woke up early for a road trip to Delphi and Meteora. It was a long and relaxing car ride, Arianne smoked me up again from the stuff we got from the dealer last night. This time was much better, we went to Meteora first and saw the cliff-perched monasteries, what a sight to behold.
Daniel and I were playing this game to see if I can tell if someone’s Japanese, Korean or Chinese and it was quite easy for me though picking apart European people was nigh impossible. We picked up a hitch hiker along the way, Lisa. We went up to the top of this huge boulder that gave us a bird’s eye view of the whole area. Daniel knew the place really well, and took us to so many of the monasteries. It was such an amazing experience.
We went to Delphi next, seeing its ruins and the museum. The sunset hitting the mountain and fields was just amazing, there were lots of beautiful ruins and Arianne also helped me take some photos as I didn’t know how to pose at all. Though Arianne was getting a bit annoyed from being rushed constantly by Daniel.
Daniel also let me listen to his rapping…I guess it was nice.
the reggaeton club
We arrived home tired but they were planning to go party still and take some Sally. I had no idea what that was but I was down with it. I took it and in the car, started to come up. The feeling was of euphoria and bliss was out of this world, there was so much love, dancing, colors and music sounded amazing. It was easily the best night of my life, I met other people there, Vanessa from Italy and two girls from France, Marthe and Chloe whom I found out were also heading to Santorini like me, so we were hyped for that.
I also met a runaway yakuza from Japan as well as a guy from Mozambique. A doctor from Syria whom I danced a lot with. I remember one of the things that really touched me was when Daniel told me I will always have a home in Athens.
We partied until 5am until it was time to say goodbye. Then comes the next challenge for me, as the comedown starts to hit and I started to feel like shit, I made my way to the airport, pass security and fell asleep literally while standing up while waiting to board the plane.
I heard someone at the side commented: “Traveling gets really tiring, huh.” “Gee, lady. You have no idea.” I thought to myself.
comedown in santorini
On the airplane, the comedown started to get worse and worse, I was dehydrated and weak, I thought I was dying and that if I told them or had a check up I’d end up in prison.
A couple sat next to me, I told the Irish guy, I need some help and he asked me what’s up, and he somehow asked if it was drug related like he already knew, I was upfront with him and told him and thankfully he was experienced with it and just told me to relax and rest.
The flight attendant gave me some sugar water too. I closed my eyes and when I opened we already arrived.
I was quite dazed and the realization set in that I had no internet with the worst hangover and comedown and had to somehow find my way to my host’s address. It was overwhelming and my emotions were all over the place, I was getting brain zaps and was crashing hard.
The girl took my hand and reassured me while the guy took their things, they called my host and also gave me their number just in case. I also exchanged some money, the guy behind the counter was extremely kind.
The couple helped me buy my bus ticket and off I went.
The bus driver kindly let me know that this was my stop and I changed to another bus, and went down in Emporio.
I was lost.
I tried to ask another couple by the cafe for some directions but they couldn’t speak English and had no internet. I also didn’t have the address just some basic landmarks.
I made my way up the hill, a maze of white houses.
Went to a bathroom near the church but I couldn’t make it and puked on the gardens, oh Lord, I’m so sorry.
Made my way up and up until I saw a familiar landmark, the souvenir shop Stavros mentioned, Stavrosi being my host in Santorini.
I stumbled my way unsure if it was the right place or not but luckily there was another Couchsurfer that was just leaving. If I hadn’t been there in that moment, I would have missed her and gotten lost the whole day and probably lose my sanity in the process. She helped me get settled in and gave me the wifi password. I pretty much just crashed on the sofa.
Sometime soon, Stavros arrived and I was feeling a bit better. He gave me a joint as a welcome gift.
When I had some energy, I went out and explored a bit, there were donkeys on the rooftop and the neighborhood was really beautiful and peaceful.
At night, I ate some leftover food from the fridge and some oranges. I threw some away to give to the cat outside. I slept again right after, woken up by Stavros entering the house in the middle of the night.
fira
I woke up still not feeling 100%, I went to Marthe and Chloe’s hostel to explore Santorini together. I walked there to save money and cuz I had the time though I did try to hitchhike. We chilled for a bit and they wanted to get a ride, but didn’t work out.
We took a bus to Fira, and explored the city, it was awesome, we looked for the blue domed churches, saw some souvenirs such as the Evil Eyes, the views and the city were fantastic all around. We had some lunch and I went with them to see Akrotiri, an ancient ruin, afterwards we went to Red Beach.
I was already starting to feel depressed due to the aftereffects and my thoughts wandered off to the time spent with Daniel, Arianne, and Alex. Such fun times.
My next destination was supposed to be Mykonos, I already had my tickets and hostel booked but I knew it wouldn’t be fun alone after spending so much time with my friends back in Athens. I decided right there and then, I called Daniel and asked what their plan was and told them I’d join them.
He was excited and told me to keep it a surprise. I excused myself from my French friends and headed back to my place to book ferry tickets which unfortunately I couldn’t make it in time and had to settle for a ticket the next day.
I also got to know Stavros’s flatmate throughout my stay, we had a lot of funny conversations about Japan and Greece. He taught me the word “Malakkah” which was pretty much sounds like what it means.
ierapetra, crete
I woke up and said good bye to Stavros’s flatmate. Stavros drove me to Fira and I spent some time there just finally appreciating Santorini, had some lunch and went to the port to take my ferry to Crete.
He gave me the nickname of “Lazarus,” having resurrected fully in Santorini after coming here a zombie.
I arrived there late afternoon and I had to take an almost 3 hour bus ride to the edge of the island to where Daniel and the gang were. While waiting for my bus, I smelled a familiar scent, I locked eyes with the source and he offered me a silent invitation with a smile. I would never turn down a joint. He was from Afghanistan, we talked for a bit and off I went to the bus.
I arrived at Ierapetra around night time already, I met with Daniel and while walking saw Arianne and this other girl from the UK, Beana. It was a nice reunion and we planned to surprise Alex next. I snuck up behind him and surprised him, everyone was happy.
I met Daniel’s sister, Iren as well as his cousins Nadia and her brother. We talked while eating pizza while I shared more stuff about Japan and its culture. We played a game similar to Mafia by the beach, the moon was out, the air was amazing.
We walked home and Arianne smoked me up again along with the girl from the UK, inside an abandoned house right near Daniel’s place.
I met his mom as well, a very nice lady.
chrissi island
We woke up early as we were going to Chrissi Island today. Brought some water and some brunch (another round of gyros, yikes). We walked to the boat and Daniel was asking Arianne if she had brought the “paper”.
We arrived to the island, it was a wonderful place, there was a Rastafarian looking guy halfway through the other side of the island. We settled our things and enjoyed the beach for a while.
Arianne then took her tab, just half. I did the same as well as Beana.
After awhile Daniel also took his, we started to trip soon as I got these immense feelings, stronger and different than any of the stuff I’ve tried so far. The birds were flying in slow motion and I was just laughing so hard.
At one point, I asked Daniel if this was it and he just laughed hard, I guess not.
Somewhere along the line, I took the second half of the tab. The trip was wonderful, eating cherry tomatoes and trying cola was so much fun.
Everyone had their own thing going on, I was quite Zen, in lotus position and with Gyan mudras on both hands. They said I meditating for hours.
Time was irrelevant, it was the longest day ever yet somehow I found myself at sunset and then it was night, suddenly we were the only ones left on the island.
It was an amazing night with stars, and I felt really connected with Mother Nature and the Universe. I had lots of introspection.
Daniel approached me while I was chilling on one of the benches, he told me to listen to this song titled Mykonos, which was so ironic because I was supposed to be on that island instead I was on this other island tripping balls.
Hearing music for the first time on acid, it was a life changing experience, it sounded ethereal and just too beautiful, I then proceeded to replay the song an innumerable number of times, Daniel approached me again and was surprised I was listening still to the same song.
The night went on, Ariane smoked us up again, I couldn’t sleep until sunrise.
survived greece
I smoked some more in the morning and it made the trip come back along with some anxiety from sleep deprivation.
Daniel still had his comedown and everyone was tired but I had to catch my bus to the airport.
It was difficult and it was very stressful getting everyone together and to head to the boat.
We made it back anyway to Ierapetra and we made it to Daniel’s place, I had mad anxiety when we had to separate and was super paranoid if Daniel knew the way. I was still zonked as hell.
I took a shower and saw that I had turned super tan from being on the island more than 24 hours. Daniel’s mom gave us some food and the sensations were too much for me, I couldn`t eat the tomato.
I was too paranoid with the time and that I would miss our bus so I hurried off and got my things. We said our half-assed goodbye and I made my way to the bus station with Daniel. He gave me a big long hug, and I got on my bus going to the airport in Crete, with a heavy heart and worried if I could make it.
I arrived at the airport safely. The lights and sounds were overstimulating and I really had to shut myself out from them. I went on the airplane and was extremely thirsty and had a few cups after we landed in Athens, on my way to Cairo.
