Santorini- Beauty is closer than you think.
Hi Players,
I needed a reminder.
A reminder that beauty is closer than I think, and it is always in my reach.
It can be found everywhere at any given moment.
I was reminded that we sometimes waste precious time looking for it when it is always present closer than we think.
Things have been hectic during the last two months since I moved from the US back to Israel,
so when a dear old friend suggested traveling together with our families for the holidays, I said yes immediately.
Since we had only a few days to spend, we decided to look for a short-distance destination.
Although we both are “heavy” frequent travelers, we have never been to Santorini, a Greek Island, just a 90-minute flight from Tel Aviv.
I have no explanation for how I could miss this beautiful place
besides the strange phenomenon that we humans always look for something extraordinary,
while the best and most beautiful things are right here next to us.
I guess from time to time, we need a little reminder
I found a man-made Beauty, simple but amazing.
Santorini was created after an enormous volcanic eruption that destroyed the earliest settlements on a formerly single island and created the current geological caldera.
Its whitewashed houses and blue dome churches that cling to the cliffs are breathtaking.
The beautiful combination of the buildings with nature was both magnificent and exquisite.
I was curious about the choice of the blue and white colors that dominate the entire island's houses, so I approached a local woman and asked.
She told me that the blue represents the sky, and the white represents the earth—heaven and Earth.
No wonder it felt like paradise. It was a mesmerizing beauty and so close, too.
I was fascinated by the bell towers of the local churches, which were different from the bell towers of other churches I saw on my travels.
Every church has at least three bells, and the “Profitis Ilias” Monastery tower, located on the highest point on the island (approx. 570 meters), has 13 bells.
I asked the local priest why the Greek Church has so many bells, unlike other churches.
The explanation was simple: The more bells, the more people show their happiness with the resurrection of Jesus. How simple it is to be happier.
Get a few more bells.
I found in Santorini how appreciation for beauty unites us all.
As every tourist in Santorini, we went to Oia to watch the sunset.
Fifteen minutes before sunset, the narrow streets of Oia were packed.
People were standing everywhere. The crowd was mixed.
People came from all over the world, all coming to witness the beautiful, famous sunset.
The phones, the cameras, the selfie sticks were ready to capture every second.
When the sun finally disappeared the crowd started to clap their hands to thank nature for the wonderful “performance”.
It was amazing. Beauty has no country, language, religion, conflict, or borders; it has just pure love.
It was a magical, unforgettable moment.
I wish we could focus more on the beauty in our world.
I have evidence it can unite us. Oia’s sunset is wonderful, but you can enjoy it from any point on the western part of the island.
The sunset in the capital, Fira, and the village of Imerovigli (between Fira and Oia) was also beautiful.
You cannot have too many sunsets. I enjoyed every sunset as if it were my first. There is nothing like “too much beauty.”
I have a confession to make.
I am a beauty-holic, and I have no intention to quit. Dare to stop me.:)
This time of year, in October, is a little late for lying on the beach.
The Aegean Sea was already restless; the waves were high, and the water was too cold. However, the beach was always my happy place, so I walked on the black (volcanic) sand beach. (The best beaches are in Perissa and Kamari, where you can enjoy the sunrise.)
Only a few people were on the beach, and I could hear my thoughts clashing with the sound of the waves.
The beach had wooden pathways, but I walked on the sand to feel it.
Although it is harder to walk on the sand than on a path, it is always the way to find exciting things.
Though the sand was black, when I walked, I could find many white stones.
It reminded me that in life, even when the path seems dark and difficult to walk, there is always hope.
There is always a new and different way to go than on the path used by so many. You can always create your unique way.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson wisely said “Do not go where the path my lead, walk instead where there is no path and leave a trail”.
We left our mark on the beach—a “joy” made of stones. I wanted to bring a souvenir from the beach, so I collected a few stones.
When I passed the security at the airport, I forgot I had the sack of stones in my carry-on bag.
The stones were confiscated and thrown into the garbage.
I was disappointed. When I came home and unpacked my bag, to my surprise, I found four stones that must have fallen from the sack and were saved.
Magically, all four were different in color and shape.
I named them the “Santorini Hope”. Once again, I learned that in any situation, there is always a silver lining.
I had my souvenir, after all.
Don’t stop believing in magic.
I found in Santorini the beauty in Music.
We traveled the “wine roads” and visited the local villages.
At the village of “Pyrgos,” we walked uphill to a famous church.
When we were almost at the top, I was drawn to the sound of a beautiful melody.
I followed the music to a local seafood restaurant, “Botargo,” which was previously an 18th country mansion.
It is located on the cliff, and its terrace overlooks the eastern shoreline of the Island.
It is a beautiful and elegant-looking place (the reviews say the food is excellent as well).
I entered the restaurant, which was still empty, and looked for someone to ask what was the music I heard.
A lovely man smiled at me. He turned out to be the owner of the place. (I am sorry I failed to ask his name)
He offered to write down the name of the Greek composer and the name of the song I heard.
Beauty has a soundtrack. The song “Agistri” was composed by Giorgios Hatzinasios in the 70s.
I rediscovered the beauty of friendship.
The kind of friendship that you cannot find on Facebook, Instagram, or whatever new app they invent to make you feel connected.
The kind of friendship that is built through shared experiences, shared pain, shared joy, shared path we walked together.
The kind of friendship that doesn’t need fancy clothes or masks.
You come as you are, and it’s enough just to be you.
When you laugh at silly jokes that no one but you can understand.
A kind of friendship that is all about love, respect, and acceptance.
This kind of friendship has to be nurtured and appreciated every single day
because it is so rare in a world that googles you before making a decision whether you are someone worth knowing.
We are so fortunate to have this in our life. Thank you friends. Love and gratitude.
Beauty is closer than you think.
It is the places you walk every day; it is the music you hear; it is your family, your friends, and the people you meet every single day.
You don’t have to travel to Santorini to find it, but it is an excellent place to be reminded of the great abundance we already have.
Don’t ever forget it is always a gift waiting to be acknowledged.
Playfully yours,
Rina:)
