ATHENA PART TWO.

At the restaurant, I got a table right at the top of the stairs, overlooking the city below. From where I was sitting, I could see other restaurants scattered along the hillside, all the way down. I ordered calamari rings, a local Greek dish called Pastitsio, and a pomegranate juice (my go-to juice!). As I was eating, I was people-watching too. I was shocked that the calamari didn’t come on rings; it is literally a small squid just half-opened, and it’s a whole bowl! I squeezed the lemon on top of it, and it’s the perfect combination of salty and sour. I couldn’t finish it all and had to take away some, especially the Pastitsio. As I finished my dinner, I was just appreciating these small quiet moments that I have for myself. It’s really fascinating that I get to see most of it in my 20’s.

Oh, by the way, today is the release of our roster for the next month. While waiting for my food, I opened our system to check my schedule, and they gave me my requested flights again! Mashallah. I’ve never been to this city, so I’m looking forward to it for the next month.

I planned on going to the Philaddos hill to watch the sunset, but the sunset is still at 8:51 in the evening. I kind of hesitated since our hotel is far, and just decided to roam around the area and bought a goddess statue, a ring, and shades from Greece.

Before leaving the hotel earlier, I told myself that I needed to make my way back while there was still sunlight. Our hotel is in a far-away land, and to be honest, I was a little worried about my own safety.

I believe that when you travel solo, you become more aware of little things— the things that you normally wouldn’t think twice about when you’re with someone else. You start weighing certain situations differently, especially when your gut is telling you something.

I even told my friend that I felt like something was pushing me to get back to the hotel before the sun went down— literally and figuratively. So I decided to listen to my intuition.

I reached the hotel at around 9 in the evening, and there was still a little bit of light in the sky, although it was already starting to get dim. Somehow, that gave me a sense of relief.

The morning after, I set my alarm at 6 in the morning, but, not to my surprise, I woke up before it went off. I took a shower and headed to the pool and the beachside, hoping to finish writing this blog.

And here I am, finally finishing it in front of the beach, where the sunrise reflects over the mountains. All I can hear are the gentle waves, and I feel the fresh breeze of air that I’ve missed.

It was a calm and peaceful morning for me. I’ve always loved European summers, and I’m just trying to take everything in because later this afternoon, I’ll have to head back to Doha.

Being in Athens has been on my bucket list forever! I wanted to see the Acropolis, roam around the city, and just to feel the Mamma Mia vibes. And I did. I am so grateful for all of these and for all the new destinations that I am yet to explore. I will visit Santorini and Mykonos in the future. Mark this word.

One thing that I learned from this experience is that you must always trust your gut whenever you feel something, and you must always go alone by yourself whenever you don’t have someone to go with. Even if it would cost you more money, because I am telling you, experience is what we are all living in this moment, and also, you need to be very careful too.

I’ve always enjoyed talking to strangers. I mean, the person you happen to cross the street with, the one you meet while waiting in line to order something, or someone who’s also taking a picture and somehow, you end up finding out where they’re from.

There was the ticket lady at the metro who couldn’t believe that I would only stay one (1) day here in Athens. Then there was the guy I met because I was asking which side of the train would take me to the city, and there are so many more little encounters like these.

One of the things that I love about traveling alone is you become more open to talking to people that you probably would have never spoken to otherwise.

Life is so full when you try to engage and observe everything around you. Just what like I always say.