We woke up to rain, loudly skies, and a general wetness on the island today. Around noon the clouds parted and the sun came though, and a walk to Oia (pronounced "EE-ah") was proposed. We set forth form out little village, and walked about halfway across the island to Oia. Which is the place you think of when someone says, "Greece."
This island used to be one gigantic volcano. The island of Santorini (as we know it) was created by the Minoan eruption around 1630 BC - it blew out 24 cubic miles of volcanic material - four times the amount of Krakatoa's huge 1883 explosion. After the volcano erupted, it collapsed in on itself, creating the caldera we enjoy today. Dramatic cliffs, the outline of a former volcano, the white houses with blue accents. This is what I see in my mind's eye when I think of Greece.
The path varies from paved through the villages, to slippery loose rocks one the way around the caldera. We pause at lookouts for cheese, bread, and fruit. I expect that my trainer will be happy with my stair count, as well as the "death-strolls" I'm taking.
The arrival at Oia is well-anticipated. The little glowing white village beckons as you turn around each curve in the caldera. The views are spectacular, but the end goal is always in sight.
And then you are there.
And because we are a bunch of book people traveling together, this is what we find...
My traveling companion, C, claims that the village the is "Escher-like," and she couldn't be more right. The labyrinth of stairs going up and down the cliff is staggering.
Our new vacation ritual is to gather before sunset for wine and snacks. The view from our lookout is staggering, especially tonight, with the clouds cooperating so nicely.
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