Holiday

Wanting to do something silly and adventurous this year; I signed up to attend my Kuwaiti School reunion. Now why is that silly and adventurous? To begin with, it was being held on a lesser known and small island in Greece; and the only thread connecting me to the other participants was that we all went to the same school. I recognized a few names as batchmates - but really - knew none of them as friends. I was uncomfortable with the fact that I, an Indian would stick out as a sore thumb between a collection of Arabs and Europeans who had a longer connection to the Mid East than I. Language, culture, and many other excuses made me think that I had done a very stupid thing by paying up the non refundable deposit.

It turns out that the eight days spent with them will probably join the list of the best days of my life. By the second day none of the fears I had stood ground and Greece made the entire experience heavenly. When I left Greece, my heart was heavy - as if parting with my extended family. We are all the same under our skin - humans. I wonder what fears or prejudices prevented me to make an effort to know these people while I was at school? It does not matter now - it was like going back in time and setting the past right. In doing so I learnt a lot of things about myself and I am feeling so good about it.

At the cost of sounding like the Greece Tourism Board; I must have had the best Kebabs in Athens; eaten some of the freshest fruits, vegetables and seafood; seen some spectacular sites both historical and natural; and met with some of the friendliest locals on earth. Greece, is probably 25% cheaper than the rest of Europe and I did not mind spending my hard earned converted Rupees on shopping either. It's on my must visit again list for sure. I am quite sure that Greece was the home for the Gods on earth.

It was great to switch off from the world. Despite great WIFI (free) connectivity almost everywhere (hotels, restaurants, cafes, shops) - I decided to keep away from absorbing any form of news - electronic or print. The newspapers were all Greek to me anyway. I could have been Nero fiddling while the world was burning; but that is what a holiday is supposed to be - right? Time to let go of everything so that the focus returns on the self? Is it a selfish thought? Honestly - I don't know nor do I care. We owe ourselves some time to reconnect to all that really matters to us. There is no guilt in enjoying life.

Now... bye.... got to plan my next holiday.