Seattle, WA-> Thessaloniki, Greece

Other than my international reporting experience in Havana, Cuba, I had never set foot in another country. My family had always decided to travel throughout the United States, but that has never affected my love of travel and adventure. Four days after I stepped off of a Boeing 777 in Munich and then an Airbus 320 in Thessaloniki, I have already fallen in love with yet another part of the world.

Culture is something I crave and Greece is full of it. From the food, to the music, to its history, Greece never ceases to surprise me with an abundance of culture everywhere I turn.

I must start with the food; its incredible. I cannot resist ordering a traditional Greek salad every time I sit down to have a meal. The combination of feta, spice, oil, vinegar, tomato, cucumber, and onion mold together better than the traditional Caesar salad one would commonly order in the United States. Following the beautifully crafted salad, the meal to follow never disappoints. From calamari, to kebabs, to a chicken breast, the way food is prepared by Greeks is nothing short of incredible compared to the quality of most American food. In Thessaloniki, I can spend around 13 Euros or about 15 US dollars and get a fresh salad, a flavorful meal, and drinks. In the United States a meal that lives up to the standard and quality of one found at almost any restaurant in Thessaloniki, may be not only expensive, but may only be found at a high-end restaurant. Unprocessed, fresh foods are common in Thessaloniki and it shows.

Live music and good company are a must have for the people of Thessaloniki on a Sunday afternoon. Walking around Thessaloniki, most of the shops are closed on Sundays, but the restaurants and coffee shops thrive. Restaurants lined up throughout the marketplace, outdoor seating (a must), with live music at every stop. Shops, offices, and markets may be closed on Sundays but Thessaloniki stays very much alive. Walking around on Sunday, I could feel the positive energy. Families in no rush, swarming the waterfront, coffee shops, and restaurants, filling the air with their laughter while music drives the mood. Thessaloniki comes alive on a Sunday.

Only a small part of Greek history, the ancient ruins of Phillipi make a big impression. The arches, the stones, and the items people left behind immediately made me want to know more about what life was like in Greece back when the ruins were robust structures that stood tall. Ancient stories and trinkets that accompanied the empty spots where the city center, amphitheater, and chapels once stood sparked my curiosity of what it was like when the pillars of the city came crashing down. It is breathtaking to see what once was and think about how many other things within this world are left undiscovered. The museum full of old Greek treasures and tombstones of those who once occupied the city give me more insight into who the people of Phillipi were. I envy the amount of history Greece holds.

I am already dreading the day I have to get back on an Airbus 320 and Boeing 777 and leave a part of the world I have quickly become so fond of. Until then, I will continue to enjoy the infectious quality of life, impeccable food, rich history, and addicting music.