So, today was my last full day on the beautiful island of Paros...the place that has become my home, my way of life. The past couple of weeks have certainly had their fair share of the busy factor...finishing up final projects, spending late nights in the painting studio amidst paint fumes and turpentine, hiking to our countryside clay studio for sculpture workshops on sweltering days, prepping for our final gallery show...yes, even in the fairytale land of Greece the last sprint before the semester's end is always a scramble. Yet the madness of finals week here was pleasantly sprinkled with some indescribable Grecian magic (and my own firm decision not to let school rule my life): mornings of chocolate waffles under the olive trees, long lazy afternoons at the beach sipping Breezers, evenings swinging on hammocks and painting grafitti on abandoned roofs, late nights swimming under the moon or dancing under the stars, longs walks by myself when I could fully enjoy the smells and sights of spring, and of course having amazingly fun times with all of the wonderful friends I have met here, shopping and eating and going out and laughing and doing all of the things girls do.
It has been a spectacular finale to a magnificent experience. On Saturday night we had our big art exhibition, the event we've been anticipating and building up to all semester...I got to show some of my work and take part in my first poetry reading which was nerve wracking but such a rewarding experience after all the hard work we've put in. There was a really great turn out, and afterwards we all went out dancing with the members of our rival art school here on Paros; a refreshing change from the odd Sharks/Jets tension we've had in the past. Last night some of my friends and I had a beach picnic at sunset, and I could think of no more enjoyable way to spend one of my last evenings than sipping Parian wine and nibbling dark Greek chocolate by the ocean with such good friends.
Today was a difficult day. Most of the girls here left, and it was so hard to bid farewell to those I've grown to care for as sisters. Watching that ferry pull away from the port as we waved from the big windmill was so sad and confusing. I went for a long walk and a swim at sunset, just thinking and feeling grateful for my time here. I am so sorry to leave, even far from ready, but at last I've said goodbye to my island. Home is calling me from across that horizon. Tomorrow we sail for Athens...goodbye dear Paros.
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