All about Greece

Ah, sun, sand and great food. How I miss you already. In Europe, every country practically shuts down during Holy Week, and everyone goes on vacation. While most students backpacked around Italy, I decided to venture out and head to Greece with my sister from the States in tow. It's hard to see everything in the span of a week, but we decided to go beyond the traditional Greek tour and visit some exotic locations. The trip began on the island of Crete, where we got our first taste of Greek life. \nWe expanded our horizons in the port town of Rethymno, mainly a cheesy tourist town. It boasts whitewashed Mediterranean-style homes and gyro stands on almost every corner. Gyros are traditional Greek sandwiches made from lamb or chicken in a pita, dressed with lettuce, tomato and a spicy, yogurt-based sauce called tzatziki. They're great for a light, one-hand-necessary lunch while trekking around the town. \nWhile Rethymno is fine for a one-day stopover or an easy adjustment to Greek culture, one shouldn't spend much more time there. Tourist trap restaurants line the beach with a host outside asking, "Are you hungry?" or "Isn't it time for lunch?"\nFor the next stop on our journey, we called the town Plakias our home. Plakias is one of the major tourist hotspots in the summer months. You can find great hiking in the gorges and sandy beaches to relax and soothe your muscles. When staying, bypass all the hotels and head straight for the Youth Hostel. Chris, the owner, will direct you to the best places for fun and food. Consider him a local guidebook of all that isn't a tourist trap or a rip-off.\nAfter leaving the southern coast of Crete, we headed to the northern coast to catch our ferry to the island of Santorini, the crown jewel of the trip. Tourist activity is centered in Fira, so beware of restaurants trying to rip you off. Skip all the restaurants with American food and just go for the authentic ones -- except for Mamma's Restaurant. Mamma still works there and solicits customers. If you have any questions, Mamma will help you in her hospitable Greek demeanor. \nAs for social life, the Greeks love to party, so don't worry about the absence of nightlife.\nDiscos and bars are in abundance in Greece. For sun and fun, head down to Perissa Beach, a black sand beach. Even in cooler weather, the sand's ability to absorb heat will warm up anybody on a towel. But put on sunscreen. Even an hour in the sun will turn normal skin into a lobster shell. Yes, I did learn this the hard way.\nMajestic beauty is only a half-hour bus ride away from Fira. The small hillside town of Oia is famous for its sunset over the caldera, a hollow space where the Strongyli volcano collapsed 3,600 years ago. \nWhitewashed houses carved into the mountainside with vibrant blue doors, shutters and trim add more personality to the island. Blue signifies good luck, as well as protection from evil spirit for the Greeks. While the views are mesmerizing, keep your attention on the western edge as the sun sinks down into the ocean. Brilliant oranges, pinks and reds cast their light on the town, making it a sparkling array of artwork.\nUntil the start of the Olympics, avoid Athens. Currently, it's one of the biggest construction sites and all the historic monuments are buried under scaffolding and museums undergoing artifact restoration. Although the Acropolis and the Parthenon inspires awe at their age, it soon diminishes with the presences of the builders' tools and safety ropes. Until next time, yasis!