From Fear to Awe — How Greece Changed My Rhythm

Gabriela
Nov 10, 2025
3 min read

Watching Prokopos Lagoon from Mavra Vouna Hill — I was watching over the Prokopos Lagoon and Strofylia Forest from a view point on Mavra Vouna Hill.

I did not like Greece the first time — not even the second or the third.

I was seeing it through young eyes, with little information — as my school years only praised Romania in the history books, and we were not taught about other cultures.

Life in Romania was difficult after the revolution. I had just started traveling abroad, and I have to admit — I was terrified of everything new.

There wasn’t much information on the internet back then. We didn’t have AI.

Prokopos Lagoon, Strofylia Forest and the sea.

Information came from international guidebooks — if you could find and afford them — or from early days of Wikipedia.

There were no GPS apps, no Google Maps, only paper maps.

I had a constant fear of getting lost. But that fear also made me more aware, more observant of my surroundings.

The food was different from what I knew. The language made no sense.

I was wild and restless.

But I documented what I saw with my camera.

Now… I am in awe and every day I wake up missing everything about it.

The last few times we had to leave Greece, I really cried — alone, watching the sunrise in silence, before we started our drive back towards Romania.

I knew I was going to miss the air, the sounds, the views, the people… the peacefulness of my mind.

I knew, and I still know, that I must make this move a reality.

Time flows differently in Greece.

In an effort to perceive it differently — and also because this transition needs extra funds until we sell the house — we sold our Apple Watches.

I realized they kept me connected to the constant need of being productive.

Every beep, every notification, every call — right there on my wrist.

Now, I feel time in a softer way.

More human.

When I began discovering Greece, the first place that truly captured my heart was Kalogria.

Those who have followed my posts won’t be surprised.

I had the chance to explore it without rush — not just the gorgeous sandy beach, but also the Strofylia Forest, its wildlife, and the park that stretches all the way to the Prokopos Lagoon.

There was no drone back then, so I climbed Mavra Vouna Hill, overlooking the lagoon, trying to take in as much beauty as I could.

That was the moment I understood that Greece is not a place you visit — it’s a rhythm you surrender to.

We are still in Romania, and I know I have to be patient.

Things happen when they are meant to happen.

But my soul misses Greece.