Describe your day to day activities.
Keanna: The day-to-day activities on the Travel for Teens Greece trip were always exciting and you never wanted it to end. Some of the activities that we did on this trip included a Greek cooking class, riding a donkey down the side of a volcanic crater (don’t worry it is not as scary as it sounds), relaxing on the beautiful black and red sand beaches, visiting many ancient Greek ruins including the Acropolis, water tubing, or even visiting a butterfly garden and so much more!
The weather was always sunny and hot (I would recommend plenty of sunscreen). Also we got to go to some of the most amazing restaurants including restaurants that looked over all of Athens with a beautiful sunset and one of the restaurants had a breathtaking view of the Acropolis. A lot of the time if the group needed a quick lunch we would eat traditional Greek gyros!!
All of the Greek locals are extremely friendly too. They will gladly give you directions and they LOVE it if you try and speak Greek to them. Even if you are completely wrong they are happy to see you are trying to speak their language.
Ten years from now, what's the one thing you think you'll remember from the trip?
Keanna: It is hard to narrow it down to one thing because everything on this trip was so memorable but I think in ten years from now one thing that I will always remember from this trip is the unique experiences and memories that I made with the counselors and other teens. All the counselors were always joking around (but also got serious when they needed to) and making sure you were happy and having a good time. We had so many inside jokes with them and everyone was always laughing and having so much fun.
Also all of the other teens on the trip were really welcoming and friendly. You become so close with everyone, everyone becomes like one big family by the end of the trip and you do not what to leave. You make so many good friends and by the end you feel like you have known them all your whole life. It is defiantly an unforgettable experience.
Has your worldview changed as a result of your trip?
Keanna: Yes I do feel that my worldview has changed as a result of this trip. I realized how big the world is and how there are so many things in the world that I have not encountered yet. There are so many different languages, cultures, and traditions that I am beginning to learn about through traveling.
Also when traveling with Travel for Teens you really feel like just another one of the locals, you never feel like a tourist. I feel that not feeling like a tourist and feeling like a local really helps to get a real sense of the culture that is surrounding you. Also for me when you actually get to see the places and landmarks that you learned about in history class with your own eyes it feels more real and meaningful.
What was the most interesting cultural difference you encountered?
Keanna: The most interesting cultural difference that I encountered in Greece would definately have to be the food. The food in Greece is nothing like the food that I am used to in the United States. I love learning about and trying all the different types of foods that are eaten around the world but when I was deciding to go on this trip I was scared that I was not going to like the food. I never really ate any Greek food before.
But once I got there and tasted the food I realized I had nothing to worry about, it was delicious. I especially liked the gyros, Tzatziki with fried zucchini, and Saganaki (fried cheese appetizer). When I got home I missed eating the authentic Greek food everyday. Also you were never forced to eat anything you did not want to eat. My sister also went on the trip and she might be one of the pickiest eaters I know and she ended up liking the food as well.
Where would you most like to travel to next?
Keanna: After this trip I took to Greece I immediately knew I wanted to go on another trip next summer. I decided I would sign up for the adventure and service trip in Costa Rica with Travel for Teens. I chose Costa Rica because I have never been to Latin America before and I wanted to have a different experience than I got traveling to Europe.
In Costa Rica I got to do tons of cool adventure activities, community service, and try a bunch of new Costa Rican food. I had such a great time and met some wonderful people and made many memories that I will never forget.
After having two such amazing summers with Travel for Teens I decided to go on my third trip to Australia and New Zealand. I am extremely excited to go scuba diving and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef and seeing animals including kangaroos and koala bears. I cannot wait to go this summer and make some more once in a lifetime memories.