Day 18 - Pottery Workshop and Olive Farm

Hey guys, it's Ramiah and Christina! We had a fun-filled travel day to Chania with a couple of cool stops along the way. First, we packed up our stuff, loaded the bus, and left Heraklion. We drove to a town called Margarites, known for its pottery and ceramics. The group met up with the owner of a pottery shop, where she demonstrated how to make a traditional vase using a pottery wheel. She explained how they acquire the clay from local areas and talked about the techniques and stages that make their pieces unique to Crete. She taught us about the stages of making large vases, as well as the process of firing the clay and how that has changed over time. The potter showed us the old firing kiln built by her grandfather that was fueled by wood, and explained how the very high temperature dries the clay, changes its color, and hardens the pottery. Before the use of electricity, the potters used a wheel where one person had to spin it from the bottom while another person molded the clay, which we thought was very impressive. At the end of the tour, she told us about how her grandfather and father were also potters and taught her the craft. She has now been doing it for over 40 years, and her own children also make pieces for their business. They sell internationally and locally from their shop in Margarites, and seem very happy with what they do, especially as a family. 

After we got to walk around the town and look at the ceramic creations in the other little shops, we got back on the bus to move on to the Cretanthos Olive Park. We were greeted by the owner, George, and his wife, and they gave us some background and information about the farm. George pointed out a couple of trees that were hundreds or thousands of years old. The oldest was 2,800 years old! Next, we walked around the olive park and learned about the history and artifacts on display. After we took some time to explore, we got to sit down together and try some of their olives and bread with olive oil. Next, George taught us a little about each olive oil that they make and sell. He explained the tastes, smells, and sensations that come along with each of them. Afterwards, we got to buy the ones we like for ourselves and as gifts for friends and family. I (Christina) bought some olives from the 2,800 year old tree, which is so cool, and I can't wait to try them. I (Ramiah) bought two bottles of olive oil to share with my family in friends, as well as olives from the oldest tree! I can't wait to cook with the people I love and have the memory of getting these products from Crete! 

After the olive farm, we took the bus to a town called Rethymno, where we saw a demonstration of how to make phyllo dough for baklava, and got to try some ourselves. We then walked around the town and explored the streets and shops. After our short stop, we made our way to the hotel in Chania where we'll be for our last couple of days in Greece. 

Christina - after our activities today, I thought a lot about vocation and calling. It is interesting to compare the lady who showed us her pottery making and the owners of the olive farm. The potter followed in the footsteps of her grandfather and great grandfather by learning the process of pottery making. In contrast, George went to school to learn about olives and the best way to grow and produce them for his and his wife’s farm. Even though one kept the tradition of her family, while the other sought out his own dream, both seemed very content and fulfilled with their lifestyle. It has made me think about finding my vocation and how it can be exactly what I expect it to be or something completely different that finds me through life experiences. 

Ramiah - Today was overall a great day, and it got me thinking a lot about vocation, family, and fulfillment. Visiting the pottery workshop and how the owner followed in her families' footsteps by using their craft for years to make these beautiful pieces and now her own children work with her and do the same thing shows the calling and bond that they all share which is beautiful and they seemed so proud of all the hardwork and dedication that it continues to take. George and his amazing family started a journey of their own, and it was something different from their families. George went to school to be an architect and then gained knowledge and a love for olive oil production and harvest, and invested time into something that became a passion. Both of these stories are so different but inspiring on how following what you feel called to do, even if it's the same or different from your family, can still be something of your own. 

Thanks for reading! - Ramiah and Christina

Day 17 - Donkeys and the Beach

        Hey y'all Josie and Joey here! Today was super tender in a way we didn’t see coming. We started our Friday with a 45-minute bus ride to Agia Marina Donkey Sanctuary, a tucked away refuge where donkeys go to retire after years of physical labor. Now, they receive something they couldn’t before: rest, security, and affection. This work is highly empathetic. Just because these animals aren’t deemed “valuable” anymore by traditional standards, they are still treated with respect. The group was highly impressed with the empathy of the owners.  

Agia Marina Donkey Rescue began over 25 years ago and started with a sweeping act of compassion. Owners Barbara and Fanis were asked to rescue a donkey from a local farmer who was unable to care for it. They built her a small stable within their olive farm and named her Olive. They quickly realized donkeys are social animals and will get depressed without a buddy. They soon took in Peligrino, another donkey to keep Olive company. Peligrino’s owner was sad to see him go, but ill and unable to provide adequate care. He knew by sending Peligrino to Agia Marina he would be well-cared for. These acts of kindness marked the beginning of their ongoing commitment to rescuing and caring for animals in need.  

Over the years, their passion has evolved. Despite limited access to veterinary care on Crete, they educated themselves and relied on Fanis’s experience growing up with donkeys and mules. The sanctuary does not receive government funding, but with help from organizations like CARAT UK and Greek Animal Welfare, they have continued their mission in providing a safe haven for donkeys to grow old and “retire.” 

 

        Now you may be wondering why in the world amongst the monasteries, temples, and museums we then went to a donkey sanctuary of all places. Well, that itself was kind of the point, to look at another way that people have found their purpose in the small more niche aspects of life. Specifically looking after a portion of the world that the local population didn’t value. Once the donkeys grow old, or once their owners do, it is seen as too expensive or unnecessary to take care of the donkeys anymore. So, they would usually be left behind because they have no value as determined by most, but not the owners of the sanctuary. By going here, we were trying to focus on the love, care, and value the owners have for these creatures. 

 

        At the sanctuary we were met by the aforementioned donkeys, but also chickens, guinea fowl, ducks, sheep, and some bossy geese. The donkeys were walking around grazing, and we were invited to go up and brush them as their winter coat was still shedding. As we walked around, we were surprised to be met with the donkeys coming up to us with a gentle nudge. As we explored, we learned from the owners about various stories of how the donkeys got to the sanctuary: being dropped off, born in the sanctuary, abandoned in a hotel, and even left after being in a movie. We were all taken aback by the work of the owners and the gentleness of the large animals. Many of us found that there was an unspoken mutual trust between us and the donkeys, that they trusted us to be there and be present with them and us them. It was an amazing experience that will definitely stick with many of us once the trip is done. 

 

        After we finished with our new donkey friends we then went to the beach of Matala, a beautiful combination of the mountains and ocean. There some of us shopped, swam, explored the city, or enjoyed the crashing waves of the beach. From there we had lunch and then spread out to reflect on the day. We focused by ourselves and in groups on how calling can relate to the small and quiet aspects of life that no one sees, how we define worth, and what it means to find something valuable. 

 

Josie: One moment that stood out to me was when I looked down at a scrape on my forearm, a sanctuary worker immediately pulled me to the side and into the private garden. There, he ripped off several leaves of his aloe plant and encouraged me to rub it on my cut and all over my sunburn. When he noticed David’s curiosity, he didn’t hesitate, he went back and grabbed fresh aloe for him too. It was a small gesture, but it stayed with me. No exaggerated kindness, no expectation of anything in return, just instinctive care. In that moment, I was reminded of rare it is to be seen as a human being, not a customer or tourist. This kind of giving, without and agenda, is what genuine altruism looks like. In so many environments I’ve lived in, kindness is tied to something greater: popularity points, moral high ground, or a mutual exchange. The care I received today was about shared existence and empathy. How magnificent and rare it is to be humans living on Earth at the same time. This was a huge reminder to me that sometimes kindness isn’t about sweeping gestures, but instead, the little things that occur when no one is watching.  

Joey: I was taken aback by the gentleness and spirit of the donkeys themselves. I had a donkey by the name of Ariadni come up to me and calmly nudged my leg, wanting me to pet her. I then stood there brushing her for 15-20 minutes and she stood there breathing deeply. There was seemingly an agreement between the two of us; I was here and she was here. No fanfare, no fuss, no previous meeting, we just shared the space together. I never had experienced that sense of calm with an animal that large and it was amazing to see the gentleness she gave to me as I was trying to give the same back. It was an unusual encounter for sure, but one I will hold onto fondly for a long time as a moment of being present.

Thanks for reading, see y'all soon! - Josie and Joey

Day 16 - Knossos and Arolithos

Hello everyone! It’s Emma and Kate on the blog today. We had an eventful day exploring two great cultural sites of Crete. Our adventures today also had us asking what happiness looks like to us individually and reflecting on our own traditions.  

We began the day on an early, but quick bus ride to the Minoan Palace of Knossos. Knossos or “knowledge” was built about 4000 years ago in the Bronze Age. This was even before the construction of the Parthenon in Athens. The construction is truly a marvel. We also learned from Lena about the two forms of written language before the use of the alphabet. Looking heavily influenced by Egyptian hieroglyphics, these forms are linear A and linear B. We encountered symbols like these and more at Knossos. We regularly came across stone blocks carved with the symbol of double axes which represent double power. This symbol translates to “labris”, or more familiarly, Labyrinth. The Palace of Knossos is the location and origin of the Greek myths surrounding Theseus, The Minotaur, even Dedalus and Icarus. It became clear when walking around the perimeter of the center square, where the stories came from. There were many private rooms, dark entrances, and depictions of bulls throughout the building. It's hard to draw the line where history ends and myth begins. In reality, archeologists understand this palace as a center of trade, administration, and religious ceremonies. In the West Courtyard we explored the main entrance for, as Lena put it, “V.I.P.’s”, the theater with a royal box, and grain storage unit. The theater was one of the first ones designed in ancient Greece, serving as the model for the elaborate theaters that would soon dominate classical culture.

In the center square, we saw the throne room and where travelers would come to barter. All over you could see the influence of Egyptian art in the colors, constructions, and pottery. The most fascinating aspect of this place to me (Emma), aside from the blend of history and myth, was the representations of women. It is suggested that the throne in the throne room was for a woman. The beauty of women was admired and drawn and all around. Further, a previously oral Minoan law, had been written in stone around this time, declaring that women can participate in all activities of everyday life. It is also worth considering that the estimated life expectancy for women was around 28 years old then. For me (Kate), I really enjoyed seeing the palace because it is by far some of the oldest constructions that we’ve seen so far on our trip. The reconstructors did an amazing job of bringing the ruins to life by including many colorful pieces of art that gave a glimpse into the daily life of the Minoans. From wall length murals of princes to beautiful paintings showing their sporting competitions, I felt like I was transported to one of the oldest known civilizations on Earth. The island of Crete carries so much history, and the palace of Knossos serves as the starting point for the rich culture and tradition of the island.  

 

After our walk through the palace, we got back on the bus to stop at Arolithos, a Cretan traditional village. It was beautiful and colorful and bright. There we began with a tour of their museum and preserved homes from the 19th century. The outside of the homes were painted in traditional pastels, creating a picturesque village that we stopped and admired. We learned much about Cretan culture, including their multiple wedding parties, intricate needlework decor, and the celebration of saint name days rather than birthdays.  

We were then welcomed to the kitchen by Jolly-Rancher sweet orange and white cherry juice, before getting aprons and sitting down for a cooking class! In pairs, we all learned how to make tzatziki, ntakos, and various stuffed dishes; Grape leaves, tomatoes, and peppers. For me (Emma), my favorite thing to make was stuffed grape leaves. I had always seen these and maybe tried them once or twice in my life. So, it was very enlightening to make them. Rolling up the leaves tightly is important and so satisfying! They are the perfect appetizer or accompaniment to a large table of food. We truly enjoyed cooking together as a group and finishing off the afternoon by eating all the dishes we made. One of the best meals we have had in Greece. Although I (Kate) am not much of a chef, I was so excited to learn how to make new recipes, some of which I had never tried before! The dolmades were also a favorite of mine. I had eaten them before, but the ones I made today were exceptional. Everything we ate was incredibly fresh, flavorful, yet simple, and I will definitely be making these recipes for my friends and family at home.