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Greece: My Quest to Conquer my Fear



If it is not a bad news it will never be on TV. This has been my realization over watching TV news. Lately, I felt I had to avoid being engrossed with the tube programs because it makes me go crazy and it creates a great fear inside. 
This is what happen to us when we were about to fly out from Serbia to Greece. My husband had to read news everyday about any happenings in our destination. Sudden fear fed me up that I asked him if it was possible not to continue the trip. Well... my husband is a risk taker and said," They have their own business and so as we. We won't intervene with their agenda." Those words struck me and just went to his flow.
I can't understand why bad news is/are readable to the public and that cause/s people to fear traveling and rather like to be stuck in their own comfort zone. This really annoys me so much. I feel sorry for them they miss the beautiful adventures of life.
To elaborate this further, I have a friend who is from America. He said that he was so scared to travel to Philippines because of kidnapping foreigners. Well... I couldn't blame him. So am I... Mindanao has judged and has reduced its value due to its news about kidnapping and war. We never had gone to Mindanao and we've prior fear and knowledge and have us to avoid the place. I asked my high school teacher who is residing in Zamboanga and my student from Cotabato, they both have the same answer that they hear bombings and gun shots... just they were so careful and they were getting used to it. For us local people, we know how danger is our own country. Mindanao is a huge island, and I am sure there are more islands that are beautiful and safer to travel like Davao for example.
Going back to our trip to Greece, bringing these fears in me, I didn't notice that the plane had touched down. We took bus X95 from the airport to the main square. As we got to the place, across to that Syntagma square is the Parliament house. It was so obvious and it was so visible to us the barricade protecting the Parliament house for any violators of peace and vandalism. Aside from that, cops were stationed in every corner of it. I both feel safe and afraid - safe from the thieves and afraid of any action will happen.  
To make me relax and just to enjoy our stay, I pray having that faith that everything will work out. I've seen a lot of tourists and Filipinos in Athens, so this made me feel better. If goddess Athena's intervention were real, then, she might make our stay in Athens worthwhile. 
In contrary to Thessaloniki, I had never seen any cops that stationed anywhere for fear of any violence. I saw number of people joining the demonstrations. It was bigger group than Athens.

By the bay walk in Thessaloniki

You can watch the rally here.
It was a peaceful protest and no violence had happened. In the distance from our balcony, I could hear them shouting expressing their feelings in Greek. I am not really sure what they are fighting for, but I know Greeks are the maker of democracy and they don't want to be dictated. After watching this and compare from the news, I realized that it doesn't really harm us. Thus, I shouldn't be empowered by the news. I shouldn't let any negative information stop me from living in a normal and peaceful life. 
I agree that there is no safe place in this world, but if my dream is to be like an explorer and adventurer, I should go out and free myself from the influence of violence and fearful message from mass media. I deserve to enjoy my life. I believe on one thing," You never know if the place is safe unless you get there."
In fact, I had enjoyed staying Athens and Thessaloniki. I found tranquility over the Athens' hills and marveled by the lovely sunset along Thessaloniki's seafront and boulevard. 


***

In Athens, the highlights of our trip was when we climbed the top of the two hills and the visitation of the ruins, especially, Acropolis Hills and the Agora. 

You can watch the video here.

Pinopoulo's Hill: The Highest hill in Athens


  Ancient Agora


Who can forget our quest in discovering the beach of Thessoliniki? Good. We never gave up and we found it and not only that we found the most lovely sunset and the calmness of the sea.




Our Cruising with my husband was so romantic while watching the lovely sun as it slant slowly over the hills turning the water the bay of gold.


If  these marvelous and peaceful things happen everyday, so who could ever think of any fears and worries in life? I had taken control. It was great feeling that I've taken the first big step in the new and unfamiliar place with courage. And that was the way it would be from now on. My travel adventures has started now.








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