By Celeste Warner
Traveling is my addiction. Visiting new countries, embracing new cultures, and filling up my passport with stamps—nothing brings me more joy. This summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Greece on a mission trip. It was an unforgettable experience to see a historic, beautiful country while loving others in the process. If you’re looking for a wonderful country with lively culture to visit, I highly recommend Greece.
However, before you arrive in Greece to enjoy the beaches, food, and architecture, here are eight things you need to know to make your transition into this culture smoother:
Driving to Your Plane
After you land in Greece, each connecting flight to the islands will begin with a bus ride to your plane. Greece does not use terminals. Instead, you will go through automatic double doors and squeeze into a bus with the other passengers. The bus takes you to your plane, where you have to walk up steps to enter (because of this, make sure you can carry your luggage up multiple steps).
Do Not Flush Toilet Paper
The sewage system in Greece is older, and the original pipes cannot hold paper products. Instead, you throw away your toilet paper. It won’t be hard to get accustomed to once it becomes routine. However, if you feel uncomfortable with the process, I would recommend bringing body wipes—this will make you feel fresh and clean (you will have to throw these away, too).
When Driving, There are NO Rules
Grecian drivers travel without any hesitancy. You can pass anyone, make U-turns whenever necessary, and drive down the narrow, stone streets. But, always drive with caution and never be distracted. Allow a passenger to read the map and never be on your phone. The traffic can change within a second, and it is essential to your safety and the other driver’s safety that you stay aware of your surroundings. Also, whenever you park on the narrow streets, fold your side mirrors in so that other cars can pass while you’re parked.
Portions are Huge (and Fries are a Must)
When you eat, always go hungry. The food is delicious, and their portions are ginormous. And always try the local food. Many places will sell burgers or sandwiches, but try the local cuisine. Grecian food has a lot of variety, and there is always something new to try or a new way to experience the same type of food. And if you love fries, you will be able to curb that craving easily. Grecians have fries in a lot of their food, and they serve them as a common side.
Bring Water Shoes or Chacos for the Beach
Grecian beaches are covered in rocks, not sand. This makes it difficult to get in the water. The rocks are extremely slippery, making it uncomfortable to go barefoot, and the wave’s force makes it impossible to wear flip-flops (I nearly lost mine five times because I stubbornly tried to go farther into the water). Wear either water shoes or Chacos—something that can stay on your feet and is also easy to dry and reuse after getting wet.
Graffiti Paints the Town
Though graffiti can be found in most cities, the Grecian graffiti seems to tell a story—a story of its people, culture, and history. Most Grecian cities will have buildings, bridges, and rocks filled with graffiti, and it helps bring you closer to its natives.
Grecians are Super Hospitable
Always willing to help the confused, wide-eyed traveler, Grecians embrace and cherish hospitality. Never be afraid to ask the locals a question or for a recommendation—they will always help you. However, be knowledgeable of the culture. Though many Grecians are Greek Orthodox, there are many Islamic families as well. It is important for you to know certain customs so you can be respectful to them and their culture.
During Your Trip, Be a Grecian
No matter where you’re from, the best way to embrace every part of the country is to claim it as your own. Whether you’re going for a week or a month, it is important to understand and embrace the country and the culture for what it is. Yes, it is different from your home country, but that is why it’s called an adventure. I’ve discovered that when I embrace the country’s lifestyle, I can live content in both the positive and negative moments because both moments are a part of life. It also serves as a reminder that your life and the life of the people in the visiting country are similar—at the core, beyond home country, ethnicity, religion, culture, we are human.
We’re all people living in the same world but with different customs, and these differences are why we travel. Live in the moment, embrace the culture, and enjoy the upcoming, unforgettable adventure.
Closing Thoughts on Visiting Greece
Are you ready to visit Greece now? A big thanks to Celeste Warner for putting this together for Carried Away Travels! If you enjoyed this post, you can find more of Celeste’s writing at Lane of Roses. Be sure to leave a like or comment, and don’t forget to subscribe for more helpful travel tips and guest posts!
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Until the next time, happy travels!
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