So we arrived to Andros after taking a bus, ferry, and another bus which took us around the island for the beginning of the day. We all felt this instant relaxation arriving on the island, and the blue of the ocean and huge sky was so overwhelming at first after being surrounded by buildings in Athens for our trip so far.

We went first to the Sariza spring at Apoikia- a natural spring pouring out of carved stone lion heads down a small path on the island. The water was delicious, especially considering a small air conditioning snafu on the bus. We also visited a monastery and a small, local contemporary art museum.

Finally we reached a beautiful beach right next to our hotel, which was a traditional white and blue building right on a cliff overlooking the deep blue of the water that stretched as far as we could see. We spent hours there that felt like minutes.

For dinner we went to a local tavern, and then took over one of the few bars in quaint Batsi, where we spent hours goofing around. Afterwards some of us ended the night on the beach, looking up at more stars than a lot of us had ever seen at once.

It was once of those moments I think I’ll always remember: the silence of the night, the island wind, the hugeness of the sky and the moon striking a path across the still water.

Jennifer Charoni