Day 89-100: Greek islands

My nearly two week long weekend in the Greek islands was just a perfect way to end the international trek I've been on. Cloudless skies, clear waters, reflection time, more new friends, no schedule and a few adult beverages.

I was on the islands of Corfu, Ios and Mykonos for 4, 5, 2 nights respectively with an overnight bus to Athens too.

Corfu- stayed in The Pink Palace, a legendary hostel that, although I believe it's past it's prime still made for a good ridiculous time. Activities/festivities consisted of everything from sea kayaking to booze cruising to cliff jumping to organized volleyball drinking games to toga parties. It was a much more structured hostel experience than most places I've stayed (free community bfast and dinner, isolated, everything you need right there, don't need to leave hostel resort/beach) but I definitely liked not having to make many decisions for a few days.

Ios- stayed at Francesco's, one of my favorite hostels for sure in one of my favorite places I've been to yet. Close proximity to nightlife, easy to meet people, relaxing pool, affordable. It was the time on this beautiful, fun island that felt like the cap/end to my post grad summer adventures, allowing me to return to the US content and happy with the outcome of the whole trip.

Mykonos- For going in with absolutely no expectations it ended up being a blast- pleasant beach time, music nonstop, hanging out with Australians, Macedonians, Canadians and Frenchies. A few of us went to Cavo Paradiso, a sweet club right on the beach, on my last night. It was amazing there- the club was half indoor, half outdoor with an incredible view of the moonlit sea all around. Just a great last European nightlife memory- encapsulating the beauty of the beach/island/sea and club culture in one spot. Not sure how it happened but I somehow ended up on the VIP balcony section with unlimited (free) rose/Moët and grey goose courtesy of the club owner. Like I said, not sure how it happened but it did. Maybe it was the half unbuttoned party shirt?

Few closing notes for the international chapters of this blog-

Internet really has changed the game for traveling and relationships built through. Before Facebook (and email), it just wasn't nearly as simple to stay in touch with good (or potential) friends you meet while traveling. Nowadays, it's a name exchange and a Facebook add and suddenly you can stay connected with those you had some of the best experiences of your life with. I mean there are definitely connections that will fade out and people you never hear from again. However, there are others you might actually meet up with again, whether in other travel endeavors or visiting. This could be a few months down the rode, or in an unforeseen few years. I hope that some of the awesome people I met this trip throw Boston on their itinerary when they come travel the US or at least reach out to me about other places to go within my home country (as the same resources will be available to me on future travel expeditions).

Don't get me wrong I enjoyed every day and every moment of my trip but by the end I couldn't help but be a bit excited to get back to the states to reunite with friends and partake in some quality family time in Colorado. With it dawning on me that the travels I worked so hard to set up and make work within my post grad path are ending, there is also the excitement of taking the next step forward- clearly a bittersweet moment. Or for those that know me, a classic time for the sad winky face emoticon... ; (

Day 68-88: The London 2012 Olympics

The Olympics happened, wow. A month in London flew by. Here's a highlight reel- I was blessed/lucky/fortunate enough to be at these happenings (in no order)

-4 USA swimming golds in 4 events (thanks phelps/missy frank)
-Mexico Brazil football final (Determination and heart won this match)
-metropolis studios tour/recording (especially neat after taking courses on music history/production in college)
-closing (Never in my life have I received more chills than this)
-USA basketball gold medal hunt from quarterfinals to podium
-Usain Bolt 100m Finals victory (sub 10 seconds of excitement)
-Women's beach vball (amazing venue, great views of London, fun atmosphere, lotsa talent)
-parties- NBC, Oakley, Budweiser, Lulu lemon

What I've seen and done is priceless- no party no place no nothing can match it. Attached a few pics (most are on inaccessible phone at the moment). Memorable experience. A month and done. Which brings me closer to the real world but the Greek islands for now, absorbing some rays, and reflecting some thoughts (corny or well worded?).

This working experience was great for me to get prepared for my full time job with IBM starting in October. Sure, there is a significant difference between holding a lollipop sign to direct guests around and making real business decisions for large companies and working with them towards solutions, but there are similarities- getting into the 15 min early mentality, real life time management (incorporating work outs, meals, errands, sleep and social outings into your schedule) and getting comfortable in new work environments. With Coca-Cola, I was dealing with different guests and coworkers everyday. At IBM, I'll be dealing with different clients and coworkers every project. Learning how to adjust to the clientele has proven to be of extreme importance to me in the past, and this will clearly transfer into the business world. I've started to realize that traveling has helped me quickly adjust and relate to people from near everywhere in the world. Have I been to everywhere in the world? No. But I have been some places and met people from all around, heard their stories of different places. This is travel networking, which makes traveling easier, better and more rewarding.

Networking is important in business. Nothing new there. But networking isn't a term solely associated with business. Networking is important in all aspects of life and doesn't need to have financial goals.

Some of my best travel experiences have been a result of recommendations from other travelers I "networked" with. On this trip, it was other travelers that landed me on a small plane 13,000 feet up skydiving in the Swiss Alps, staying in a legendary hostel in Interlaken. It was a handful telling me to go explore the islands of Croatia, the hidden gem of Europe.

Through travel networking, you can end up with places to stay in Chile, Sweden, Great Britain, Canada, Singapore, Australia and cool Guests visiting you if they act on the offer first (shout out to Matty visiting Chapel Hill.. Twice). This type of networking isn't about eventually making money, but more saving it and efficiently allocating it within travel time.

Traveling is awesome and lots can be learned from it just as lots can be learned in a classroom or office. I've traveled a lot the past couple years. I'm about to be in the business world (at least) a couple years. Given the way i have played out the last couple years, I'm going to use what I've learned traveling in the business world and see how it goes. But for now I'm going to a toga party in Corfu, Greece (recommended hostel) so Yamas! (cheers)