More Kefi Please!

It’s finally the off week and the only way to describe where I am right now is Heaven…aka the island of Naxos! I am here with Abby, Memma, Lauren, Matt, and Loree Anne and we are having the most amazing time. We had to wake up at 5 in the morning yesterday to catch a giant cruise ship to Naxos. As we pulled in, it was everything I had ever imagined the islands would be and more. White buildings, blue tops, and blue shutters painted the coastline. The water went from deep blue to a vibrant turquoise and you could see giant white rocks scattered across the bottom. As we got off the ship, we were basically running to get to our hotel, into our bathing suits, and head straight to the beach. We are staying at Hotel Galini; a little Greek family, who could not be more excited that we are staying here, runs it. We are right by this beautiful beach called St. George and today we hopped on a bus to a more secluded beach called Prokopios. Last night we went to a Mexican restaurant called Picasso and we ate more food than I have ever seen 6 people eat in my life. We then walked the streets of “The Center” and had a brilliant idea…we decided to pretend that it was Loree Anne’s bachelorette party so that we could get some free stuff. As soon as our waitress figured this out, we got the royal treatment. We lived it up and had a great time being given free things; we’ve decided it’s going to be Matt’s birthday tonight, Happy Birthday Matt!

Going from service week to this week makes me appreciate where I am even more. Seeing what these families go through and how difficult their lives are makes me realize I truly have “won the lottery in life” (as Robbie would say). I see now that I have been given gifts and opportunities that allow me to help others. I am so thankful that I chose Global Lead as my study abroad program because it has opened my eyes to a world I had only heard about!

My life in three words is “More Kefi Please!” I chose these three words because this trip just keeps getting better, and I can’t wait to see what the next three and a half weeks have to offer!

Jordan Luedde