Introduction
Hello! My name is Aarushi Nandi, and I am 10 years old. I live in San Jose, California, with my parents. I am excited to share my experience of participating in the Anapale World Dance Festival 2024 in Athens, Greece, followed by an unforgettable five-day tour around this beautiful country.
Dance Performance at Anapale World Dance Festival
As the moments ticked down to our performance, I felt a wave of nervousness. What if I messed up? What if I forgot part of the dance? My mind was racing, but deep down, I was filled with excitement—I was about to perform at an international event!
When our group was announced and the music started, I put on my best smile and stepped onto the stage. Although I had performed in front of large audiences before, this moment felt different. It was a huge honor to be part of such a prestigious festival. Despite my initial nerves, the experience of performing on an international platform gave me new encouragement to continue my dance journey. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who made this possible!
Tour Day 1: Exploring the Wonders of Athens
Acropolis Museum
Our first day of touring began with a visit to the Acropolis Museum. As soon as we arrived, I was amazed by the sight of the museum. Outside the entrance, there was a section of the floor that was clear, allowing us to see the ancient ruins beneath our feet. It was both fascinating and a little scary to walk on the glass floor!
Inside, the museum was enormous, filled with statues, artifacts, and architectural models from ancient Greece. One of the rooms had a strict no-photography policy, which made me even more curious about its contents. The Acropolis Museum was one of my favorite parts of our five-day tour, offering a glimpse into Greece’s rich history.
Hiking to the Parthenon
Next, we hiked up to the Parthenon. The day was hot, and the hike was challenging, but I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Although the climb was tough, the view from the top was breathtaking. Seeing the Parthenon up close and the panoramic view of Athens made the effort worthwhile. It was an experience I will never forget.
Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon
Later that day, we visited Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon. The heat was intense, but the sight of the temple was incredible. I had never seen anything like it before. The view of the Aegean Sea from the temple was spectacular, making the visit even more special. After exploring the temple, we relaxed at a nearby coffee shop, enjoying some refreshing ice cream before heading back to the bus. This stop was definitely a highlight of the day.
Tour Day 2: Island Adventures
Island of Hydra
Day two took us on a cruise to the island of Hydra. This was my first time visiting an island, and I was bursting with excitement! Hydra’s rocky landscape, overlooking the Aegean Sea, was stunning. We climbed up the stone stairs to take in the breathtaking views from the harbor. I also did some shopping, picking up beautiful pure cotton clothes with lovely prints. Before heading back to the ship, we enjoyed some delicious ice cream. Hydra was a magical place, and I had a lot of fun exploring it.
Island of Poros
Our next stop was the smaller island of Poros, where we stayed for 45 minutes. We hiked up to see a statue of a man resting his arm on a ship’s steering wheel—a sight I had never seen before. The hike was partly shady, which was a relief in the hot weather. Although Poros didn’t have much to see, the unique statue made the visit worthwhile.
Island of Aegina: A Day of Discovery
In Aegina, we first visited a monastery, which was my first time inside a Christian church. The monastery was large and filled with many religious artifacts, giving me a new understanding of Christianity.
Afterward, we took a bus tour of the island, passing by numerous pistachio trees. We stopped at a pistachio shop where we tried different varieties of pistachios, including honeyed and salted ones. My mom also treated us to pistachio ice cream, which was a delicious way to end our visit. The island of Aegina was a unique experience, filled with new sights and flavors.
Tour Day 3: Ancient Wonders and Shopping Sprees
The Corinth Canal
Our third day began with a visit to the Corinth Canal, a stunning waterway that reminded me of the Grand Canyon. The water was a beautiful color, and the view from the bridge was mesmerizing. The canal was one of the loveliest things I had ever seen.
Ancient Theater at Epidaurus
Next, we visited the ancient theater at Epidaurus. The architecture was incredible, and it made me and my dad wonder how people in ancient times could create such masterpieces. Although the heat made it difficult to explore, the view from where I was sitting was perfect. The theater was an amazing sight.
Drive-through of Nafplio and Visit to the Palace of the Atreides in Mycenae
As we drove through the town of Nafplio, I couldn’t help but notice how different it looked compared to my home in California. The town was pretty, but I wished we could have stopped to explore it on foot.
Our next stop was the Palace of the Atreides in Mycenae. The entrance looked dark and a bit frightening, but once inside, the space was bright and airy. The palace had a unique dome-shaped roof, and our guide explained that a single stone at the top was holding the entire structure together. The palace was fascinating, and I’m glad I overcame my initial fear to explore it.
Jewelry Shopping Near Mycenae
One of the most exciting parts of the day was jewelry shopping near Mycenae. We were given raffle tickets and listened to a presentation about the items in the shop, including pottery and jewelry. My parents and I ended up buying a lot of things, including a moderation cup and some beautiful jewelry. I love jewelry, and this shopping experience was one of my favorite parts of the day.
Tour Day 4: Exploring Delphi
Temple of Apollo at Delphi
Our fourth day began with a visit to the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. The heat was intense, but the temple was beautiful. Despite the sweltering conditions, I enjoyed exploring the historical site. I think this was my favorite place of the day, even though it was incredibly hot.
Archaeological Museum at Delphi
The Archaeological Museum at Delphi was fascinating. I learned about the Amazon Women, the Sphinx of Naxos, the Charioteer of Delphi, and many other interesting artifacts. One of the statues even had visible veins in its hands, which I found really cool. The museum was filled with so much to see and learn, making it one of the most interesting stops on our tour.
Tour Day 5: The Final Day in Athens
Olympic Stadium of Athens
On our last day, we visited the Olympic Stadium of Athens, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. The stadium was impressive, with both the Olympic and Greek flags flying in front. Although the visit wasn’t the most exciting part of the trip, it was interesting to see such a historic site.
Gratitude and Reflections
I want to take this opportunity to thank a few special people who made this incredible journey possible. First, I am deeply grateful to my dance Guru, Sima Chakraborty, the founder and artistic director of Nataraj School of Dance. Her guidance and encouragement have fueled my passion for dance, and I am so lucky to have her as my teacher. Without her support, I would never have dreamed of performing at an international event like the Anapale World Dance Festival.
I also want to thank Vani Shankar, CEO of Know Your Roots Foundation, for her innovative ideas and dedication to spreading our amazing art and culture to the world. She creates joyful opportunities that help us excel in our dance performances and deepen our connection to our heritage.
Lastly, I am thankful to my parents for their endless support and encouragement, which allowed me to participate in this prestigious event. Their love and effort mean everything to me.
Conclusion
The Anapale World Dance Festival and the following tour of Greece were experiences I will never forget. From performing on an international stage to exploring the rich history and culture of Greece, every moment was filled with excitement, learning, and joy. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of this amazing journey and look forward to many more adventures in the future.