By Aditri Bhatla
Henry Miller once said, “It takes a lifetime to discover Greece, but it only takes an instant to fall in love with her.” Before my visit, I had no idea how true these words were. Hi everyone, my name is Aditri Bhatla, and just a few weeks ago, I returned from the trip of a lifetime! From ancient monuments to turquoise waters, Greece captivates you with its beauty. In 2024 alone, over 30 million people have visited Greece, and I can’t believe I was one of them.
While touring Greece was an amazing experience, my trip was about much more than sightseeing. I was there to perform at the Anapale World Dance Festival! I’ve been learning Kathak, an Indian classical dance, since I was five years old at Ms. Sangita Das’s Kathak Kala Vihar Dance School. Dance has always been a significant part of my life, and it became even more important when my Guru Sangita Das gave me the opportunity to perform in Greece. There were seven of us in our dance group, and we spent countless hours practicing for this moment. Performing in Greece was a dream come true for all of us, and we made the most of every second.
The journey started with a bit of drama—a delayed flight and a missed connection! But after all the commotion, my mom, sister, and I finally arrived in Greece. Once we settled into our hotel, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast before resting a bit. That evening, we went to the Dora Stratou Greek Dances Theatre to watch the performances of other groups, including another Kathak group. The evening was filled with smooth and graceful performances, and I couldn’t wait for our turn to take the stage the next day.
On the second day, we had the chance to participate in a Greek dance workshop. The energy was contagious, and the steps reminded me of Garba, a traditional Indian dance. After two hours of dancing, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for our performance that evening. Getting ready for a Kathak performance is a meticulous process, from putting on the dress to applying makeup and wearing jewelry. When the moment finally arrived, we danced our hearts out. The performances were phenomenal, and we were all so happy with how it went.
The third day took us to the heart of Athens, where we visited the Acropolis and the Parthenon. The views from the top were breathtaking, and I felt like I was living a dream, especially after reading about these places in the Percy Jackson series. We also visited the Temple of Poseidon, another incredible sight that left me in awe.
Day four was a highlight for me as we embarked on a cruise that took us to the islands of Hydra, Poros, and Aegina. Each island had its unique charm, from the picturesque streets of Hydra to the clock tower in Poros and the pistachio groves in Aegina. The day was filled with exploration, delicious food, and, of course, lots of photos!
On the fifth day, we visited the Corinth Canal and the Ancient Theater at Epidaurus, dedicated to the Greek God of Medicine, Asclepius. The theater was massive and had a fascinating history. We also toured the town of Nafplio and the Palace of the Atreides in Mycenae, which was an unexpected and thrilling experience.
Our final day in Greece took us to the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. The walk up was challenging, but the sight of the ancient stadium and the views from the top were worth it. We also visited the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, where we marveled at the statues and artifacts that depicted the daily life of ancient Greeks.
As our trip came to an end, our suitcases were heavier with souvenirs, but our hearts were light with joy. The memories I made in Greece will stay with me forever, from exploring new places to spreading our culture through dance. Greece has taught me so much, and I am incredibly grateful for this experience. Once again, I’m Aditri Bhatla, and I just had the time of my life in Greece! I hope you enjoyed your journey through Greece through my words.