Santorini is perfect. It is the island that everyone imagines when they think of Greece. Since it is so idyllic I expected its ambiance to be interrupted by souped up tourism, but I was surprised to discover that it still retains much of its charm. Its backstreets and alleys are mysteriously empty, and as I wander them, I feel in a world of my own. Now that I am on an island where I feel more comfortable, my homesickness has subsided. In fact, with the exception of Ios, I have really enjoyed traveling on my own. I am able to do things at my own pace, and really take the time to think about and enjoy the things around me. It seems that there is such a focus when we travel to have a “wish you were here” attitude. Too often we spend so much time taking pictures to show everyone back home, that we never actually experience anything...

 Thira, the biggest village on Santorini is built on the face of a cliff, it is absolutely spectacular

I took so many pictures... I couldn't possibly put them all up here

I walked up a path about a half a mile away from the village center

The path from the village to the port

Everyone was getting ready to celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin which is a major holiday in both Italy and Greece, the bells would toll sporadically throughout the day

These donkeys are used to carry tourists up the steep path from the port to the village, they wore really cute halters that were decorated with seashells. I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for them though...

I told you I'm fascinated with these churches

The classic Greek Island blue dome