Things I lost: two pens (one black ink, one red), a pair of flip-flops, an elastic that the wind literally ripped out of my hair. Maybe some of those insecurities about my latest failed romance when I got far enough away to forget about it.
Things I purposely left behind: the pillow I stole from my flight, because it smelled too much like hostels, the floral print dress with the falling-out lining which wouldn’t have made it much longer anyway.
Things I brought back with me: a blue linen jacket from an expat boutique on Santorini and a semiprecious stone necklace from a shop on Adrianou Street in Athens, bought with the money my parents told me to spend on an early birthday present to myself. A little pile of email addresses from hostel friends. The slightest hint of a tan. A serious case of jet lag. This sensation that when I got home the days got longer, and cooler, because the air around JFK had more wind in it than a September usually does.
Things I regret: Not staying longer. Not staying forever. Not kissing the tall Englishman who took me to the hill overlooking Athens, even though it was the right thing to do. Not telling him I was sorry, although I think he knew. Not staying longer. Not staying forever.
(Cross-posted to www.lilitinstereo.com)