MYKONOS: Day 4

Today is the defining day of the trip for me. This day I caught a glimpse of all the ancient history I envisioned I'd see in Greece, experienced true night life and watched the sun rise from the peak of the island. Also, I found out who my friends were: three equally wonderful, yet completely different girls who I'd quickly fall in love with (as well as all you other knuckleheads).
After our late night out Bri and I were late waking up to meet the others for the ferry. We were both dressed, and even managed to brush our teeth, and fly out the door in five minutes flat. (It's amazing how quickly you move after you've forked over 20 euros :] ) Talk about a rush. In another day or two we would all quickly learn that sleep was for losers on this trip. There just honestly wasn't enough time in 35 days and 12 countries for sleep.
The ferry to Delos was smaller and only about 30 minutes as opposed to five hours from the day before. 
Delos is the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and one of the original Greek settlements. All archaeological ruins now, these once standings temples, public buildings and homes are breathtaking (like everything else I've seen in the past 72 hours.) The island is gigantic to solely hold ruins from an ancient civilization. Crumbled and chipped remains of marble, granite and stone cover the land. Some structures more identifiable than others. 
We walked where gods once walked. Whether you're a monotheist or polytheist, the idea is stellar. Regardless if gods ever existed, people from centuries ago created and inhabited this island at one point in time. 
I have an obnoxious amount of photographs and entirely too many to attach and explain, but we saw everything: old pottery and butcher shops, royal families homes, the watering system and wells. Simply fascinating that this island was the beginning. 

Capturing what's left of the structure of this once active town.

 Temple of Apollo... or Artemis (memory failing)

Courtyard of a wealthy home. If you had mosaic tiles you had wealth.

Obviously, there are a million more things I could go into detail about, but as I previously stated, the pictures do no justice anyway.
Here's the highlight of the day. With the hurricane like wind blowing dust and my already too-short sundress flying all over the place, I journeyed to the top of the mountain with the others. I was going to stay back with another girl, Sasha, (who'd worn wedges; we were all unprepared in the footwear department.) Instead I turned around last minute and ran to catch up with the others as I held my dress and fedora to my body hoping not to lose my sandals, too. 
Guys, I'm tough when it comes to most of life's obstacles, conquering heights, however, has never been a winning battle for me. I'm already freaked out that I am going against my sanity, trucking my way to the top, when the higher I climb the harder the wind gets. I'm talking blowing us over type wind. I was grabbing rocks and holding on for dear life. I practically crawled to the top. WHEW! I made it though, and it was phenomenal! If I never make it to heaven, I'd settle for the top of that mountain. The view is insane!
Don't let my excitement fool you - going down was equally scary! :)

View from the top!

Yes, I went to the top of this one! High five :)

"STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM!!!"

Delos was the first of many things I'd hoped to see on this trip! I had just hiked this mountain and I was feeling damn good about life!
For me, it is still so insane to stand essentially where the world as I know it began: Democracy, arts, community and technology.


***Day 4's nightlife begins in the early morning of Day 5, so I am going to stop here. This night I'm going to discuss could be a book of it's own. Crazy fun!