Leaving a place where you have been living in for almost a month is always difficult. The fact that I have done my very first startup internship does not help with the homesickness kind of feeling. It is a reality that you have made your place there, you have started calling people by their name and acquired a whole new routine. It is said that “home is where the heart is” and I have left a piece of mine in Poros, uphill in Live-Bio.
The experience: startup internship
Doing an internship at Live-Bio has been a whole new experience. I came to the place motivated by the idea of two entrepreneurs wanting to show the world their lifestyle in a startup form and ended up falling in love with the people, the place and the views.
I enjoyed working in my very own apartment, with the stunning views to Poros Island. I started riding a bike again after 10 years. I drank coffee (lots of them, and let me tell you, it is so good!). I ate a lot (literally, a lot). I traveled to other islands and saw Greek wineries (Skouras Wines among others) for the first time in my life. I saw Nafplia, Greek used-to-be capital, and want to come back to visit the Theatre of Epidavros. And I am actually tanned! I am, even if my mom does not believe me.
The country: Greece
I have discovered that Greece is not “only” the white-washed houses near the sea, but also mountains with tons of olive trees (just do a road trip through the Peloponnese), which make amazing olive oil (believe me, I’m Spanish!), little towns where cars cannot go in and people that speak pretty good English actually. You will find that there are many things to do on the island and the mainland. Live-Bio has a big offer of things to do, so just ask them!
Visiting Greece was not one of my New Year’s resolutions, but oh boy, do I want to visit again next year! And the following, every year actually. I have officially fallen in love with the Aegean Sea. When I studied the European seas in tenth grade, nobody told me that it was as blue as a sapphire and so clear you can literally see the sea floor everywhere (everywhere!). You need to visit the beaches in this place (there are so many close-by!).
The place: Live-Bio
Magdalena and Periklis have been absolutely lovely, and the fact that they speak Spanish helped a lot at the beginning: it is not that my English is bad, but having somebody that speaks your mother tongue can become very helpful when you are abroad (and out of your comfort zone). They have made their own little community there: with Nikos, the barista; Dimitri, the restaurant owner, and Katerina, the chef and magnificent host, between a few of them. You will feel lucky to be in this special community, to get to know people and practice your English (or whatever language you want! These people have quite of an international background).
What to expect
For those who are afraid of coming to this country, I’d say fear nothing. It is secure and lovely in here. People are always willing to help (I think Greek moms teach hospitality already in a womb) and getting to places is pretty easy – you can take a number of ferries from Poros, including a one-hour flying dolphin that takes you to Athens or a one-euro taxi boat that takes you from the island shore to the mainland.
See you again soon!
ευχαριστώ πολύ!
Thanks a lot Lucía, it was great having you here!