Our day started the same way many of them did, with a long bus ride ahead of us. This time, we were leaving Itea and making our way to Kalambaka. Kalambaka is the town at the foot of Meteora, a breathtaking site where centuries-old Eastern Orthodox monasteries sit atop towering sandstone cliffs, creating a unique landscape that looks almost surreal. The name ‘Meteora” also literally means “suspended in the air”, a fitting description for monasteries that are floating above the valley below. After arriving in Kalambaka, we enjoyed lunch together before being given an hour and a half to explore. No matter where I looked, the towering rock formations of Meteora seemed to rise above the rooftops, making it impossible not to get excited for tomorrow, when we finally visit the monasteries. Even though I was too full to get gelato and didn’t feel like purchasing anything, I really enjoyed just wandering around in Kalambaka. The great thing about travelling to another country is that even the places locals consider ordinary are interesting to explore. The streets were lined with traditional Greek buildings, many featuring red-tiled roofs, and front yards with flowers pouring out of them. Whether it was a friendly stray cat or another souvenir store with handmade keepsakes, it seemed like I was greeted with something new every time I turned the corner. On the bus back, Eleni gave us a preview of the next day’s itinerary and prepared us for our visit to the monasteries of Meteora. Since the monasteries are active places of worship, there was a dress code to follow. The girls were required to wear knee-length skirts and cover their shoulders and boys had to wear long pants and shirts with sleeves as a sign of respect for the religious site. Before long, we arrived at the Amalia Hotel in Kalambaka and checked in for the evening. With some free time before dinner, we relaxed by the pool and settled into our rooms after another full day of traveling and sightseeing. We later gathered for a buffet dinner at the hotel, ending the day excited for our visit to Meteora the following morning.