Europe's [not so] Secret Vice: Part 2

To be honest, I've been dreading this post. As big as the problem of sexual exploitation was in the two transit countries I visited, they have been my favorite destinations so far. It is a strange tension to live in - loving a country and wanting to go back, while all the while being aware of the hidden pain that so many women and children experience within its borders. And yet, that is no reason to refuse awareness. This tension is a part of life. It is the same tension that allows me to find joy in each day, even when I am hearing horrible stories of exploitation. I'm grateful for the tension

Anyway, on to the real subject of this post - the transit countries of my travels: Italy and Greece.

Country Overview: Greece

This picture so perfectly embodies Greece - particularly Athens - to me. I never expected it to be such a huge, contemporary city. However, the remnants of streets, temples, and libraries that used to bustle with ancient activity rise even further above the modern apartments and office spaces. Though my time in Greece was extremely short, I learned so much through the people I met and the organizations I worked with