This is another photo from my quick trip to Greece. I took this on the island of Ios. I made this trip alone for my friend Debra’s wedding on Santorini. I had a few more days to explore after the wedding so I took a ferry to this little island. It was here that I realized I was tired of traveling alone. This brings to mind that famous quote from Into the Wild, “Happiness is only real when shared.” This quote has often come to my mind in various situations and, while I don’t totally agree with this quote exactly, for I have had some very happy times alone, there is truth in it. Maybe for me the quote would go something like “Happiness is BEST when shared.”

After years of travel and more than twenty countries experienced on solo missions, this quote began to take shape in my experiences more and more. Here I was on top of this beautiful hill, with this quaint little chapel, and the sun slowly setting over the majestic greek isles in the great blue Mediterranean, and I had no one to share it with. Solo travel is so good for the soul, but it’s not something that needs to be done forever. At least not for me. For me, I reached the top of this hill, and then I flew back home toward my real happiness, waiting for me in Congo.

Magic 95/365, When Shared, Ios, Greece, July 6, 2015