VIDEO: Six months in the Balkans in five minutes

Hello, friends and hobbits! Sorry I’ve been so MIA. My body seems to be rejecting any sort of readjustment to the real world lately and I’ve been spending my evenings binge watching Orange is the New Black. I’ve spent so much time on the couch that I’ve actually hurt my back. Never mind the potential carpal tunnel syndrome.

But I made a resolve to snap out of this week, and so far so good. I went to the gym, you guys. Baby steps! It’s also my birthday today, and 28 is far too old to be such an unmotivated slob. I have, like, dreams to achieve and books to write.

I wanted to share this video with you from my trip in the Balkans. I admit that I’ve been depressed since I’ve returned. It’s not that I don’t love St. John’s and everyone in it — my friends and family are the best people in the world, and I live for them. But I miss adventure and newness and the excitement of limitless possibility.

Anyway. Every single day while I was in the Balkans, I took 10-second video clips on my iPhone 5s. Daily life on the olive farm, sailing on a yacht, beaching it up in Ios. You name it.

Some of the clips are omitted (the original video was about 30 minutes, srsly), but I’m seriously proud of this five-minute montage. It’s nothing spectacular but when I watch it, it fills me with unspeakable joy. I can’t explain it. All this happened. I made it happen. It changed me.

Watch! Consider it your birthday gift to me.

July 09 2014

Sabina

Loved the video – your shots of Santorini are making my transition to the real world (=anywhere away from Santorini) much easier! I’ve tweeted this – definitely think you have many a reason to be proud of the video :)

I also wanted to tell you that I included a link to your post about Atlantis Books in my latest article about Santorini, which you can find here http://www.girlvsglobe.com/2014/07/10-reasons-why-you-should-visit-santorini-greece.html :)

- July 09 2014
  
  Sabina
  
  Oh, and your article about Ios. So much glory.
  
- July 11 2014
  
  Candice Walsh
  
  LOVED that article! And thank you! I miss Santorini. It was good to be there before peak-season, I think. Haha.
  
July 09 2014

dtravelsround

This is so well done, and makes me want to be there with you!! I understand how you feel now that you’re home. I had the same issue when I got back from Europe last month. So. Hard. I think we need a support group.

- July 11 2014
  
  Candice Walsh
  
  YAY! I find Europe so overwhelming sometimes. I mean, I have to get to Asia at some point, but how can I when there’s SO MUCH left to do in Europe?!
  
July 09 2014

Amanda Williams

Makes me want to go back to the Greek Islands NOW! Also, love the song.

- July 11 2014
  
  Candice Walsh
  
  Thanks! It’s Changes by Faul and Pnau. God I miss the islands. Especially Ios.
  
July 10 2014

Sara Hamil

1) HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 28 was a good year for me, so I hope it is for you too!

2) What a GREAT idea for a video! The Balkans look like an incredible and beautiful place :)

- July 11 2014
  
  Candice Walsh
  
  THANK YOU! Oh man, the Balkans were unexpectedly wonderful. I urge you to go!
  
July 14 2014

Marco Delgado

wow video! in august i will be living in Macedonia, so this first ‘vistazo’ of the Balkans is awesome! kudos

- July 14 2014
  
  Candice Walsh
  
  Thanks Marco! SO jealous you’re going to Macedonia…I didn’t get to go there, but I know so many people who love it
  
July 27 2014

Martina M.

Hi Candice!I accidentally found your blog while i was searching about travel, and love your travel reports, great idea for a video, too! I just wonder why u did not visit Serbia too, when u went in BIH,Croatia? U should next time, my recommendation :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDHpcAFSMr0&list=TL6BuYeimcm7G8JOnS1vd0F3LJCyQIz0vh

- July 31 2014
  
  Candice Walsh
  
  Thanks, Martina! To be honest, I simply just didn’t get a chance to visit Serbia. I had to make my way from Greece to Croatia to hop on a sailing trip, so the most convenient route was up through Albania and Montenegro. But I was so stunned by how amazing the Balkans are, that I realize now I desperately need to get back to see Serbia and its surrounding countries. It’s on the list!
  
December 20 2015

Alex B

I love this video! I keep wanting to make videos from my travels but never know what to do. This is such a cool idea. Reminds me of my magical six weeks in the Balkans :) Also just curious, did you spend any time in the colder seasons there or was it all spring and summer?

- December 23 2015
  
  Candice
  
  You’d be amaze how much footage you collect just by snapping 10 seconds a day! Hahaha. I had SO MUCH. I was in Greece from February to May, and then the Balkans until the beginning of July
  
February 04 2016

Rachel

Ok, this post is old, but still worth sharing! I loved your video. I’ve seen you visited many places in Greece, apart from the famous ones (Santorini, Mykonos). I hope you enjoyed your time in my country! :)

- February 09 2016
  
  Candice
  
  Thanks Rachel! :) One of the best journeys of my life! I miss Greece so much