Welcome to the Island of Lesvos

The buzz of Athens quickly transformed into an air of peace as we entered the airport - a rare occurrence, as the airport is usually a source of stress, radiation, yelling voices, and a sweaty back. We walked up the to the counter of Aegean Air and were greeted with a large smile. Perhaps it was the bright red sweatshirt or the red "GUARD" buoy I was carrying that gave us away as volunteers. The woman working a the desk said, "My mother lives on Lesvos. No one is helping - except the volunteers." She then offered to check our extra baggage for free so we did not have to carry it - this never happens.

Anais and I skirted through the crowds, finishing our last bits of water before entering the dreaded x-ray machines. We shared a smile, as this has become a regular event in our relationship, and then began stripping down - making sure to remove the copious amounts of malas, karas, rings and precious stones. "Sir, can you open you fanny pack - it seems you have a 'Swiss Knife' in there." Ahhhiiyyaaa! Not another knife lost! I calmly grabbed my guard buoy, put my head down and waited for the awful news. Wait, this is new - she is calling her supervisor, he is measuring the knife. It seems he is trying to make it seem shorter than it really is. He hands it back to me and says, "Don't bring it on a plan again." Thankfully, I put my knife back in my fanny. I have officially discovered my new favorite traveling wardrobe!

As we approach the gate, we begin to see many folks wearing medical gear or group tags. It is clear that our flight will be full of volunteers. On the plane, I look a few rows ahead and spot a Greek lifeguard from Lifeguard Hellas I have been in contact with for the past few months - synchronicities are unfolding. As the plane takes off my mind wonders to Sounio, the Temple of Posiedon; where Anais and I paid our respects to the day prior - offering wine, prayer, song and dance to Poseidon. Deep in my heart, the blue god of the Sea lives - in this journey I will call upon him for strength, protection, and courage. Wahe Guru Poseidon!

We pick up our bags and rental car from a local guy - receiving an incredible debriefing of the current situation on the island. As Syrian refugees continue to flood in, other migrants are sneaking in using the Syrian flow as disguise. This is making things complicated on the island, as the government is forced to sift through the people, while deporting some back to their country and allowing others to continue to pass. It also has brought a large amount of poverty along with it; therefore, requiring additional aid from the common man. The sea conditions are rough today, and many boats are not able to cross.

I imagined the streets would be swarming with refugees. As we drove from Mytilene (southern part of the Lesvos), up through the heart of the island, we did not see one refugee. Perhaps I was distracted by the snow capped mountains and white capped ocean: imagining my immediate future swimming in these waters. We arrived as the sun was setting in Molivos where we will be stationed for now. Again, synchronicity brought us here.

A few months ago, I was put in contact with a local man, Thom. I spoke briefly with him about gear needs and logistics of helping in Lesvos, nothing further. About a week ago I saw Thom post a new project, labeled "The Hope Center" - an old hotel that will be transformed into a welcome home for refugees coming straight out of the water. A place for them to warm up, eat & drink, dry off, rest, and receive supplies. This project seems perfect for Anais and I, as I can help receive refugees from the water and bring them to the Hope Center.

I contacted Thom after reading about the new project, and he replied, "You can stay at my guest house." Here we have arrived - right on schedule and with our new friend and guide. Thom brought us to the Hope Center where we connected with a team of wonderful individuals. Purple hair Tracy gave us the grad tour, smiling the whole way. She has been here since July and clearly knows the ropes. The vision of the Hope Center is incredibly inspiring - an old hotel transformed! Hot showers, toilets, beds, sleeping bags, fire place, hot tea, and joyful spirits!

Tracy introduced me to Cookie from the UK. Cookie has the vision - and she gave us the download. She did not hesitate to take out her laminated maps and explain the areas where the refugees arrive - roughly a 25 km coastline. Most refugees take between 1.5 - 2.5 hours on the makeshift boats, sometime squeezing a few hundred on a small boat. Lifeguards and medics are stationed across the coast to receive the incoming boats - although they must first make it out of Turkish waters.

Apparently, some refugees come with black eyes, or busted knee caps as the Turkish police take a fancy for beating up fleeing refugees. Some even go to the extreme of cutting fuel lines on the boats or compromising the journey in another way. In the middle of the ocean channel, there is an imaginary line. One side is Turkish water, and the other is Greek. We are not allowed to cross that imaginary line and help refugees. This is the problem the few lifeguards made last week. They crossed the boundary and "smuggled" in refugees. Since then, bureaucracy has tightened up here in Lesvos.

In certain areas, volunteers have set up thermal imagining and connected it to an "app." Those who have access to the "app" will be able to see the whereabouts of incoming vessels and take the appropriate steps to receiving them. A system of patrolling the coasts 24/7 has also been put in place. People are connected through cyber space, and the risk of casualties has been minimized, for now!

The next two moths are supposed to be the coldest, with the roughest waters. We saw a bit of snow today with high winds. The Hope center is hoping (!) to be up and running as soon as possible. A goal is to raise funds to purchase sleeping bags for the refugees, so they don't freeze when they leave our hospitality. We are also hoping to acquire relaxing teas, herbs, and energy boosting foods to help them from the initial trauma.

If you wish to support this journey, you can donate on the "Sat Nam Foundation" website: http://satnamfoundation.org/index.php/campaign/lesbos/ , or if you would like to purchase specific gear for refugees, etc. you can contact me directly at mdenicola9@gmail.com.

Tomorrow we will head back to the Hope center in the morning, where I will be meeting with Lifeguard Hellas and see where I can be of most service! Wahe Guru! Prayers and Light! Love and Gratitude!