This past week I spent part of my Easter break in Thessaloniki, Greece, which is the first time I have ever visited the country. Thessaloniki was built along the coast with a major port that receives freighter ships through the Gibraltar strait near Spain and the Suez Canal in Egypt. Greece and Turkey both rely on the Aegean Sea for escaping the heat of the cities during the summer on the beach and the economic importance of ocean-faring ships coming to the ports for trade. Protecting the health of the wildlife living in the sea is an important part of protecting the way of life for both countries.
I experienced the Aegean Sea on the boardwalk of Thessaloniki. The water was a dark blue with choppy waves as there was a storm approaching. You could also see the large freighters sailing into the seaport next to the city.
Walking by the sea had a profound effect on me because it was my first time ever seeing the historic area in person after I spent years studying classical history. The Aegean Sea was the center of the ancient Greek world as Homer's Odyssey depicted Odysseus sailing through treacherous creatures on his voyage home.
