Homeless.

I just finished a tour of the Acropolis. My hands are numb—and maybe so is my mind.

Now I’m sitting beneath the heaters of a cozy outdoor café, cradling a warm glass latte mug, trying to thaw from the inside out. I can’t help but wonder what the future holds.

It’s 2 a.m. back in Denver. In nine hours, I’ll officially be homeless. It’s just me and my camera now. No cats. No truck. No house.

Wandering atop the world with the Greek gods feels like the only—albeit imperfect—way to bridge my old life with the new. There were tears. There are tears now, welling in my eyes as I type this.

Happiness? Sadness? I’m not entirely sure. There’s something special in the air here. After the initial shock hit me—right as the sun broke through the clouds and warmed my face, the Acropolis and the Temple of Athena standing watch behind me—a strange sense of freedom followed. I reminded myself: this day is exactly what I’ve been chasing for so long.

No more chains. No more handcuffs. Just me and my camera.

My wardrobe got a bit of an upgrade over the past few days. As I wandered the streets of Athens, I picked up a few new pieces—meaning some older ones will have to go. Probably more than a few. I want, and need, to travel lighter. Though it likely won’t happen during today’s packing session for my flight back to the U.S. on Wednesday (April 9), my two bags still have room for the new additions. But once I begin the next leg of this journey, it’ll be back to my carry-on and camera bag. Lean. Focused.

Life is going to change. It has to change. I want it to change.

April 8th turned out to be a chaotic day. About 12:30p Greece officially announced its transport union was going on strike tomorrow. I had been aware of the pending strike earlier in the week but today’s announcement also included the airport being shut down tomorrow. I quickly rebooked a flight to leave Athens today and will now have an overnight in London, not wanting to chance not being able to get out on Thursday. I mad-dash packed and departed my hotel around 4p. A couple of hundred dollars in added expenses for an additional hotel night in London but peace of mind to make it to my next cruise in Miami on Friday. While boarding the flight I received the official text that my house sale had closed…

This stretch of the journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus have stunned me beyond expectation—thanks in no small part to the wit and friendship of Kiran, my tour guide and unofficial onboard comedian during our 10-night cruise on the Celebrity Infinity. We’ve got more sailings together this year, and I’m already looking forward to the reunions—with him and many more of you—as I continue to spin around the globe.

So, from the home of the gods to the reality of my own homelessness—over and out.

—Cole

There will be more pictures to post but for today, this will have to do.