Week five: Time to Breathe and Regroup

Monday, 27th April 2026

After the intense and stressful end of last week, the fifth week in Crete felt completely different. It was clear from the beginning that this week would be more about recovery and reflection than about heavy work at MagicNet. Because of the car accident, we all needed some time to process what had happened, but at the same time, I still had to keep going to the shop.

On Monday, I was back at MagicNet for the first time since the accident. Not much dramatic happened technically. We mostly did some light organizing, moved a few cabinets around, and helped Prodromos clean up parts of the shop. It was a more relaxed, almost “maintenance‑style” day compared to the usual rush of repairs. Still, it felt good to be back in a familiar routine, even if it was calmer than usual.

After work, we returned to the house in Episkopi. The group spent the evening talking about the accident and how we were feeling. It was important to share thoughts, jokes, and worries with each other, and that helped loosen the tension a bit.

Tuesday, 28th April 2026

On Tuesday, I went back to MagicNet again. The day was a mix of small repairs and light organizational work. We opened a few notebooks to check for overheating, replaced a couple of RAM modules, and cleaned some very dusty systems. It was nothing overly complex, but it kept me involved and active.

One of the bigger “logistical” issues this week was the single available car. Since we only had one rental vehicle left after the accident, it was quite difficult to get everyone to work at the same time. Schedules had to be adjusted, and sometimes people had to work from home, coordinate with each other, or just accept delays. It was a good reminder of how much we had taken the second car for granted.

In the afternoon, Torben had brought new eSIMs for the group. The original 1‑month data plans were running out, and we all needed reliable internet for the rest of the internship. Each of us paid 15 euros for an extended plan with unlimited data volume. The price was very good, especially compared to what I’m used to in Germany. In a way, it felt like Greece had figured something out that Germany could take an example from.

Wednesday, 29th April 2026

Wednesday was another day at MagicNet. The work was again rather unspectacular, but still useful. We mainly did routine checks on older devices, cleaned fans, reinstalled operating systems, and helped Prodromos prepare some systems for customers. It was physically tiring in parts, but not mentally exhausting.

Although my girlfriend was not here yet, we spent a lot of time talking about plans and ideas. During breaks and in the evenings, we discussed how to use the time efficiently once she arrived. We wanted to make sure we had a mix of sightseeing, quiet time, and at least a few meaningful places to visit. These conversations helped give structure to the next few days, even though the weather was already looking a bit gloomy.

Thursday, 30th April 2026

Thursday started slowly and relaxed. I spent the morning mostly at the house in Episkopi, packing a few things and preparing for the change of routine. Since my girlfriend was arriving later in the day, I had to make sure everything was ready for our new setup.

In the afternoon, I went to a different car rental agency especially to pick up a new rental car. Marvin, Ali, and Torben were very kind and drove me there, since I didn’t have a car yet. After a short wait, I received a newer Peugeot 208. It felt very comfortable to drive and still smelled like a brand‑new car. The steering, the seats, and the way it handled the roads made driving in Heraklion feel much less stressful than before.

Right after getting the car, I had to drive directly to MagicNet. It was a bit unusual to be back at the shop during a week that was otherwise meant for rest. Not much was happening technically, though. We mostly moved some cabinets aside and did some small housekeeping in the shop. Later, we also helped clean and tidy the garage area, which was mainly about organizing loose cables and hardware. It was light work compared to the usual repairs, but it still filled the afternoon.

After work, I went to the airport to pick up my girlfriend. It was great to finally meet her in person after all the planning. From the airport, we drove together to the Airbnb in Heraklion that we had rented for the time she was here. The apartment was modern and clean, and it gave us a chance to have some real time for two away from the shared house and the group routine.

In the evening, we unpacked and just enjoyed the fact that we finally had some private space together. It was a calm and very positive start to her stay.

Friday, 1st May 2026

Friday was a special day because it was a holiday. We used the free day to drive to Kloster Preveli, a monastery and church complex that both of us had wanted to visit. We enjoy spending time in churches and religious sites, mainly because of the architecture and the peaceful atmosphere. The silence, the old stones, and the surrounding nature make places like that very special to us.

On the way there, we saw several peacocks walking around the area. Their feathers were bright and colorful, and it was very impressive to see them so close in a natural setting. Watching them move through the grass and occasionally spread their tails felt like a small bonus on top of the visit.

The monastery itself was beautiful and quiet. We walked around, took some photos, and just enjoyed the view over the landscape. It was one of those days where you don’t feel like you “have to do” something; it was enough to just be there and take it in.

After returning, we went out to eat. As we had done for most of the time she was here, we went to restaurants almost every day. The food was good, and the atmosphere was always relaxed. It felt good to focus on something simple and enjoyable instead of problems or stress.

Saturday, 2nd May 2026

Saturday, we explored Heraklion city center together. We wandered through the narrow streets, looked at the old buildings, and did a small shopping tour. It was nice to experience the city with her, pointing out things I had already seen and discovering new spots together.

The weather unfortunately didn’t cooperate very well this week. It was often cloudy and sometimes a bit colder than expected, which limited some of our plans. On top of that, my girlfriend arrived quite sick, which also made it harder to be very active. Still, we tried to make the best of it and stayed flexible with our plans.

Even when we couldn’t go out much, the apartment and the bed were very comfortable. It felt good to just lie next to someone I care about, instead of sleeping in a crowded house where space is limited. This routine change had a positive effect on my sleep and my overall well-being. It was nice to have a “safe bubble” for a few days.

Sunday, 3rd May 2026

On Sunday, my girlfriend’s stay came to an end. Around noon, we headed back to Heraklion airport, where she took her flight back home. Returning to the shared house in Episkopi felt a bit strange at first. The atmosphere was different again – more chaotic and louder than the calm, quiet apartment we had shared.

Even though the weather hadn’t been perfect and she had arrived sick, I was very happy about the time we spent together. It was a short but intense period, and I felt that we had used it efficiently. From the exploring in Heraklion and Preveli, to the many meals out and the simple evenings in our apartment, it felt like a real mini‑vacation inside the internship.

Back at the house, I took some time to unpack and slowly get back into the group routine. The mixture of relaxation, sightseeing, and private time made this week feel very special.

Summary and self‑reflection

Week 5 was completely different from the weeks before. If the first four weeks were about hard work at MagicNet, fast learning, and intense experiences, this week was about slowing down, recovering, and reconnecting – both with the group and with myself. The accident had shaken everyone, and this unexpected time off gave us the space to process it without pressure.

On a personal level, I noticed that I became more aware of my own stress thresholds and how important it is to allow time for rest. Simply doing nothing for a few days can have a surprisingly big effect on your mood and your ability to focus later on. The support from the others, the small improvements in the house, and the relaxed atmosphere made this week feel like a necessary pause rather than a lost week.

At the same time, the time with my girlfriend added a completely different layer to the experience. Even though she arrived sick and the weather didn’t cooperate, being able to spend private time with her, exploring the city and going to Preveli, greatly improved my mood and my sleep. It reminded me how important it is to have supportive people around, both in the group and in personal relationships.

Looking back, I can say that this “week off” was actually one of the most important parts of the internship so far. It showed me that professional growth is not only about technical skills at MagicNet, but also about resilience, communication, teamwork, and emotional balance in difficult situations. Now that I feel a bit more grounded, I’m ready to return to the shop and continue working there with a clearer head.