Thessaloniki

Long time, no blog. I know. And i still have to blog about some of my Russian adventures and so on. Anyways.

Right now i am in Thessaloniki. Wonderful Greek city. I am here to do an ATHENS course, ain't that ironic. It has been almost four years (!) since my last visit in Greece, far too long. And this is my first time in Thessaloniki. Quite a nice place, next to the sea, with a wonderful promenade at the harbour.

I arrived friday afternoon. Took a walk through the city to get a first impression - sunny weather, nice buildings, usual hectic traffic like in all bigger Greek cities. And then at night i met up with some Greek friends to get to now the nightlife. Hehe. Greeks party until the wee hours in the morning. Literally, until they closed all the clubs. And then some. It was also interesting to see that no matter how full the club is, you don't immediatly pay your drinks. Only when you leave you talk to the barkeeper again to pay. Different system to what i am used to.

Saturday was the beginning of the course i am attending. Official opening at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. And then the cultural programme started. On Saturday we took a guided tour through the city, from the citadel down to the harbour, through the exhibition area, around the "White Tower" and so on. And we visited the Archeological Museum. If you know me long enough, you will know that this was a highlight for me =)

Speaking of highlights, Sunday was even better: we went a bit out of the city with a rented bus. To Vergina and Dion. Now, i have been to some quite impressive places in Greece, but this area was still unvisited by me so far. In Vergina they have found the unrobbed and unopened tomb of Philippos the Second. Almost sure it is him, THE Philipp II., the father of Alexander the Great. Wow. Including bones and all (not on display, the bones, being under constant restauration).
2300 years waiting there. Rediscovered 1977. Fascinating. Truly fascinating.

Other than that, not too much to tell right now. I am enjoying the course - it is related to my PhD and the professors are quite good, plus sympathetic like i know Greek - and Greek lifestyle.

Well, there is aspects that i don't like too much. For example the fact that they are smoking everywhere. Literally everywhere, in public, in private, indoor, outdoor, in the cafeteria, in every restaurant... you get the picture. Let's all trust EU to change that all over Europe ;-)

I've been to a club with only Greek music. And the Greeks who took us there really loved it, knowing all the lyrics and singing and so on. Hehe. They also took us to a nice restaurant to eat fish and seafood. Best octopus i ever had. Yummy. And Ouzo, of course. The good one, from Lesvos.

Once again, on the danger of repeating myself:
Life is good!