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A few hours longer and notification we are at the stop.
“This Has Potential” upside-down? Someone’s idea of a joke…?
This dog is not dead.
A short nap is interrupted by sudden bustle and noise –
the room fills youthful international travelers,
Americans, Canadians, Turks…
The bar next door opens up,
we acquire some pints and become friendly with a pair of Brits
curious of where we got the beers.
Our knight and his chariot.
Greek and Turkish relations in recent history have been very strained,
hence this beautiful boarder is laced with explosive mines.
A Greek Orthodox devotional shrine passed on the road.
Our guide stops to make an offering.
After a joltingly wild ride, we arrive at
Theo’s home in Petrades.
Cranes nesting above a nearby rooftop.
Feeling fine after a shower and some relaxation in the country.
A tour of the town and mini mart, we are introduced to the town’s inhabitants.
After dark as we walk, we pass the centerpiece of Petrades,
the Kirchturm von Petrades with clocktower.
Having a drink and getting some info before heading back to the house.
Impromptu party for us!
Amstel beer and strange conversation soon attract many of Theo’s “nephews.”
The young, hip Greeks and Germans who speak English
all come to Theo’s home to meet the the strange Americans.
Bob Marley t-shirt in Greece! One love!
A proverb that was shared:
Only the mountains
Cannot be together
That when Muhammad
Does not come to the mountain…
Excellent people, they provided friendship, fun, great intelligent conversation,
suggestions for authors to read and films to watch,
and even a wild car ride through the dark, narrow roads
bumping tasty electronica beats en route to an ATM in town
and the cash needed to purchase new tickets to Istanbul that night.
Nearing our 2am departure time,
we all caravan back down to the train station at Pythio.
Gold shoes! Fastest man in the world!
Our new friends speak with the ticketing agents to ensure we won’t miss the next train.
On the platform, purchased earlier in the day just before missing our last train,
we split a pistola of Ouzo among the group.
The guys were quite impressed when we showed them
our “They Were Tasty” drawing on the waiting room table,
so, to fill time until the train arrived,
Uncle Theo gets a Bic ink “tattoo.”
The ticketing agent even came out to our platform party
to see a masterpiece made in ballpoint pen.
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