Hotel Maxim Platamonas

... There are little trash cans next to all toilets (usually with biohazard-like trash bags) that you throw anything paper-related into. It’s interesting… Not to gross anyone out too much but just imagine the things you see and/or smell when you open those trash cans. I don’t think I’m a fan of their sewage system rules. In a little café I was in, there is a sign above the toilet that said, "The way we use our ...

... br>
Bin um kurz nach 20:00 gelandet, und um 23:50 dann mit dem Nachtzug weiter nach Sofia. 18,50Euro fuer die Strecke, habe aber noch fuer 10 Euro auf den Schlafwagen upgegraded, da der eine Waggon ziemlich voll war (und ich ausserdem doch recht muede war).

Gruss
Ralf

Day 16  Nothing else to do here; as sun is refusing to make an appearance, we decide to move on. Despite Bob & Dom's earlier expressed desire to visit Istanbul (which we had loosely thought we might do together), they decide to head south, to Athens. We feel there is much to explore in Greece, and opt to remain too. Not sure we want to go all the way to Athens at this point, so declare for Meteor and part company. En route, it starts to lash it down.. after ...

... And of course I told them about it and I probably scared most of them from it. I figured if they were asking about it, they probably weren't experienced climbers anyway. Who knows!

On my train home I ended sitting next to some cool Greek guy who spoke great English and we talked most of the way home. Which had I think 3 or 4 long delays along the way. Greek trains are the worst. At least there Metro in Athens is good. Thanks Olympics!

... and I have to leave our balcony doors open in order to feel any kind of cool air, but luckily it was open for another good reason today. When Jared and I met up, we immediately went over to his apartment building so that we will be able to find each other next time. Jared: So after I showed Megan around my extra small room (which consisted of walking three steps in and three steps out) we headed back to Megan's room to pick up some money and then head out for food ...

... What a wonderful feeling - being to enjoy the food and not wanting to throw up! It was terribly hot and humid out there too, thus we spent 1,5h drinking coffee at Starbucks nearby the White Tower. I mean, I was enjoying the aroma and taste of this magical beverage. For some reason Marcin does not drink coffee at all, which is a bit weird to me, considering the fact that he e.g. likes the smell of coffee (once we were walking nearby a café and M. said: "mmm, smells nice ...

... likely Asklepeion. The woman archaeologist overseeing the restoration of the amphitheatre told us that the School of Aristotle was closed but could be seen through a fence. So we drove on towards Naousa and stumbled upon it. Yes, the guardhouse was closed, but nothing kept us from going in. Or, as Karen summed it up, it was the most open closed site we've seen to date. Unlike the Cybernet Café in Edessa, it really is open 24 hours a day. I saw flood lights, too ...

... song appropriate to the pictures. I took out my camera and asked to record him before the pictures. He had no objection. It was beautiful. And there was a slight ringing echo enhancing the sound of his voice and seemed quite appropriate altogether. As we parted N.A. offered to assist me when I applied for my visa to become a "pilgrim" (perhaps) to Mount Athos. He also hinted at the possibility of a visit together. Neither N.A. or the other fellow knew where the Ataturk House was ...

... been restored and so was very nice inside. This is not the same building that Paul would have come to during his stay in Berea, but it is probably the same location since they were usually rebuilt right on top of the old spot. Inside on one wall there was a case or cabinet with double doors and a veil to cover the outside that was used to keep the precious scrolls. Right below were steps for the Rabbi to stand on while reading from them. There is ...

... a letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes about our treasures being put in these "earthly boxes." There was also an old bronze mirror that one would see "dimply though" (1 Cor. 13:12). Aha! One of my favorite biblically referenced displays was the phiale. These ritual bowls were used by priests to burn incense and collect the blood of sacrifices. It's also the term used by John in Revelation to describe the "bowls" of incense set out by the elders and the "bowls ...