May 22, 2019
Volos, Greece
It is still Greece. A word hodgepodge. Or maybe a happening hodgepodge.
Today was the longest distance day of this journey, around 75 kms. Around because I had backtrack some as the Greek Air Force guard with a big gun would not let me use the best road, just because it ran across the runway. What a little mind.
The last 2 days I have spent with a wonderful German woman cyclist I met while saying goodbye to Yannis, the owner of the bicycle rental store where we repaired my bike. Yannis and I had a couple of meals with and a lot conversation together as you read earlier. Elena has been cycling Greece for almost a month and is just a couple of weeks away from returning to Germany. We did not cycle together but met 2 nights for an evening together. Before you get some other impression her road boy friend Juan was also present.
A little note about Juan. He walked from Barcelona to Athens as the first part of his journey. He is planning to walk from Athens to Sidney across the China, Russia, you get the idea.
The first night we met at a closed camping ground. The second at a thermal bath town. The first I made the meal and she the salad. We enjoyed them at a table and chairs I barrowed from a nearby site. It is wonderful to have a table and chair for dinner.
As we identified the north star and the big dipper from the beach we toasted each other as 3 freak travelers while watching the true travelers. The second we prepared a joint meal in the city park where the thermal waters flowed into the sea.
After spending $8
for 2 nights camping and zero for a third I spent $30 for a hotel room in a spa hotel
with thermal baths. Last night I spent $30
also for a great small apartment right on the shore.
Tonight the same $30 for a small
room in an ok hotel.
Greece is not flat but today I did find a big
valley of almost all flat roads. The wind has been at my
back for the entire time in Greece, but I have always been
climbing. Today the wind was in my face. Not sure how to
explain that.
Big city tonight. Not my favorite thing.
Needed to get some gear from places only big cities have.
Did find a brewery. As I sit talking with you I am drinking
a “Strong Ale” from them. I am also watching from my
balcony, the sunset over the bay on a balmy evening.
Did not meet a soul of any consequence for me today.