Day 28 Buses, Buses, and more Buses

April 16 - Bus Trip to Trikala

 

 The city of Trikala is built on the ancient city Trikka, which was founded around the 3rd millennium B.C. and took its name by the nymph Trikke, daughter of Asopus. The city was an important center in Antiquity as the birthplace and main residence of Asclepius. The city is mentioned in Homer's Iliad, as having participated in the Trojan War with thirty ships. In the Mycenean period, the city was the capital of a kingdom. 

Trikala Old Towne

 The reason we went to Trikala was to be near the famous Meteora - one of the largest and most important complexes of  Eastern Orthodox Monasteries in Greece.  Athina had told us of her friend in Trikala, so luckily he accepted us as his couch surfers at the last moment.  We were very happy he did as this was an amazing site to see.

The ancient site of Trikka

 We took so many buses to get there that we lost track.   It reminded us of the bus rides in Turkey where in one day we rode buses literally for 8 hours non-stop.  The bus drivers kept changing buses and helping us onto the next one, and we had no time even for a bathroom break.  It was crazy, but we made our destination. 

We stayed with Kostas and his family, the sweetest Greek family who owned a beautiful home that they had built 35 years previously.  Bill and KiKi were his parents and she didn't speak any English at all. It was fun trying to communicate.  

Bill & KiKi own the farm and have a beautiful garden!

Bill had a beautiful garden and farm area and was quite fluent in English.  We went with Kostas to town that night and because we hadn't eaten most of the day, found ourselves buying fast Greek food.  It was delicious, but 10:00 at night? 

Greek "Fast Food" - LONG line at 10 p.m.

Choose from these condiments

...and these meats

....and oila - the BEST kabob or doner (as they call them in Germany)

  

Eat your heart out, Tyler!!

We caught up with Kostas and his friends who invited us for drinks.  Everyone in Europe finds it difficult to belive that we don't drink alcohol or coffee or smoke.  It's almost a requirement with nearly every European to do all three. 

Kostas is in the middle - very nice guy!

 We were exhausted and found comfort with our own big bed in a beautiful room. 
(Darn - no picture of it).