Meteora and More

Arrived in Meteora

After leaving Mykonos (sadly) I spent another night in Athens, but a much better area than the first time I had arrived. This area allowed me to walk around at night a bit more freely. Then in the morning we took off for Meteora, a five hour bus ride away, in the town of Kalambaka.

Jump!!

Once I arrived in Meteora, meaning suspended in air, I was immediately astonished at the rock formations around the small town. The locals, expectedly, seemed completely unphased by them while I , in my wide eyed wonder, was amazed! At night the rocks that were by the hotel didn’t even look real. With the lights shining up on them they seemed like something from a movie set or some other artificial structure that would be at universal studios maybe. The first night we took a ride to the top of one of them and watched the thousands of stars twinkling above like lights on a Christmas tree, while looking on the little town far below. Then returned to the hotel (a cool family run place) and lounged with locals til the wee hours.

Taking in the View

Rocks at night

The next day we walked around and did some exploration of our own in the blistering heat of the midday (not so smart). We then went back up before sunset to get the view of the multicolored rays bouncing of the rocks and monasteries perched atop them. These were built in the 15th century, a total of 24 scattered around with 6 in use today. That place seemed so unreal, It sort of reminded me of the floating mountains in “Avatar”. After sunset we returned to the hotel and readied ourselves for dinner at a local restaurant, with three other girls we met that day. After dinner the owner’s son met back up with us in the garden area in front of the hotel, he brought his guitar and drinks and we all laughed, drank, danced and were merry. This is definitely my favourite part about traveling. Meeting and enjoying times with great people who become friends.

LaToya and I

Sitting on top of the world

Meteora at sunset

The next day, we left for our next spot, Thessaloniki, with only four or so hours of sleep under our belt. No worries, I trained well in Mykonos for this type of thing. Thessaloniki was really intended only as a stop over before leaving Greece and I had no real expectations for any type of fun there. Oh how I love to be proven wrong in such instances! Despite the little hiccup at the hotel (argh terrible ownership and place the Alexandria Hotel), the night ended remarkably. We went through some very questionable looking streets to find the social area of this town, with each corner looking shadier than its predecessor and then BOOM! You are surrounded by the cutest bars and lounges and restaurants a cool downtonish area, amazing! We selected one that seemed neat, the service was great and when we were ready to pay we were told that a shot at the bar was necessary first!

Learning Greek dances

Now this shot, lead into hours more of drinking and hanging with the bar staff. My kinda night! Oh did I mention they offered  me a job, but first I had to go through the interview process which was me downing a pitcher of alcohol in the form of multiple shots with the bartenders. The point where I ended up behind the bar making drinks (something I had never done in my life) I figured I passed! The night continued in this fashion until we had to leave, since we had another long (12hour) and early bus ride in the morning. They were not happy about this despite the fact it was now after 4 a.m. There you have it! I then left early the next day for where I am now…Istanbul.

Behind the bar!

Shots anyone?