I sat down and waited, but as it got closer to my departure time and that train still hadn't left, I started to feel panic. I didn't know if this was my train getting ready to leave or if my train was delayed. I asked for help again and this time, the guy was like, hurry, hurry! Apparently that was my train. I boarded and 2 minutes later the train pulled out.
I arrived in Thessaloniki at 2am, where the missionaries, Bro and Sis Strictland (parents of the missionaries of the church in Athens), were waiting to pick me up. They took me back to their house and Sis. Strictland fixed me homemade potato soup and a sandwich. I told her it was late and she didn't have to, but she insisted and I'm glad she did, because it was delicious.
Saturday we woke up and headed to see the sights of the city and also head to Beroea (Bear-ee-ah) to see the tomb of King Philip. First stop, was the old wall that had surrounded the city of Thessaloniki. This is the wall where the Apostle Paul escaped down in a basket. He then headed to the city of Beroea to preach. Something tells me he didn't have the luxury of the highway that we had.
When we got to Beroea, we stopped to see the place where Paul had once preached. According to Bro. Strictland, when the Turks took control of Greece back in the day, they destroyed a lot of the churches or built their own churches over the top of them, so a lot of historic sites have either been destroyed or covered up. That said, we didn't actually get to see the church, but there was a monument set up in its place.
Then we headed to the tomb of King Philip. Anna, my director here, and recommended this place. Back in the day, they would burn the bodies of the people that had died and then put them in the tomb along with a lot of their possessions, especially cooking utensils and weapons. They believed that the only way for your soul to be free and to be able to use these items in the next life was to burn the body.
When the tombs were discovered, they found King Philip's bones in a gold box, along with his gold crown, gold and leather armour, his shield and a lot of other valuable items. There were three tombs at the site. King Philip's, one they believed to be one of his wives, Cleopatra (but not the Cleopatra of Egypt) and Alexander the Great's son. I tried to take pictures of the items, but I got yelled at, soooo?? I bought postcards instead... However, the tomb was very impressive.
After the tomb, we headed back to Thessaloniki to see some of the city and get something to eat. I've decided that I like northern Greece waaay better than Athens. I tried to take some pictures, but we were driving, so I'm sorry that they're a little blurry. It really is incredibly beautiful, the leaves were changing colors and the terrain is just gorgeous. The city seemed more easy going and trendy. I'm thinking our Athens offices should relocate...
We had dinner by the sea, which meant fish for dinner, which I agreed to be adventurous and try; however, I couldn't try the sardines Bro. Strictland ordered. That was too much for me. After dinner, we headed back to the Strictlands' to call it a night. The Strictlands live outside the city limits and they have a house on the upper level of the building, so they have a beautiful of the city and the sea. I took a couple pictures of the view from their balcony.
Sunday, we went to Greek church and Bro. Strictland asked me to stand and say a few words. (He was speaking in Greek and they were having someone translate for me.) So I said, "I'm glad to be here" and sat down. I think I kind of surprised him that I didn't say much more, but he said say a FEW words, sooo??
After church, they took me to a Greek restaurant where I had stuffed zucchini and green beans. Then they took me back to the train station, where once again, I had troubles getting on the right train. For the life of me, I can't figure out why Rosetta Stone taught me how to say, "The horse runs on the beach" but didn't teach me to say, "Is this train going to Athens?"
It was a great, relaxing weekend. Dad, the Strictlands are going back to the States today, they have a little bit more traveling to do, I think. You should see if they're coming near Onawa.
FYI, I have two weekends left in Athens, one in Rome, one in Gdansk and then I come home. Departure date from Gdansk is Dec 12, so in 2 days, you can start the countdown to my homecoming!
Miss you all and look forward to all those emails I SHOULD be getting...
I think you should have told us the story about the bathrooms... That would have been awesome!
ReplyDelete