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Abstract

We were thrilled to learn that we could, and even happier when the ticket agent told us that the bus would take us all the way to our destination city, Varna. <b>The latter promise would turn out to not entirely be the case, but that ended up being the least of our problems.</b></p><p id="a869" type="7">We purchased a ticket for the following day and made plans to head out.</p><p id="9f75">Thankfully I felt okay the day we left and the overnight trip was going as well as could be until we reached the Bulgaria border at 5:00 am. Weary and exhausted, we were a bit surprised and taken aback when we were denied entry into Bulgaria because of a visa rule that we didn’t know about. I won’t write more about that here but will link the series of three articles that explains the chain of events that unfolded.</p><div id="4df1" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/denied-at-the-bulgarian-border-like-a-couple-of-travel-amateurs-daca40730f03"> <div> <div> <h2>Denied At the Bulgarian Border Like a Couple Of Travel Amateurs</h2> <div><h3>A warning to others that travel long-term in this part of the world.</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*GvX8gxPHhgnAG9IZ)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="b904" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/making-fast-moves-from-the-bulgarian-border-to-the-greek-border-part-one-1f67e2d82f6c"> <div> <div> <h2>Making Fast Moves From the Bulgarian Border to the Greek Border</h2> <div><h3>This may have been our worst travel day yet.</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*4bnzSNPT4P1buIEc)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="dc91" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/stranded-at-the-greek-border-52cd4eb8ab27"> <div> <div> <h2>Stranded At the Greek Border</h2> <div><h3>While trying to find a ‘helper’</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*K7dt4RcarbVE8U65)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="5158">Let’s just say that it was a very hectic and expensive few hours and certainly one of the worst 24 hours of travel that we have experienced in the past 5 years.</p><p id="74d8">It seemed that despite our deciding to not go to Greece, the Universe had made other plans and seemed to want us there.</p><p id="8220" type="7">So, here we are, currently situated at Thessaloniki in Northern Greece.</p><p id="04ad">It took us a few days to feel normal again after feeling like we had been thrown up into the air and all of our parts scattered about. We didn’t really know where to go or what to do, since we had had our hearts set on going back to Bulgaria. So it took a few days to find our bearings.</p><figure id="f7db"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*35tHuMVd7A8wJGGZRapAaw.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="9060"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*rV9shc1HUPT3RMmafFTDDg.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="df8e"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*J7QrnclfK_8jMmVdy0oqPw.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="a556"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*fR7i53GSg_2Po4Tin_b85Q.jpeg"><figcaption>The Thessaloniki waterfront and the White Tower. The old city walls still mostly wrap their way around it. Photo Credits: Author</figcaption></figure><p id="548b">As soon as we finally felt ready to head off to Albania, having plans to leave on Wednesday evening, the owner of the hostel where we were staying started talking to us about our painting and artwork that we do. One thing led to the other and he showed us a room that he has been renovating that needs painting. We talked about a few different ideas as he wants to make it a bit of a theme room.</p><p id="8b87">“So when will you come back here?” He asked because he knew that our plans were to head to Albania that evening.</p><p id="6638">“We don’t know, we don’t have any plans. We can stay here and paint now if you want.” I told him seeing as we hadn’t even purchased a bus ticket yet.</p><p id="723c" type="7">And that was that. We made an agreement and he went to purchase paint and supplies that afternoon.</p><p id="0f41">We have really been enjoying exploring around Thessaloniki. Of course, this area is rife with history and the ruins of ancient times are scattered around all corners of the city. Our neighborhood is in the old part of the city, and we take great joy in wandering the adorable narrow streets that snake back and forth across the hillside.</p><figure id="1adf"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*

Options

OmI--BjnQJm2zP1Dr-zJ0w.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="d8ce"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*mspzpTp6ZJM-C0RTohwDjg.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="6706"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*2r-_bLwPAxWs2J4zA_XBjQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Old ruins amongst new and colorful construction. Buildings are stacked up the hillsides. Photo Credits: Author</figcaption></figure><p id="b315">Plus, our balcony from our room looks west and each evening we get to bear witness to stunning sunsets over the Aegean Sea.</p><figure id="0a32"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*IVRYLxRuD3b5CG0WASHX5A.jpeg"><figcaption>Beautiful firey skies from our balcony each night. Photo Credit: Author</figcaption></figure><p id="5997">On one hand, I regret that we didn’t just stick with our plans to go to Crete, but on the other hand, I can’t help but feel like someway, somehow, we were meant to come here to Thessaloniki. As usual, we have had no option but to just roll with the punches and let ourselves be pushed to wherever we are supposed to be. It is at times like these that we surely don’t feel like we are in control of our destinies and that we simply must just go where we are directed.</p><p id="f73d" type="7">We don’t know exactly how long we will be here, but when the time is right to move on, I am sure we will know.</p><p id="5a90">Thanks to those of you who continue to follow us on our journey. Stay tuned for next week's update which will share our new and exciting painting project!</p><p id="a1f9">Hope you have all had a great couple of weeks.</p><p id="6c21">xo Jill and Chris</p><p id="cfae"><b><i>Stories written in the past 2 weeks (other than the three that are linked above):</i></b></p><p id="8939"><a href="https://readmedium.com/its-my-one-year-anniversary-on-medium-fff93f7c0e51">It’s My One Year Anniversary On Medium</a></p><p id="13b8"><a href="https://readmedium.com/i-will-never-tire-of-the-diversity-of-our-planet-fe83499b7175">I Will Never Tire Of the Diversity Of Our Planet</a></p><p id="4dfc"><a href="https://readmedium.com/am-i-living-through-a-mid-life-crisis-600c763a785a">Am I Living Through a Mid-Life Crisis?</a></p><p id="1041"><b><i>I’m tagging those who have requested to be tagged in my weekly wrap-ups. If you would like to be tagged, please let me know and I will add you to the list.</i></b></p><p id="efef"><a href="undefined">Robert</a> | <a href="undefined">Louise</a> | <a href="undefined">Adrienne</a> | <a href="undefined">Kim</a> | <a href="undefined">Mia</a> | <a href="undefined">Michele</a> | <a href="undefined">Ivy</a> | <a href="undefined">Erika</a> | <a href="undefined">Anne</a> | <a href="undefined">Sandra</a> | <a href="undefined">Julie</a> | <a href="undefined">Bruce</a></p><p id="411e"><b>I write a wrap-up each week on my personal publication <a href="https://medium.com/artistic-voyages-news">Artistic Voyages News</a>. To see all of my weekly wrap-ups:</b></p><div id="4087" class="link-block"> <a href="https://artisticvoyages.medium.com/list/3e53a5fed9f0"> <div> <div> <h2>Weekly Wrap-Ups - My Weeks In Photos</h2> <div><h3>I joined the Weeds and Wildflowers publication prompt "My Week In Photos" in March 2022. Later in the year, I decided…</h3></div> <div><p>artisticvoyages.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*16a8bb99ed7fb70b683c12d1a36ad5792edf5edf.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><figure id="6038"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*IDlDKuxoG0gmCX-cVp-Utw.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><div id="7ee7" class="link-block"> <a href="https://artisticvoyages.medium.com/trying-to-find-out-who-i-am-2df933941fff"> <div> <div> <h2>Trying to Find Out Who I Am?</h2> <div><h3>You are in the right place.</h3></div> <div><p>artisticvoyages.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*TI3uoe0kHwRUaEK1YN6x_A.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="c413"><b><i>If you like my writing and want to read more, subscribe to Medium through my <a href="https://artisticvoyages.medium.com/membership">referral link</a> (I will earn a small commission) to get full access! Plus sign up <a href="https://artisticvoyages.medium.com/subscribe">here</a> to get my articles by email!</i></b></p><p id="14f7"><i>We have been nomadic since 2017! Join our journey by hitting the links below!</i></p><p id="875c"><a href="http://www.artisticvoyages.com/">Website</a> | <a href="http://www.instagram.com/artisticvoyages">Instagram</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/artisticvoyages">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianamatt/">LinkedIn</a>| <a href="http://www.patreon.com/artisticvoyages">Patreon</a>|<a href="http://www.youtube.com/c/artisticvoyages"> YouTube</a> | <a href="http://www.medium.com/@artisticvoyages">Medium</a></p></article></body>

TRAVEL | WEEKLY WRAP UP

Two Weeks Of Feeling Discombobulated

My Week in Photos — Week 46 & 47 — January 26–February 8, 2023

The Rotunda of Thessaloniki, Greece. Built during the early 300’s AD. Photo Credit: Author

Wow, these past two weeks feel like an awful lot happened, but it also feels like not much happened at all. On one hand, it feels like the weeks went by quickly, on the other hand, it feels like it’s been a month.

My last update had us leaving Fethiye and heading to Izmir where we would be staying with Chris’ distant cousin, whom he had never met. I was feeling marginally better and hoped that my terrible cold was on the mend. However, this turned out not to be the case.

The bus from Fethiye was mostly empty to start. Photo Credits: Author

We arrived on Friday, January 27th late in the day and it was pouring rain at the Izmir Otogar (bus terminal) so our plans to ride the public transit were thwarted. After the 8-hour journey, we really didn’t want to stand outside in the rain to catch the bus. Not to mention the wheels of our heaviest suitcase have been slowly disintegrating, and moving it around is a real pain in the ass. So we opted to pay the money for a taxi ride instead.

Some incredible rock formations that we saw out our bus window en route to Izmir. Photo Credit: Author

It definitely turned out to be the best decision as it was raining heavily throughout the entire drive.

Chris’ cousin is an art teacher in Izmir which meant that she had the weekend off. This also meant that she was available to drive us around to some of the nearby towns and villages for some sightseeing. We really enjoyed hanging out with them and are very appreciative of their warm hospitality.

This area of Turkey feels a lot like Greece. It’s no surprise since the Greeks used to inhabit these shores before they were pushed away to the islands that are nearby.

Yes, you can almost throw a stone at Greece it is so close.

We had a lovely couple of days with them and were so grateful for this opportunity to see the area. We also had plans in the week to visit Ephesus and see some other sights, but as my cold progressed, and the temperatures dropped outside, we decided that sticking close to home and staying warm was a better idea.

As it was, we could only walk about 30 minutes from our house before I felt exhausted and weak, wanting to return to rest. So we really didn’t get much else accomplished for the 6 days that we spent with them.

Visiting the communities of Cesme and Urla. Photo Credits: Author

On February 4th, sick or not, our Turkish visas were expiring so we knew that we had to move on and leave Turkey by then. Originally we had decided to go to Crete, I even wrote about it here. But after doing some research into the ferries, we decided that the trip there would be too expensive and too long. 2 overnight ferries didn’t appeal to us especially when we wouldn’t have been able to afford the cabins.

So we made the decision to go back to Bulgaria instead. We traveled to the Izmir Otogar on February 1st to inquire about purchasing a bus ticket directly to Bulgaria. We were thrilled to learn that we could, and even happier when the ticket agent told us that the bus would take us all the way to our destination city, Varna. The latter promise would turn out to not entirely be the case, but that ended up being the least of our problems.

We purchased a ticket for the following day and made plans to head out.

Thankfully I felt okay the day we left and the overnight trip was going as well as could be until we reached the Bulgaria border at 5:00 am. Weary and exhausted, we were a bit surprised and taken aback when we were denied entry into Bulgaria because of a visa rule that we didn’t know about. I won’t write more about that here but will link the series of three articles that explains the chain of events that unfolded.

Denied At the Bulgarian Border Like a Couple Of Travel Amateurs

A warning to others that travel long-term in this part of the world.

medium.com

Making Fast Moves From the Bulgarian Border to the Greek Border

This may have been our worst travel day yet.

medium.com

Stranded At the Greek Border

While trying to find a ‘helper’

medium.com

Let’s just say that it was a very hectic and expensive few hours and certainly one of the worst 24 hours of travel that we have experienced in the past 5 years.

It seemed that despite our deciding to not go to Greece, the Universe had made other plans and seemed to want us there.

So, here we are, currently situated at Thessaloniki in Northern Greece.

It took us a few days to feel normal again after feeling like we had been thrown up into the air and all of our parts scattered about. We didn’t really know where to go or what to do, since we had had our hearts set on going back to Bulgaria. So it took a few days to find our bearings.

The Thessaloniki waterfront and the White Tower. The old city walls still mostly wrap their way around it. Photo Credits: Author

As soon as we finally felt ready to head off to Albania, having plans to leave on Wednesday evening, the owner of the hostel where we were staying started talking to us about our painting and artwork that we do. One thing led to the other and he showed us a room that he has been renovating that needs painting. We talked about a few different ideas as he wants to make it a bit of a theme room.

“So when will you come back here?” He asked because he knew that our plans were to head to Albania that evening.

“We don’t know, we don’t have any plans. We can stay here and paint now if you want.” I told him seeing as we hadn’t even purchased a bus ticket yet.

And that was that. We made an agreement and he went to purchase paint and supplies that afternoon.

We have really been enjoying exploring around Thessaloniki. Of course, this area is rife with history and the ruins of ancient times are scattered around all corners of the city. Our neighborhood is in the old part of the city, and we take great joy in wandering the adorable narrow streets that snake back and forth across the hillside.

Old ruins amongst new and colorful construction. Buildings are stacked up the hillsides. Photo Credits: Author

Plus, our balcony from our room looks west and each evening we get to bear witness to stunning sunsets over the Aegean Sea.

Beautiful firey skies from our balcony each night. Photo Credit: Author

On one hand, I regret that we didn’t just stick with our plans to go to Crete, but on the other hand, I can’t help but feel like someway, somehow, we were meant to come here to Thessaloniki. As usual, we have had no option but to just roll with the punches and let ourselves be pushed to wherever we are supposed to be. It is at times like these that we surely don’t feel like we are in control of our destinies and that we simply must just go where we are directed.

We don’t know exactly how long we will be here, but when the time is right to move on, I am sure we will know.

Thanks to those of you who continue to follow us on our journey. Stay tuned for next week's update which will share our new and exciting painting project!

Hope you have all had a great couple of weeks.

xo Jill and Chris

Stories written in the past 2 weeks (other than the three that are linked above):

It’s My One Year Anniversary On Medium

I Will Never Tire Of the Diversity Of Our Planet

Am I Living Through a Mid-Life Crisis?

I’m tagging those who have requested to be tagged in my weekly wrap-ups. If you would like to be tagged, please let me know and I will add you to the list.

I write a wrap-up each week on my personal publication Artistic Voyages News. To see all of my weekly wrap-ups:

Weekly Wrap-Ups - My Weeks In Photos

I joined the Weeds and Wildflowers publication prompt "My Week In Photos" in March 2022. Later in the year, I decided…

artisticvoyages.medium.com

Trying to Find Out Who I Am?

You are in the right place.

artisticvoyages.medium.com

If you like my writing and want to read more, subscribe to Medium through my referral link (I will earn a small commission) to get full access! Plus sign up here to get my articles by email!

We have been nomadic since 2017! Join our journey by hitting the links below!