Confused dog

I was just about to release the shutter with this happy dog in my window. The flattered fella, stopped briefly, posed, and then out of the blue came the photobomber. My model was really confused but nevertheless got an even better pose: "Who the heck are you man? We have a session here."

Following a good laugh for  me, the photobomber, and the owner - hopefully also for the model - we continued our stroll, happily ever after.

Ned in Krakow

...or nerds in Krakow?

Long time, no see!

We visited the Wawel castle in Krakow and Ned was with us. He didn't seem to enjoy a lot, as it reminded him more of the Capital rather than the North. Yet he wanted a picture.

Pity that the Dragon's Den was still not open - apparently the dragon is still in hibernation - but in May I am definitely visiting. 6 years already visiting Krakow, 2 years living here, and never been in the Dragon's place. Shame on me.

By the way winter is not coming in Krakow this year. What is going on?

Tegernsee

I had the good fortune to visit castle Ringeberg overlooking lake Tegernsee in Bavaria. The weather has been extremely kind to us. Two gorgeous "Indian Summer" days, with the nature around us being breathtaking!!

I don't know exactly what it is, but I find Bavaria a very welcoming place.
In a post to follow, I will give you some more info on the interesting history of the castle we stayed at.

Bis dann!

LA pier

With a lot of gratitude to the wonderful people in my life, I continue to travel around the globe.
Here, I present to you the Santa Monica pier in Los Angeles.

As I learned, Los Angeles is a city of 18 million people! Almost twice the population of Greece!

Fun fact about Los Angeles, even though they do have a metro, they also call "metro local" the bus service. When I expressed my sincere "WHY???" to a local he seemed a bit puzzled. It was not strange for him at all :)

L.A. is a mosaic of cultures and people with beautiful weather. I will definitely go back one day!

Time (to) travel

Quiz: where was I today around noon?


Cheers to my co-travellers of the World! Thank you for the refreshing weekend. Yes, it was raining all day long on Saturday, but no pun intended... :)

Gilles and Kostas, you were deeply missed and by no means forgotten. By public demand, you are hereby forced to attend the next meeting.

Looking forward to meeting you all very soon!!!

Lots of love,
Sotiria

Long time...

I walk past the field of the photograph twice per day, when going to work. I saw these plants grow from grass, to becoming almost as tall as myself. Now they have produced seeds and have d(r)ied.

Time flies, as they say. I have been in this part of the World already 4.5 months now. Strange place, interesting place.

I do miss you old friends...

Now jingle eggs, jingle eggs.

Good Friday in Krakow today.
Yet spring has totally forgotten to visit us.

Jet de l'eau

Finally! It started to feel a bit like spring in this neck of the woods.

Today, the magnificent Jet de l'eau was open. It is one the landmarks of Geneva, reaching 140m high.
I guess, it falls in the same category for some people (like me...) that in a picture is "meh.." but in person is jaw-dropping. I particularly like the fact that it is visible from various parts of the city, rising above the buildings. Well done Genevois, well done.

This fountain, has an interesting history that I welcome you read here.

Vitamin D, I missed you so!

Bonjour, Genève!

As many of you know, we both have changed locations. For many reasons, we are going to keep the name of the blog intact.

My journey continues in Geneva, Switzerland. Unfortunately, the weather did not allow for a better picture, but there you have it, a first impression of the city. I welcome you to have a look at the map. Geneva and many other cities are located around a gorgeous lake. The boat you see on the picture, is part of the public transportation system!

Fun facts about Switzerland, there are four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. In this area of the country, the most frequently spoken language is French, which means it is time for me to learn a new language... Fortunately for me, Geneva is a very international place with almost half of the population being immigrants. This of course means that the locals are used to dealing with foreigners. Many major international organizations are located here, including the United Nations, CERN, and the Red Cross.

It seems I am going to have a lot more impressions to share with you in the next months. Here's to new beginnings!

Auf Wiedersehen, München!

 

Time to go...

This city has given so much to me the last 3.5 years. 

I leave you with one of the landmarks, the Frauenkirche. Unfortunately one the towers has been under renovation during all my time here, so I do not have a pretty picture. But, if you have a keen eye, you might spot me in the picture!

From the bottom of my heart a huge Thank You to all my friends for the wonderful time we spent together! I hope meet again soon somewhere in the World!

Sotiria

MUC-now WAW-KRK

Late flight to Krakow tonight. Chopin airport is almost empty already and being cleaned for tomorrow's passengers.

Since many years, when I spotted the lights of an aircraft in the sky, I envied its passengers. Tonight, for the first time I envied the lights of the cars in a random bavarian suburb. I feel I'm growing older.

Nevertheless, this blog has several more airports to visit. And I still like it.

Next is GVA. Stay tuned!

The Apostles

It's one of those moments that I think that I live in a movie. And the kind of movie I like most.

This is the church of St. Peter and Paul in the Royal Street of Krakow, just close to the castle, however all the apostles are there preaching on the fence. I really have no idea who the guy in the statue is. I don't know whether he knocks on the door or protests or preaches or he has no connection to the church at all. But it doesn't really matter. Still an atmosphaeric evening

 There is a Foucault's pendulum installed in the church. I haven't visited yet. It's one of the things I want to do but I postpone for "next weekend".

Wieliczka - the myth

Once upon a time, hungarian princess Kinga was going to marry polish prince Boleslaw. She was a kind princess and wanted to make a gift to the polish people.

In those times, salt was more precious than silver and the kind princess decided to give to the polish people a salt mine. While still in her country, she dropped her engagement ring in a hungarian salt mine and then left for Poland.

Once in Poland she knew exactly where the polish people would find salt. The workers started digging and the first rock of salt they found had the kind Queen's engagement ring inside!

This is the story depicted by these salt statutes. The worker (on the right) presents Queen Kinga (on the left) with the first rock of salt they found. They are carved within the Wieliczka salt mine, south of Krakow. These and more statutes, were carved by mine workers on their free time. As we learned during the tour (highly recommended), the life of a salt mine worker wasn't always bad and the pay very was good.

More info and pictures to come!

cookie: licking the walls is permitted, but don't touch the statues!

Writen in stone

Education is a social good. It should be neither sold nor bought. So, in the area of the Jagellonian University in central Krakow you can find bookshelves on the walls.

Of course, sometimes knowledge might be very heavy! But our heroine, the mighty scholar, fears not! And here she is! Digging in stone for the next piece!

cookie: The Jagellonian University is the second oldest university north of the Alps.

cookie request: Does anybody know who is this kind couple who oversee the bookshelf?

Arizona art

We had a discussion about Arizona today, and it reminded me of the nice ~10 days I spent there a few months ago. This sunset was a beautiful goodbye from the mountain.

Coming up... I hear that Krakow is amazing this time of the year!

Many Thanks!

Done!
I have to say, it was the most enjoyable examination I ever had in my life.
A large part was due to my close friends who stood next to me during these three years and during the last hour of the defense.

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart! You are the best!

V for Victory

Congratulations for Sotiria's triumphant doctoral defence today!

Photo taken in Paris, on top the Arc de Triomphe, from where several great avenues originate.

Bridges II

This bridge has some seriously strong bases...
Have no fear crossing it!

Bridges

A bridge to pass, and then a mountain to conquer.

I am proud of you.

Ready to go.

A very rough  translation is following for our non-greek-speaking friends


Σε παλαιό συμφοιτητή
Κώστας Γ. Καρυωτάκης

Φίλε, η καρδιά μου τώρα σαν να εγέρασε
Τελείωσεν η ζωή μου της Αθήνας,
που όμοια γλυκά και με το γλέντι επέρασε
και με την πίκρα κάποτε της πείνας.

Δε θα 'ρθω πια στον τόπο που η πατρίδα μου
τον έδωκε το γιόρτασμα της νιότης,
παρά περαστικός, με την ελπίδα μου,
με τ' όνειρο που εσβήστη, ταξιδιώτης.

Προσκυνητής θα πάω κατά το σπίτι σου
και θα μου πουν δεν ξέρουν τι εγίνης.
Μ' άλλον μαζί θα ιδώ την Αφροδίτη σου
κι άλλοι το σπίτι θα 'χουν της Ειρήνης.

Θα πάω προς την ταβέρνα, το σαμιώτικο
που επίναμε για να ξαναζητήσω.
Θα λείπεις, το κρασί τους θα' ναι αλλιώτικο,
όμως εγώ θα πιω και θα μεθύσω.

Θ' ανέβω τραγουδώντας και τρεκλίζοντας
στο Ζάππειο που ετραβούσαμεν αντάμα.
Τριγύρω θα 'ναι ωραία πλατύς ο ορίζοντας,
και θα 'ναι το τραγούδι μου σαν κλάμα.


To an old classmate
Kostas G. Kariotakis

Friend, My heart is likely getting old
My life of Athens is over,
the one that equally sweet and in party passed
and sometimes with the bitterness of hunger.

I will not come again to the place that my home
gave it the celebration of youth,
but only passing by, with my hope,
with my dreams that vanished, as a traveller.

I will go as pilgrim to your house
and they will tell me they don't know what happened to you
I will see your Aphrodite with another man
and other will live in Eirini's house

I will go to the taverna, to ask
for the Samian wine we used to drink.
You will be missing, their wine will be different,
but I will drink until I get groggy.

I will walk singing and staggering
to Zapeio, where we used to go together.
Around the horizon will be beautifully wide
and my song will be heard like a cry