Turkish Delight

Much like Zaytinya's interpretation of the famed treat that is a national treasure - Turkish Delight, many things in this world are often different in reality than in the imagination, or even first impression. I suppose that is part of the exhilaration of travel; it is a unique insight into alternative realities. This world is made up of so many cultures, traditions, and ideas about life in general, yet all are intertwined in a giant web of coexistence. The point is that despite all of the world's forces of language, religion, politics, and power - barriers to international harmony - we are all more alike than we are led to believe. It is this universal truth that I discover time and time again no matter where I go. Unfortunately, there is always the competing human force that is divide and conquer. It is blatantly clear that this is rampant in American politics, as well, no doubt throughout the world and throughout human history. It is pretty much everywhere. People will often use ignorance as an opportunity and fear as a tool. I do not pretend to offer a remedy, however you may care to settle for a simple insight - be not afraid; scratch the surface and don't settle for first impressions or someone else's version of the truth. You might find something really great.

Thessaloniki, Greece

Forced

I was so pleased to arrive in Thessaloniki to celebrate the finale of Birthmonth 2012 with one last something new - Country #20! I feel like I should have so much more than 20, however those pesky little countries like Mexico, Peru, Italy, and Spain kept pulling me back like a tractor beam. Well, sometimes you have to use Harrison Ford's definition of "the force", and just "force yourself." So, I got on ANOTHER airplane and went to a NEW country... Hello, Greece! Someone must have told them I was coming, because my first evening's walk landed me in Aristotelous Square where they had a symphony already set up for me outside, under the stars, with the sea as the backdrop! Not too shabby. Check out this line-up: Mozart, Rossini, Offenbach, Bach, Strauss, Pachelbel, Stravinsky, Vivaldi, and more. For the finale, they played a Star Wars medley! What a welcome!

Thessaloniki is in the far north, in the Macedonia region, not to be confused with the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia, which is just to the north. As I mentioned, we are on the coast, and the weather has been perfect. They keep claiming that the temperature is in the 20s, but I think their thermometers must have frozen in the wintertime or something. The people are quite friendly, which is something I'm told will change once I get to Athens. I believe my stomach is still on DC time, so I've mostly been eating at nighttime. I had the pleasure last night of dining with the Kapnos research team, and it was quite an experience. Speaking of food, I have to get back out there... So good!

Happy Labor Day!

Back to Barcelona... Again

I almost titled this entry "Missed Connections" and wrote personifying a fleeting and innocent encounter with a British plane that left us both with a sense of melancholy. Alas, she waited for me; we spent the night together and celebrated my birthday with cheap sparkling wine as midnight struck over Newfoundland. Then I closed my eyes until my morning sun danced over the clouds that hung like heaven over Ireland below. We parted in the morning without words, and I dashed to another.

Ahh, Barcelona! We meet again! It has been twelve years, but my little stint there at the Jaleo has educated me properly for this newest encounter. With just two days, I managed to see very little of the sights outside of La Rambla, but ate some wonderful comida. Tapas at Pinotxo in La Boquería were amazing; I had butifarra, pimientos del padrón, and croquetes de jamón. I also paid a visit to Chef Quim Marqués' Suquet de L'Almirall in the Barceloneta. Marqués is a master with rice and seafood, and I had worked with him on his visit to Washington in celebration of the annual Paella Festival a few years ago. I ate the delightful Arroz de la Barca, which was soupy and dark with cuttlefish, clams, shrimp, and mussels. Also quite good were DO. in Plaça Reial and a lucky Gracia neighborhood find - D.O (I just realized they almost have the same name). The latter had my favorite dish of the trip so far, which was a seared goat cheese "Formatge de cabra a la planxa amb puré de pinya". Yeah. In between stuffing my face with Catalan delights, I managed to take many photos, some in the rain, but the only ones I can upload for now are taken with my phone. Thank you, wifi.

Here is a quick shout-out to someone I met who is on an artistic journey from California. Her project is described here: www.kelealanicreative.wordpress.com

On to Greece!

Up In The Air

Where did we leave off? Ah, yes - the miracle of flight! It turns out that there are some miracles more miraculous than others. All journeys of any magnitude have their snags, or unintended diversions. It's fine; we'll just get that out of the way early to make way for smooth sailing.

Due to circumstances beyond my control (mostly), I am not currently in Barcelona, as predicted, but rather enjoying my friend Alison's couch in Manhattan. It happens. New York loves me and wants to keep me around. I get it. One could be forced into greater torment than an extra 22 hours in The Big Apple. Evidently, there is a Brooklyn winemaker with a tasting room open at 2:00pm and they are expecting me. Well, this is a working vacation.

Cross your fingers for me that my next post is from España. Por favor.

The Longest Ride

May this stay with you for always, and be a reminder of the risks you took, the dreams you achieved, the adventures you had, the people you met, the food you ate, the dance you danced, and the difference you make. Keep doing what you are doing - grow yourself. And make sure you go out and meet the world, because it really wants to meet you.

For whatever reason, I like to commemorate special days - probably more than the average person. Sentimental, I guess. Sue me. The journey of life is a long ride, and much of it is a solo excursion. I've been on several trips by myself, and a good part of what keeps me going are the unique unexpected turns that appear as if from heaven. Most of the time, these surprises are not newsworthy, and often you keep them to yourself, because certain moments just can't be replicated in tale... not to any great effect, anyway.

However, to neglect the discoveries made on the ride would be a crime. Every sentence of the book is a purposeful piece of the puzzle, and every scene of the movie is the result of meticulous editing. However, on a long ride, we cannot simply hold on to every detail. Our brains are trained to discard extraneous information, and we make it a point to hang on to what we deem necessary for survival. Much of what we encounter are duplicates or seemingly inconsequential. The discoveries are encounters that change our world in some way.

What I have always enjoyed about venturing out into the world is that the opportunity for discovery is limitless. Why would you challenge your way of thinking if you never heard your opposition? How can you truly comprehend the might of water and wind if you have never walked in the hurricane? How can you be satisfied with the ride if you have never taken the reins? How can you see what lights up the room if you don't open your eyes? All of these discoveries add to the journey and help complete who we are. So, the special ones? Yes, keep them as part of your story; the ride wouldn't be the same without them.

Dear Sam

One of my earliest memories is being carried on your shoulders, holding onto your face and feeling your whiskers. You were tall and strong and free. You taught me throughout my life that seeing the world is important. Travel should not necessarily be an escape - it is a journey. We do not leave the world or our lives behind, we seek them out. For, in travel, we lead an expedition to discover all the colors, flavors, sights, and sounds that can only be found at the other end of the horizon. There are people we have to meet, and there are mountains we have to climb. Away is not simply where we recharge; we charge.

Thank you for showing me this, and for inspiring me to make the world smaller and more wonderful every time I journey... But I guess, "va sin decir."

Watch my back, will ya?