Last Day

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This is going to be a summary update generating the remaining episodes of my European adventure. From Italy I've jumped on the ship to Patra (Greece) and then cought a stop to Athens. Honestly the ancient monuments were not much different than thous I found in Italy. Greeks most likely had a better sense of aesthetics. Roman constructions represented imperial power. This can also be projected on the social picture. Greeks opposed to Italians are more reserved to visitors. Their historical background sets them higher culturally and is deeply rooted in their soul. Moreover every region and every island has a different micro atmosphere. Crete for instance is the most distant island from the mainland (~8h w/ferry). Its population uses a different dialect. Physically Cretans are darker on the skin, men grow a mustache, and it seems like the folklore lives in every hart. The capital city is Iraclion. Nearby is a castle in Knossos that remembers the Minoan epoch (5700 B.C.). Legend says there was a royal son (half human half torus - Minotaur) that was kept in the labyrinth. The king father of the Minotaur ordered Tezeus (Greek hero) to kill the beast, which was demanding ever more pry.
From Greece I moved on north towards Macedonia. Made a lot of miles "a piechki" (a foot) since the public transportation in this part of the world is slightly underdeveloped. Chased by dogs herd in Northern Greece I finally got to Ohrid, a beautiful city by the lake the name of which I can't remember. Decided to spend the night on the camping. The currency in Macedonia turned out to be of much higher nominal. At the beginning I was worried a bit, however once I've realized the 1.5 l bier costs less than one euro, I stopped worrying about the price tags. From Macedonia I've been trying to stop one of the fancy Mercedes with Albanian registration plate... not much luck there. I had to walk ~15-20 km from Ljubanista/St. Mauritz to Pogradec, which was already on Albanian side. The main city street is a compound dust and the buildings look like postwar ruins. The best way to commute in Albania are private buses/taxis. For ~5 euro you can travel throughout the hole country unless the driver will throw higher taxes. Then the transport expense doubles. On a way to Dures I was able to observe Albanian lands. The military bunkers are still present on the road sides. Even though poverty in this country exceeds 10% the infrastructure sometimes dazzles with its modern high standards. Dures, a second largest city in Albania is probably the best example. Even thought certain parts are dirty and the buildings are left alone to rot, right next door you might find a 5 star hotel with the world class standards. The next day I headed to Tirane, however I was to tired and decided to go on. The same day I've jumped on the bus towards Montenegro.
I'm tired of continuing this blog. It takes way too much time and I'm not even sure if anybody likes it. The attached pictures will complete the trip description and of course I'll try to fill them with as many comments as I can. If anybody has any questions, type them up on the blog or find me on the facebook.
Now I have to somehow find a way to patch up the budgetary holes.... tia crisis is touching everyone and wherever I've been (especially western countries) it would be a vibrant theme for the conversation. President Obama obtains much support not only in this continent. At times I had an impression that his fame vigor and charisma is more appreciated in Europe than in States. In any case compared to local politicians he would be ranked no. 1. I'm just hoping that his word won't turn in vain but into action, which will have a positive effect so that the western people will stop complaining 😊

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Photos

Nun
Vatican draws a lot of pilgrims. I was able to catch one.... the other run away and hid ;/ cu next time :]

Lagow Lubuski - Bastilla
Joannici castle build in XIV century. Standing on the top of Bastilla/Tower.

:)
The Roman street order is governed by beautiful police officers.

Fore Romani
Used to be hectic place of philosophical disputes, political speeches and casual conversations. Now it's just a fence surrounded area in the heart of Rome to which there is no entrance.

model chic
Among ancient monuments one may always find distraction that makes you wanna forget about the history :)

Via dei Fiori Imperiali
Refreshment brake.

Pantheon
Temple build by Marcus Agrippa. Tourists, probably interested in finding treasures inside, were trying to catch a sneak peak through the door locker :)

Sun rise on Cretan See
Didn't sleep this night..... got to take a great photo :)

sleepless night
I don't think there is any crime on Greek islands. I felt absolutely safe outside and decided to forget about the accommodation and breath the see breeze.

fishing departure
some people had to work...

chairs
must have been early in the morning, I still didn't see any people.

near Kissamos
One of the most beautiful places on Crete.

Knossos
Old Palace in Knossos, the origin of the Minotaur myth.

Athens
View on Acropolis.

Old Basar in Sarajevo
Sarajevo as a capital agglomeration in Bosnia & Herzegovina is split into two parts. Basar is part of the older city which is dominated by Muslim. And because there is so many pubs, shops and clubs there, the street life doesn't stop.

Sarajevo (Babushka)
Because of the high temperatures, demand for ice creams is always strong :P

Sarajevo - Mosque
There is no entry to the Mosque with the shoes on

Bosnia & Herzegovina
Construction side

Budapest
Bank of River Aria

Warsaw, Poland
with Wojtek in front of the Kopernikus monument

rondo in Budapest
;/ sorry but I forgot what is the name of the building that figures behind the rondo.... ;/

pelna kultura
kieliszek wodki, sledzik z cebulka. Jak kto lubi ;)

Lagow Lubuski, Polska
One of my favorite locations in Poland.