Tuesday, June 14 - Thessaloniki Day 1

All 16 of us (and ALL our luggage!) arrived safely in Thessaloniki, Greece by way of Rome, Italy around noon (Greece time or 5 am Michigan time or 2 am Phoenix time) on Tuesday.  The best thing when traveling to Europe (or flying east) is to sleep on the plane (of course, I couldn't) and then stay up and wait to sleep when it goes dark where you are visitng.  Well--that was quite a task for each of us - but Fulbright kept us busy.

We checked our bags into the City Hotel which is situated right in the heart of downtown Thessaloniki.  The suprising news is that we are all each given our own single room.  While it's small, we are all so grateful for the opporunity for a little "down-time" in our rooms.  What a treat!

After settling into our hotel rooms, we had walked to have lunch at Negreponte in a little suburb of Thessaloniki called Ladadika.  Here are a few pictures of the food.  Now...keep in mind that we were served about 4 different kids of appetizers, three main course dishes, and then two desserts!  These were two variations of food we eat in America that I thought you might enjoy.



Fried Greek Meatballs (for lack of a better term) - but way, way better than any meatball ever found in the states!




Yup!  French fries - of sorts.  But ditto on the above comment!

We were given a little free time after lunch to unpack or nap - but I knew napping would not be a good idea if I was going to sleep at night, so myself and a few others took a walk along the Aegan Sea down a broadwalk area that heads toward a famous landmark in the city called the White Tower.

There are general protests sheduled for Wednesday, June 15 all around Greece - but as is typical of protests in Thessaloniki - they are expected to be large and loud, but peaceful.  Greeks, like Americans, are facing a huge economic crisics.  However, the issues over here are much more severe.  Many people who still have jobs have received a 20% reduction in pay in just the past 6 months to year.  This is a protest sign that was up at the White Tower.

Then in the evening we went to meet the American Consul General, Ms. Catherine Kay, at the American Consul in Thessaloniki.  We listened to her speak, as well as three people who are current or former Fulbright Alumnis.  It's amazing all the different projects they each are doing (or did) in Greece.

Dinner in Greece is typically not served until 9:00 or after.  They were kind on us weary folk and we ate our 8:30 dinner at the Excelsior Restuarant.  Let's just say that the Greeks know how to cook!!! 

While Thessaloniki is beautiful, I must say that my favorite part of the day was when I got to go to sleep!  :-)