Blocked for a Carnaval parade.

Loved this write-up it reads like traveling with you rather than just hearing about it.

That moment of airport fog, Google Maps betrayal, and still choosing the Tube out of principle (and thrift!) felt very relatable. And the way Richmond slowly revealed itself through coffee, rugby, theatre posters, and pub warmth was just lovely.

Also, the crisps leg cramps realization is painfully funny and very human. Travel logic: free snacks cancel out medical wisdom. 😄

Now I’m half tempted to book Richmond just for the Orange Tree + Robin Cafe combo.

Aw, tony. That is so nice. Thank you. I hope you can. If I went back to Richmond, which I would love to do, I would try to coordinate tickets to the Orange Tree Theatre across the street, with its intriguing-looking productions.

Back to Rome briefly, and a Thessaloniki connection. I am reading A Rome of Her Own, about the few known women from the early empire. Vestal Virgins and what not. I wish I had read it before our trip. It seems there was a politician named Clodius who was Cicero's neighbor on the Palatine Hill. Clodius schemed to have Cicero exiled, and then during that year knocked down his house and built an extension onto Cicero's land. Imagine doing something like that. Cicero spent an unhappy year exiled in Thessaloniki. Knowing things like this would have made the Palatine Hill even more interesting.

Wrapping up:

Hannah enjoyed the tango festival, danced with many excellent partners who spoiled her for the guys back home. She is a morning person, and was glad this festival had afternoon sessions along with the ones that went into the wee hours.

Bob went home a day before Hannah and I did, so he could get the one stop lufthansa flight. By this time, a month into my trip, I had my mandatory traveling cold, not much stamina. I requested wheelchair assistance, and was very glad to have it when we got to the Munich airport. We got to ride one of those zippy little vehicles the very long distance between arrival and departure gates. It seemed like miles. I got to use one of my phrases from 1.5 semesters college German: "Das ist sehr nett!" Our lovely driver agreed that it was nice.

What I might do differently another time:

Starting on the Greek end, working back to well-known London when I would need probably less energy.
I'd refuse to go along with suspiciously helpful young women in big city train stations. Would dig in my heels instead of calling But! No! But!

Many thanks to those who've managed to skim this far.

Bob took these photos at the fortress above Thessaloniki.

Stoke, your 'mandatory traveling cold'--outstanding! Love your oh-so true phrase/revelation.
Mrs Z has been battling one such illness for the first part of our current Antibes stay.
I am done. the fellow Richmond lover

Oh zebec!

Please convey to dear Mrs Z my wish for her swift recovery and return to the Antibes ballgame. I also wish sunshine for you both to soak up.