It is good to introduce the map feature again after being away from my laptop for a few days. I would hate to think you were feeling as lost and disoriented as I was at times. And of course, if you purchased the special edition my map of Europe to put on your wall, together … Continue reading Big Trip Day 27 – Yalova to Konya
Category: Big Trip
Posts relating to my 1973 hitch-hike across Europe.
Big Trip Day 26 – Istanbul to Yalova
Today marks the start of Volume 2 of my travelogue. Well, ok then, I started a new notebook to capture my thoughts on this journey. I hear some of those thoughts have wanted to escape for years, but at least now they are getting a bit of fresh air. It is quite difficult to untangle … Continue reading Big Trip Day 26 – Istanbul to Yalova
Big Trip Day 25 – Istanbul
I strolled down to the Galata Bridge again this morning. As in many cities, the streets are like a gallery depicting the full spectrum of poverty and wealth, of fortune and misfortune, of happiness and despair. I tried to capture the essence of the city in my notes at the time: …minarets of many mosques, … Continue reading Big Trip Day 25 – Istanbul
Big Trip Day 24 – Istanbul
The first notes for today were recorded in a cafe at the Galata Bridge, where I enjoyed an early afternoon beer. I had spent the morning wandering around the city, soaking up the sights and sounds. It was so noisy and vibrant, the characterful hawkers broadcasting the wonders of their wares, the man playing his … Continue reading Big Trip Day 24 – Istanbul
Big Trip Day 23 – Ipsala to Istanbul
It has always been part of my personal narrative, my autobiographical memory, that I ended up in Istanbul by mistake. My original destination was Athens, but I could not find the right road out of Saloniki. That is how I found myself on the road to Istanbul - by getting lost. We know about the … Continue reading Big Trip Day 23 – Ipsala to Istanbul
Big Trip Day 22 – West of Xanthi to near Ipsala
Well, that was a very cold and uncomfortable night! Up at 05.00 hrs and on the road by 06.30 hrs. First lift was in a jeep, followed by a bone-shaking ride in a truck that took me as far as Xanthi. Never mind the bumpy ride, the scenery was lovely. And, compared to yesterday, the … Continue reading Big Trip Day 22 – West of Xanthi to near Ipsala
Big Trip Day 21 – West of Kavala to west of Xanthi
My travelogue does not contain much information about today, so this will be a brief post. It records that I was up at 6.15 this morning and on the road by 10.00 hrs. It is not that my morning ablutions, as scant as they are, take so long, it is because I have to allow … Continue reading Big Trip Day 21 – West of Kavala to west of Xanthi
Big Trip Day 20 – Salonica field ever closer to Kavala
My thinking became a bit catastrophic after I snuggled down last night. I imagined being crushed by tanks on manoeuvres (no sign of any tanks), trampled by stampeding cattle (no sign of any cattle), or being suffocated by someone with murderous intent (no sign, but kept checking). Quite a bit of dew and condensation when … Continue reading Big Trip Day 20 – Salonica field ever closer to Kavala
Big Trip Day 19 – Thessaloniki to a bit closer to Kavala
This is the day I thought I would never leave Thessaloniki. Not because of falling in love with the city but because I kept going round in circles trying to find the road to Kavala. It took me about 5 hours to be on my way. I stopped in a cafe for a coffee and … Continue reading Big Trip Day 19 – Thessaloniki to a bit closer to Kavala
Big Trip Day 18 – bit before Ivanograd to Thessaloniki
The day began with stiff limbs after my sleep in the front seats of the camper van. But the sun was shining in a beautiful blue sky. The brightly painted camper van attracted a group of farm kids, quickly followed by their parents. Soon a breakfast party was in full swing. An old woman with … Continue reading Big Trip Day 18 – bit before Ivanograd to Thessaloniki
Psychologist on the Move 