Thessaloniki again.

We are here 2 nights (1 day really). I have booked a bog standard room on the main street with breakfast. Its compact. The tv doesnt work but its for 2 nights, and we can listen to The Archers on podcast anyway. Haha. It is spotlessly clean, the beds comfortable, its warm and the bathroom is nice. We even have two balconies. One off the bedroom and another off the bathroom! What we didn't know when we booked is that it was full of Greek school students. The noise was deafening, all shouting over each other. Running up the corridors to visit each others rooms. This went in long into the first night. Breakfast! The buffet breakfast room is not big enough to seat all the hotel guests at the same time. The students take over. They have long finished eating and throwing food at each other, but carry on sitting there. Initially we were eating with plates balanced on a radiator in the corridor. Finally, they all trailed out to terrorise the rest of Thessaloniki, and we got a seat. We were not the only Humans, opps, sorry I meant non-students, and got chatting to a bus driver and a teacher (who was quick to say they were not his kids). So, we talked buses! The bus driver was taking a bus back to Corfu, his home island. We have travelled across the mountains near his route, it was good to reminiscence. Second night was quieter, or maybe we were just exhausted and slept through it, till 4 in the morning when the phone rang. Some dear joker thought it would be funny to randomly call other rooms! Yeah, hilarious. So, we were like zombies when we got up early. At least we got to breakfast before the chimpanzees tea party started. 

Good stuff about Thessaloniki - Went out for dinner. Found a nice restaurant close by down a side street. Good food, nice wine. Chilled! Also found a fabulous bar called `Seasaw` in English. In a back street to the west of Emporiou Square. Good G&T, good whisky. Served with a frankfurter type sausage with melted cheese and mustard. I was surprised Norman liked the sausage, and disdisappointed as I hoped they would all be mine. Ha ha.

Today we went to Ataturks house. Mustafa Kemel Ataturk was born in Thessaloniki. No one knows his real birth date. The house is behind the Turkish Consulate. There is a big iron door, you have to knock to gain access. Once inside you are on Turkish soil. `Welcome to Turkey`. No charge. Its a simple Turkish style villa in the city. Inside are artefacts and memoirs from people who knew and loved him. I would love to have met him. He seems charismatic, loving, gentle and kind. He loved children and said to listen to them and don't stop them from joining in a conversation. He also had fun and enjoyed playing. There is a story about him playing at having a tea party with little cups and saucers with the children of an American ambassador. This is a trait we have witnessed with Turkish people, they are not embarrassed about having simple fun. 

Then we re-found our favourite little Bistro. `Ojvoxoos, K. Merevixou 39. In a back street opposite the Turkish consulate building. It is Greek/Turkish/French. Seats probably 30. Great atmosphere, great food. We had spinch, pear and walnut salad with Roquefort dressing sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. Homemade taramasolata and Tzatziki and bread hot from the oven. Lovely house white wine to wash it all down. Its all served so nicely, nice crockery and glasses, crisp white linen table cloths. But not pretentious at all. This is our third visit here, the owner welcomed us and showed us to our `usual table`. His petite daughter, who speaks very good English, serves front of house, and flits between tables at lightening speed. After our meal she came with a pretty glass lidded dish with delicious chocolates and slices of orange and a glass of Pastis each. (Pastis · French aniseed liqueur sweeter then Raki or Ouzo, very delicious.) If ever you are in Thessaloniki, I urge you to eat here. 

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