Back in Thessaloniki

I survived yet another trip. I'm starting to think that maybe I don't have colitis, just a simple allergy to travel. While I was fine for two weeks in Tryavna, as soon as we got on the bus I started having accidents again.

After a long ride to Sofia, I had a brief break. Mom's friends helped us buy a muzzle (a muzzle for ME, can you believe that? Stupid train regulations!) and then stopped for coffee. I only walked in Sofia for a little bit but my impression is very favorable. People are surprisingly calm for a big city, not to mention very tolerant towards dogs. I was even able to ride in a taxi. Twice!

The highlight of the day came for me when we went to drop off our luggage to a friend's place. At the back of the building there was the most beautiful Rottweiler I've seen. She was barking but I knew that behind that ferocious facade was a woman longing for company. I managed to squeeze through the bars and ran to offer her my love. But Mom, as soon as she realized that my beloved was in heat, rushed to separate us. Why? I could have left some of my genes in Sofia. It's so unfair! Just look at her behind those bars, watching me being dragged away. It's heartbreaking!


The rest of the day went downhill. We were late for the train and we had to run while N. and T. ran with our luggage behind us. We got on the train just in time (actually a second too late - the train had already left, but fortunately the platform staff whistled so loud that the train stopped for us. Eternal thanks to N. and T - we wouldn't have done it without your help guys!). The best part was that the nice conductor let us stay in the first class wagon (I will not get into the details of the deal, but it worked for us). So at least we did not bother anyone throughout the ride.

The bad thing with trains is that you can't go out to pee at any stop. We had to wait until we reached the border and then I finally got out. Mom managed to communicate with the Bulgarian border officers in sign language, and then with some chocolate. Luckily, the language of chocolate is universal.

We finally arrived in Thessaloniki around 1am. M picked us up and we went to the hot apartment. I still don't understand why we had to leave the beautiful, cool village with the cows and the goats.