Last few memorable days in Thessaloniki, Greece

Well Thessaloniki was a great city, with a very rich history and covering so many cultures over so many years. I loved the fact it was a great mix of East and West at one time. Less so now and don’t dare mention Macedonia to a Greek without expecting a quick rebuff and insistence to correct it to Skopje. The feelings run high on both sides even after a nearly 30 years dispute, although it looks like the new Macedonian government is trying hard to get them renamed North Macedonia, to assist them getting into the EU. Whether that’s enough, I don’t know. We shall wait and see!

Still having problems with the blog web site describing photos individually on my phone! and now I am in Egypt have no strong signals anywhere so videos have been halted although scheduled up to middle of December before I left Greece. My lap top stills edits so having to dig it out now for the editing 😦

Had the most tender octopus and delicious mussels I had ever had in Thessaloniki before I left

The last night for Food distribution for me anyway. Cant help but admire the guys and gals who do it 7 days a week for nothing. Really kind loving people, I wish them all well.

Trying hard to donate my car to the food charity. They have no money and now no car . They work on a shoestring. Full of admiration for all they do but there is a lot of bureaucracy in just giving them my car!!

This bubble making was walking back along the huge promenade at Thessaloniki after their Ochi Day, thousands lined the route for the Military procession

 

October 28th is Ochi day, (It means No in Greek) to celebrate the day on 28.10.1940 when their Greek leader famously said “No” to the Italians who were backed by Germany and tried to invade through Albania. The Greeks put up a tremendous defence and even pushed them back through most of Albania. This Greek defence is believed to have delayed Hitler and instead of a spring offensive against Russia he had to start in the Winter and this ended up disastrously for them. So unusually the Greeks celebrate the beginning of a war not the end!!

There were literally thousands of people at the parade which is very much military and has some frightening weapons on show. Its controversial with some sections of the community because of the huge cost and the war/defence theme

You have no idea how difficult it was to get pictures of service personnel , but as usual with sheer perseverance (It was hilarious at times, I definitely have a healthy disrespect for officialdom) I found some prepared to be photographed with a tourist in  a kilt

The Red Cross were on parade too

Lots of riot police around all kitted up. Apparently there were problems last year. Egg throwing etc from anti war/government protesters. Potential for the same problem anywhere in the world especially when showing off military hardware!

The most wonderful selection of local produce courtesy of Donna and her boyfriend Bobby. Thank you both, it was very kind and much enjoyed.

These two were re-enactments from the Royal guard. You have to be over 6ft 6 inches to get in

Selfie with Donna and her boyfriend and son

Donna’s lovely son enjoyed the day too

Another tourist, well two of them really!

Donna and Bobby were wonderful hosts

The toilet queue was busy 🙂

Very common two cops on a bike. Saw them all over the city. It’s the way they work here

Greek orthodox church at the local train station

Local police unit keeping an eye on a students demo across this side of the road about cuts in education budgets and facilities

Eastern Orthodox church near the main square

British soldiers during the first world war

Indian soldiers fighting for the Allies in Greece

Famous postcard showing the many cultures there were in Thessaloniki, In the early 1900’s it was the East meets West city, that now belongs to Istanbul? Apparently the city had the largest Jewish population in the world 42% were Jewish, but that was before they were exterminated by the Nazi’s in concentration camps. Only 4% of Thessaloniki Jews survived the war

Two warships moored off the coast for the parade

looking seawards from the Main Square

The Public baths is now a museum and details the accidental fire that started here in 1917 and destroyed half the city.It burned for 32 hours and made 270,000 people homeless

Allied forces during the first world war included British, French, Italian, Russian, and Serbian

 

Local sea produce is delicious

Perseverance again with the Police and eventually met these two great guys for a photo

Parts of the old city walls are visible all over the city