We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls. – Anais Nin
Intrepid Guy hiking the Amalfi Coast
When I finally coaxed Intrepid Guy to take a full month to travel with me, we chose a more ambitious route than my BFF trip. Yes, still backpacks, but Italy, Greece, and Turkey via planes, trains, and automobiles.
Capri
Consider the taxi in Napoli as our driver popped onto and off of active trolley tracks all the while exclaiming, “Is okay, is okay.” Yes, the Naples National Archaeological Museum was worth it. The same can be said when Greek ferry system imploded during a soccer match.
After that, it took us three attempts to cross from Athens to Samos, then on to Selçuk on the Turkish mainland. Along the way, we experienced the plush travel of Turkish buses,
Gateway to Ephesus’ agora
complete with attendants and hot towels, and the disrepair of their 1960’s trains. Visualize a midnight lurch to the bathroom with gaping holes in the floor.
Between worker strikes for trains leaving Italy, taxis in Athens, and ferries running aground, we developed resilience and our senses of humor. As with most pursuits, at some point you consign yourself to whatever passes for a higher power and go with it. Let the joy begin.
Bus to Cappadocia
How have you developed hardiness during your travels? What mishaps turned into singular experiences?
Blue Mosque Dome
Ancient kitchen – Pompeii
Mustafa and I – Pamukkale
Passage to the Perseia fountain in Mycenae
Happy travelers in Pamukkale
Janine Donoho 