The Nomadic Intern

Well, I travelled to Skopje Macedonia which is new country for me.  My friends Ana and Velko were going for 2 days to visit family and they had appointments and invited me along. The trip takes about 3 hours. Velko arranged a hotel (The City Centre Hotel) for me in the centre of the city which was 50 euros for 2 nights in total. He is very well connected here, and the hotel was just lovely plus it had CNN, so I got caught up on Trump News!

This city was full of surprises for me. First of all, Mother Theresa was born here!

The city centre looks all new with many statues, fountains and new fronts on the buildings. It looks very European and impressive. Many cafes and restaurants, the food is very good and very inexpensive. I took 5 people out for lunch with a bottle of wine and it cost 25 euros.

I went to the history museum. I had an excellent guide that told me about the wars and the relationship with Greece, which isn’t good. The Museum cost 2 euros with an excellent private guide.

It is very poor in Macedonia and people are not happy that the Government has spent all this money on the grand centre.

My biggest surprise was a very large Holocaust Museum. It is a beautiful large new building in the centre. It is about the same size as the one in Washington. It was closed, and no one knew quite why. The museum was built on a site where the Jewish community lived, but sadly nearly 8,000 were sent to the camps from this community.

Many trees surrounded by mountains, all in all a delightful surprise plus friendly people.

I also had excellent teeth cleaning for 20 euros!!

P.S

Another surprise

I met Luke on the street, a morman. He was a very well dressed young man. He has lived in Skopje for 2 years. He had received this mission from church in Utah and will be going home next month to attend College.  He was funny and said when he received the letter from church saying where he was going for 2 years, he had never heard of or had any idea where the  country was.

Believe it or not Mother Theresa was born in Skopje! Who knew?

Below are pictures of the vibrant centre of Skopje, Capital of Macedonia

Here I am in Peraia Greece, just outside of Thessaloniki.  I am here for the month of April. I have spent the day with good friends sitting on the beach in the sunshine. (not hard to take) I will be 75 tomorrow! It is difficult for me to believe since both of my parents died much younger, so at this point I am beating the odds.

My friend Brenda from California has given me her flat for reasonable rent. It is on the sea, so I can pay full attention to my writing in the quiet and the beauty.

Last week I had 2 lovely days in snowy Montreal with my friend Eric. It’s always good to catch up. Then I was off to Halifax to see Judy, who has offered to be my book coach. Judy made me work and think very hard, which was great. I also drove to see my Granddaughter Spencer at University. It was lovely to see her happy in her new surroundings.

Flying to Greece, I flew Turkish Airlines just excellent in every way!

I am having my birthday lunch with Ana, Velko and their 2 great kids Gorazd and Bisera by the sea in the sunshine. It’s PERFECT!

Velko is a business man and has the Maserati Car Dealership. He also is awaiting a very important posting in Greece, which will allow him to take his skills to other parts of the world.

A lovely friendship and sharing has developed!

So, tomorrow I get back to work on the book, enough fun for now.

PS – the outfit I am wearing is a beautiful silk outfit I received as special gift!

With Ben at the Bar Mitzvah; young man lighting the candles!

My book coach and friend Judy in Halifax.

With Spencer on the ocean in Antigonish NS. (Very chilly).

HALIFAX BK FAMILY!

View from terrace of my new home in Greece for the month of April.

I AGREE!!

At my Birthday lunch by the sea. I was teased and told this picture was nicknamed The Movie Star

Birthday lunch with my young friends Gorazd and Bisera

I love this little girl on the beach in Greece.

I had lunch with a friend last week he used the term OUTLIER to describe me. The dictionary definition is a person or thing situated away or detached from the main body or system.

In 2005 Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book called The Outliers, tag line, Story of Success. His definition is a person that is very different, words he uses are non-conformist, Eccentric, Original, Maverick, and Bohemian! Two things I remember, one being that it takes 10,000 hours to become a master of anything and two, mentor ship and a sense of community are very important in life. (l agree) Boy oh boy, I guess I have passed anything that is in the realm of normal.

I attended my grandsons Bar Mitzvah, Ben did an amazing job. He was very relaxed and had done the work. As part of the service he had written a piece about humanity and getting along in the world, way beyond his 13 years. I was very proud and will include it somewhere in my book.

I am starting to get serious about my book, setting up interviews, and figuring out how this will all happen! I have about 25 people on my list for interviews so far.

I am travelling to Montreal next week to visit Eric. It is always wonderful to spend time with him. Then I will be off to Halifax to visit my friend and coach for the book Judy, as well as visit with granddaughter Spencer at University.

Until the next time!!

Your’s truly at the Bar Mitvah in an outfit I bought totally in Athens! Theme for party was jeans and jewels!

My tall lovely Granddaughter Megan

I arrived in Toronto on February 9th and it has been a whirlwind of appointments and seeing everyone. I am still trying to decide where I should use as my base, Canada or England? My decision doesn’t have to made in a hurry or maybe not at all.

I did accomplish getting a 10-year visa for India, which took 13 hours over 3 days, and 3 visits to various Indian government offices. I started with the downtown office where I was told they just handled emergency visas. They sent me to the office in the west end where they thought a 5-year visa was enough. On top of that, they wanted my passport for a week, which wouldn’t work because of trip my to Tampa.

I had met the Consul General over lunch before and had done a very small favor for his wife, so, I sent him an email requesting an appointment. He replied very promptly with a yes. This gentleman holds an open house for 2 hours on Friday mornings, so I went downtown again where I waited for over 2 hours, and for those who know me, patience is not my strength! I told the Counsel General (lovely man by the way) why I wanted a 10-year visa. I want it because, maybe as I age, India would be the place to settle. Within 2 minutes, 3 gentlemen descended in front of me asking for my passport and 20 minutes later I had a 10-year visa in my passport. I was very pleased. I see this as another possible option for my life.

I am planning away for the writing of the new book and received a wonderful opportunity. Brenda, a friend who lives in California and works all over the world has made me great offer! We met on plane 4 years ago flying from Athens. We have kept in touch and have even met in Cambridge for dinner a couple of times.

Brenda has an apartment in Thessaloniki Greece on the sea and has offered it to me for month of April. This is great because I need a place to go where I can be disciplined and write. I can also do interviews for my book in a beautiful setting on the sea. The apartment looks lovely and apparently has received a 5-star air bnb rating. So, back to Greece I go before going to Dorset in UK for the month of May. I will also look at other options in the UK when I am there.

As far as the book goes, I will spend few days in Halifax in the middle of March with my friend Judy who has offered to be my coach for the book. Judy will push me and keep me on the straight and narrow. My granddaughter is in University in Nova Scotia, so, Spencer and I will spend some time together, which will be special.

I am on plane on way to Tampa to see old friend Betty. Betty was on city council many years ago with her late husband Bill. I ran her first political campaign when I was a young Mother. I haven’t seen her in a couple of years because of my travelling. It will great to spend time together. Betty is an 88-year dynamo plus the 80 degrees and sun is never difficult to take!

Where I am in Florida!! Hot, Hot, Hot!

As you know, this year I have to make a decision on where to live because of medical coverage. I don’t think I want my base to be Canada, travelling is much easier and cheaper from Europe. The Grandkids are all growing up very quickly, so, not the same involvement as when they were small.

Having a base in UK is very doable. l have a passport. The trick is to find an affordable space to use as base. My criteria is a city with an international airport and a city that has culture and my cinemas of course. I would also want a space that is in walking distance of a city centre (none of this will be easy to find)

I plan also to try and acquire a 10 year visa for India. That will also give me another option. People ask me if I am interested in another relationship. It would have to be just very spectacular. I have male friends around the world, but settling  down is difficult for me now. For years people would say to me I wasn’t normal (whatever that means); well now I agree. I enjoy the movement, different cultures, people and just enjoy most things I do and get involved in.

I have committed to writing another book. The working title is….In Search of Spiritual Intelligence…and will include essay type interviews with people all over the world using my travels and my own spiritual journey as a backdrop. I must admit I am very excited about this and I will need piles of help and it will take at least a year, if not more.

So, for now, back to the cold in Canada!

Culture is alive and well. I met an actress who wasn’t paid, (no money for salaries) but felt continuing her craft was very important.

Family units are very strong here. Two examples of this are; that the actress went back to live with her family and I met a young engineer that was offered a job in Canada. He decided to stay in Greece because he said Canada was too far away from his family.

Everyone is in a big rush and courtesy is not extended in any way lines, seats; anything.

People feel the younger generation must make the change before the Government listens in any way. Not just demonstrate, but some strategic changes and methods must be employed.

The Australians have done very well from a business perspective here.

When I hear conversations in the Greek language it all sounds like a very long story they take so long to say anything. The unemployment rate is anywhere from 24 percent to 50 percent depending on who you talk too.

Athens feels very safe. Just have to be careful in crowds as there are lots of pickpockets.

I had a wonderful visit to Thessaloniki with new friends that I had met in Athens. Velko; very entrepreneurial and smart, involved in many businesses and has superb connections.

His wife is just lovely and very smart also. The kids were great. We will certainly stay in touch.

They were excellent hosts and showed me an amazing time. Right now I am sitting in the lounge in the airport waiting to go to Athens hopefully later today as my plane was cancelled this morning because of high winds.

I have 10 more days in Athens!

PS – The weather is perfect for me between 10 and 15 with sun everyday. The Athens Studios where I am staying, I would recommend to anyone, excellent service in every way. I will have stayed here over 2 months with an amazing deal, because it is the winter!

A star is born!

Great lunch

Lunch by the sea with artist friend Cathy (Greek Canadian)

Book on Auschwitz highly unusual and beautiful soon to be translated into English

Very special book on Auschwitz

Wonderful art piece in ceiling of Metro Station

Thessaloniki Greece

Wonderful friends Ana, Velko Bisera and Gorazd. My hosts in Thessaloniki

I travelled for 6 hours on a train to Metora to see the famous Monasteries. The trip was beautiful. There was lots of deep snow as we travelled through tunnels and over bridges in the high mountains.

Now I have to say Greek trains are not the best. They are dirty and old etc. They are nothing compared to the Underground in Athens which was built for the Olympics which is bright, airy and pristine, just excellent in every way.

When I arrived in Metora, I was staying in a hotel in town. When I walked into the hotel it was freezing cold. The temperature outside was -6. I asked the staff on desk about the heat and was told heat was turned on for 2 hours every day. The woman looked at me and said she was very warm. She was wearing a ski jacket with a scarf (that said it all). I went to negotiate with the manager and I ended up with heat, and an extra duvet on my bed. It was a very cozy, lovely hotel.

If you go to Greece, this trip is well worth it. Game of Thrones was filmed in the mountains.

The Monasteries are very beautiful. We visited 3 and one nunnery. The Nunnery had woman of wealthy families in Greece there. The Nuns had donated a new fire truck to the town, so they could have their ice cleared first with the firehoses. (that’s power).

On Christmas Eve I went to a Church Service. I couldn’t understand a word, but it was beautiful! Christmas Day, I spent at the BK centre. They had a wonderful dinner for 15 people. They even had me ironing tablecloths and making fans for napkins. I haven’t done any of that for many decades. On Boxing Day, I went on a walk to see the wealthy homes in Northern Athens with a volunteer guide. Afterwards I had a wonderful lunch at a very old restaurant in the community. On New Years Eve I was invited to a very elegant dinner party (FUN)

I will be leaving here February 2nd to spend a week in Cambridge UK before I fly to Toronto for another Bar Mitzvah. This is the last one, next will be the weddings!

I really enjoyed Athens. Where I am staying is just perfect, very central, very well cared for, lots of culture, and great energy.

When I was here 3 years ago people were very angry over the state of the economy. It isn’t any better, but they are resolved to what it is. The Greeks are very proud. They care about family and they take care of one another. I am told 50 per cent of people are unemployed and the people that do work are not sure if they will get paid. I met a teacher the other day. She made 800 euros a month and felt very fortunate. Greeks have no use for their Politicians or the European Union!

I was invited to a book launch last evening. I thought it was for an art show, so I sat for one hour not understanding a word.

Athens is certainly less expensive than UK, but I think anyplace is less.

Biggest Bag I have ever seen

On train to Metora Greece to visit Monasteries in the Snow and – 6

Winter wonderland!!

Beautiful doors to the WC in the Monastery

Painting in Monastery of failed attempt to raise Nazi Flag on building

Wonderful mountain top views from Monasteries: