Take good care of travelers

...these were the words of Abraham, one of our new friends from this journey; and he certainly followed them treating us to delicious Baklavas and other pastries that Greek and people from all over the world, including us, enjoy a lot! Abraham is the owner of a charming pastry shop in Halkidonas, Greece. The shop is called Housein Baklavas and it is named after a friend of his uncle who started the shop many years ago and taught Abraham all about baking pastries. Abraham shared with us how he prepares the Baklavas dough and other pastries...a sweet shop, run by a sweet man!

We have met many others that have taken good care of us travelers: Vicki the very efficient Australian-Greek guest services coordinator for those with lost luggages, who made sure we got our bike and sent our empty suitcases to await for us in Finland. Maria, the International Hostel front desk attendant who introduced us to the Greek language. Dimitrius the owner of the camping place in the coast of the Aegean, who spared us the fare for the night and gave us some gasoline to use in our little stove. Blagy, who graciously found out for us the times of the buses from Kocherinovo to Rila Monastery and explained to us the significance of watching the first storks in their nests rather than flying (if you first see them in their nests you will be lazy for the whole year!). Peter, the Bulgarian artist who greeted us in English: "Pizza for breakfast?" and explained to us many historical features about Bulgaria. Cristina with whom in between Italian and Spanish managed to get us the suite in a hotel in Montana (here in Bulgaria). The Doctor and his wife who directed us to the Sanatorium through the back way assuring that we get some good night sleep and a thermal bath at 6:30 am!. The Scotish friends who told us where to find thermal baths on our way to Sofia. The charming Bulgarian law student who showed us the way to the beautiful Alexander Nevski Cathedral in Sofia and told us how to get back to our hotel!. And of course all the others that have given us directions, drive ahead, bike with or walked with us to get us to places, given us disscounts at hotels or stores and greeted us all the way through our journey.

Thank you to all of them, these travelers feel that we are indeed being cared for.