The travelling architect

Μπορεί να έχει περάσει σχεδόν ένας μήνας από το ταξίδι μας, αλλά δεν γινόταν να μη γράψω δυο λόγια. Με ένα στόμα, μια φωνή, είπαμε όλοι «ναι» στην πρόταση για ταξίδι· ένα ταξίδι με σκοπό να βρεθούμε ξανά όλοι μαζί και να γιορτάσουμε τα γενέθλια του ενός από τους δύο πυλώνες της οικογένειάς μας. Οι φορές που πήγαμε Αθήνα — όλοι μαζί ή χωριστά — είναι αμέτρητες. Αυτή τη φορά όμως ήμασταν οργανωμένοι: είχαμε ψάξει από πριν εστιατόρια, τι θέλαμε να δούμε και πού θέλαμε να πάμε. Βρεθήκαμε, αγκαλιαστήκαμε και φιληθήκαμε. Αφήσαμε τα πράγματά μας στο ξενοδοχείο κοντά στο Σύνταγμα και συνεχίσαμε με μαργαρίτες και καφέ στην ταράτσα του Έργον. Η θέα εντυπωσιακή, το αεράκι ιδανικό για μια ζεστή μέρα, και τα μικρά έπαιζαν ασταμάτητα, απολαμβάνοντας ο ένας την παρέα του άλλου. Η πρώτη μέρα έκλεισε με νόστιμο φαγητό και ζωντανή μουσική στην Κληματαριά. Πόσο μου είχε λείψει αυτή η ανεμελιά της Ελλάδας, η χαλάρωση που φέρνει η μουσική. Ακόμα και τα μικρά, παρότι νύσταζαν, παρακολουθούσαν εκστασιασμένα ...

Spring break arrived, and it was the perfect excuse to pause our routines and escape together - just the three of us - on a road trip through Northern Spain. Our architectural tour began the second we stepped off the plane. Bilbao Airport, designed by Santiago Calatrava. The detailing, the natural light and the white concrete emphasize the sculptural form. It looks like a wing, symbolizing a bird in flight. From the airport, we picked up our car and headed towards our spot, Santillana del Mar. It is a city in Cantabria region and we immediately felt that we traveled back in time with all the stone paved pathways, the stone houses, the defensives towers and Renaissance Towers. After a well worth dinner, we couldn't resist to a portion of churros with chocolate. Especially the younger member of our family couldn't stop with his lips full of sweetness. The next day started with a rich breakfast and directly left towards our new destination. In the way there, we did a stop to the N...

Paris, the most beautiful city of my world Everything started with a message: “I’m coming to Paris for work". My reply was instant—“Great, I’ll come too so I can see you". Because real friendship doesn’t hesitate. It doesn’t calculate. It simply moves without second thoughts. Having you in a different continent is the hardest feeling. I couldnt miss the opportunity to see you. We haven't seen each other for 2 years. How much I missed you. Our hugs, our discussions, our walks around the city that we met...you are one of the most important people of my life my friend Ipek. Back in 2008 you were the first person that talked to me in the university. With just a few words in french we started slowly getting closer and closer. And look at us today. You are my travel buddy, my best friend, the friend that knows everything about me. Every time we meet, it feels as if not a single day has passed—we pick up exactly where we left off. We are growing together, floowing the same path ...

My last post was on the first day of the year—a year already heavy with uncertainty, unexpected events, and the shadow of war. Back home, people felt the fear more closely and had to take extra precautions. Meanwhile, in Central Europe, life simply carried on. Our first trip of the year was a train ride to London. Having family abroad is always a good reason to visit them. I was never a fan of London. However, it wasn't my first time visiting. But it was my first time going there with a kid. And I can say that having a toddler and a stroller are not the easiest conditions to be in London.  The toddler was impressed from the big city, and overwhelmed from the number of people around. We had a plan to follow - he has a book that shows London as the city of rock and we couldn't miss taking him to the places showed there. He enjoyed the big clock- Big Ben, the red phone booths and of course the double-decker buses were a highlight. The Natural History Museum was another adventure. ...