This morning we have a good breakfast buffet again. Not much fresh fruit since we left Athens, although there are usually apples and oranges available. In addition to eggs, bacon (which is more like thin ham), cereals, yogurt and other goodies, there are usually sweets also, like various cakes. The breads, we have found, are mostly heavy with a tough crust, though sometimes there are softer rolls. Breakfast usually begins between 7:00 and 8:00, with the bus pulling out between 8:00 and 9:00.
We travel through the mountains again today, with some steep and windy roads with occasional small villages or farms. We soon get on a newish highway which goes through several tunnels through mountains.
Today Emmie talks a bit about Greece's recent history. After being regarded almost as slaves under Turkish rule for 400 years, the Greeks had a revolution and earned independence. Then they were ruled by a military junta for years. It wasn't until the 1980's that they elected a new democratic government. Greece was under Turkish rule when most of Europe was enjoying the Renaissance, so they were held back. The new government did massive hiring to spur employment, with the result that the government was making large expenditures but many of those hired didn't really have much to do. Laws such as taxation were based on very old systems, which lead to loopholes and uneven taxation. Once hired, people continued getting paid even when their jobs were obsolete.and full pensions were awarded to many workers after only 20 years service. Credit became available for the first time and people used it indiscriminately without understanding how it really worked. And then there was the cost of the 2004 Olympics. Overall it sounds like the country wanted to be Independent but didn't have the knowledge or structure to create a sound economy, which lead to the current credit crisis. Emergency taxes have been implemented and pensions have been cut dramatically. There is very little manufacturing in Greece and the main sources of employment are agriculture and tourism.
Our first stop today is Ioannina, a pleasant town on a large lake, Lake Pamvotida or Pamvotis, also called Lake Ioannina. It seems that most places in Greece have several names: Often a Greek name and an anglicized one. (i.e. Corfu is Kerkyra, Santorini is Thera in classical Greek and There in today's Greek. ) Originally developed because of silver mines, this town was quite a cultural center in ancient times. The remains of the ancient walled city still exist today, and it is a university town as well.
We have a couple of hours to explore and lunch on our own. We walk inside the old walls where there are mostly nicely kept old homes. Lots of beautiful flowers, and an elementary school whose recess yard is busy and noisy.
We walk by the lake for a while and note several dads with little ones in strollers. Lots of young folks out and about.
We skip the museums and look for a place for lunch, ending up with pizza along the waterfront. I have a Bikos Cola - the Greek version of Coke, which tastes pretty similar.
Back on the highway, we head to Igoumenitsa, a seaside town where we will catch a ferry to travel 17 nautical miles to the island of Corfu, also known as Kerkyra in Greek. This is also the name of the ferry company.
Our driver, Dimitri, is so good! We are amazed as he easily backs the bus onto the ferry! It is a pleasant ride and Corfu looks to be an inviting place as we approach.
We have a 7:30 dinner at the hotel, once again a nice buffet with yummy desserts.
There are lots of high school age Greek children here on a school trip, so things are a little noisy. Fortunately our floor is a quiet one, while some others in our group are not so fortunate!
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