Thessaloniki, day 3

The schedule of the day was a tough one. First trying traditional sweet pastries at Chatzis pastry shop. Then a visit to Domaine Gerovassiliou to learn more about their wine production and taste some of their wines. I keep telling you, this is taxing work.

Thessaloniki, day 2

The rain continues

Thessaloniki, the historic city by the Med where the sun always shines, continues to show its moody side, with dark weeping skies. So you adapt.

First evening in Thessaloniki

Arrived to Thessaloniki this afternoon for a few days of work. When I planned the trip I was looking forward to some Mediterranean sun and warmth, but descending the stairs from the plane I was greeted by a menacing grey sky and rain.
Well well, I always said it is hard work being a travel journalist.
Here are a few photos from the afternoon and evening.

Mostar

Arrived to Mostar this afternoon, will stay here over the election to observe polling stations in villages South of the city. My partner is a young Albanian guy, Sokol. So far so good!
Here are some quick pics from today:

Sarajevo

We have now been in Sarajevo for two days. I am here for an Election Observation mission with the OSCE.
It is a lively and rather fun city, yet a very sad place. I wouldn't say it is beautiful (as many people do) but I suppose it is compared to the rest of the Balkans. The mountains sets the limits and the river passes through, providing some freshness and coolness.
The other day we visited the tunnel museum, where a small part of the tunnel under the airport is preserved. This was the Bosnian lifeline for food and weapons during the 1992-1995 siege, that killed more than 10.000 Sarajevans. But the scars of war are evident everywhere, you don't even need a trained eye to spot them. Impromptu cemeteries sadden even the small parks and countless are the houses disfigured by bullets, grenades and splinters.
Yet life goes on, people smile and the beer is cold.
Tomorrow morning we are deployed. I am going Mostar, where the forecast talks about 22-24°C and sun. Sounds good. My partner is a young Albanian man that works for their Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The election is on Sunday, so we have a few days to get to know our driver and interpreter and to scout our area of observation and its polling station. It is going to be very interesting.