Gravena, 19th april 2017

The wind is strong, the Egnatia Road is plenty of trucks running on my left and on my right. I had to be concentrate to menage the wind of the trucks passing by and the wind from the mountains. My left arm is paining more and more and its start to rain softly. “Tarantina”, is strong and helps me to be compact on her. I trust on her! Finally after six hours road we arrived at 7 pm to Gravena. I will stop here for one night

Gravena is situated on the road that connect Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa and to the east to Alexandroupoli. Here the mountains surrounding the city of about 13.000 inhabitants. Gravina is situated by the river Greveniotikos, which flows into the Aliakmon, the longest river in Greece. Aliakmon, for this region is not only important as source of fish and therefore nutrition and local economy but above all because its interesting history. This river demarcates the region of Makedonia and Thessalia and it’s the largest river in Greece which flows entirely in the greek territory.

We slept in the only Hotel that was open, the lady form the Farmacy gived us the advise to go there. I parked on front of the Hotel and went in to ask. There was Kostas and his wife working, they gived us a little pretty room on face of the forest. Millionis is the name of the hotel. Kostas, the owner, with his family is preparing for next Saturday a wedding here. There are people coming to visit him taking coffee together and talking about money and the economical situation in Greece. The son of Kostas works with his parents in the hotel. He returned from Germany to help them.

Gravenioticos is an affluent of Aliakmon river. Ἁλιάκμων was in greek mithology one of the sons of Okeanos and Thetys, sea nymph and goddess of water.   An ancient tradition says that sheep that drank water from Aliakmon would turn their colour to white. This tradition is not more transmitted surely but I can immagine that in Grevena the people will know about this tradition in some fairy tails.

Portitsa Bridge

The weather is really not good. Not only for the rain but the wind is strong and stronger than higher on the mountain  I drive. The loneliness on the road, the doubt to have chosen the right way! But yes! Also if the wind don't gives me confidence that I will make it without difficulties. I love It! I start to thing the power and concentration on the body I manage to don't go out of the street.

I start  to chanting to concentrate my thoughts.

'Capita di morire più volte al giorno./ Si muore anche tutte le notti. / Sparati,investiti, con una botta in testa / di schiena, di gomito o di culo/in silenzio o col frastuono di sirene. / con un pubblico o da soli. / Da cani randagi, da regine scronate. / Di schiaffi si muore, di offese umilianti / di bugie incancrenite, di colpe o di rimorso/ di debiti a venire e crediti a rimandare / di cose mute che sverminano in bocca, / di troppa fatica alle giunture, di scoramento. 

Si muore tante volte e pure di pomeriggio / poi ci si alza e si va, come se niente fosse. / finché non sei morto, ne hai da morire.  

(''La prima verita' Simona Vinci p.229) 

I will do it! Long the road the nature is wonderful, I keep concentrate to don't be rushed against the rock... Taranta is great and goes forward with me. 

Finally arrived to Metsovo! Gazoline for Tatti  and I take a rest at the taverna. 

The clouds cames more and more black.  Two hours stop with a magnific meal and atmosphere in the room with a fire where to dry the jacket and shoes and people coming with family to eat too.

5 pm the way to Igoumenitsa is chosen toward the Egnatia.  I would like to continue the adventure on the lateral street, but better so.

Una goccia da quel blu

dove il mistero del suo colore

affiora le nostre menti...

Le nuvole non avevano pace,

lei segue quella retta che

la fisica impone,

verso la terra che tanto l'attende.

Sfiora quel soffio che non ha nome

e balla felice portata con un dito e

abbracciata svincolandosi

da ogni ragione

fino a lasciarsi lentamente...

Riprende il suo viaggio verso te

Cade la goccia sul mio volto

Porta con sè la vita!

I fiori sbocciano

Gli ulivi si risvegliano

i corpi si muovono delicati

nel bacio

di lei.

On the horizon Bari .... then back to Rome.