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Saturday, December 1, 2007

Out of Turkey!

We finally left Turkey today before the authorities came around to make me do some compulsory military service.

Those of you who have been following our blog can guess that although it hadn't rained in over a week, as soon as we started loading the panniers the heavens opened and we enjoyed the rain through the next two hours of Istanbul traffic.

After a fairly boring ride, the highlights being a flat chilly Sea of Marmara and a perfectly green hill of 4 inch winter wheat rising to the blue sky background, we arrived at the Greek border. I'm happy to report that there seem to be no heightened tensions or stress at the border and we passed without incident. I must admit that there was a slight relaxation of anxiety being back in the EU where the rule of law reigns as opposed to the military state of Turkey, with its corrupt authority structure, where one can be at the mercy of the uniform in front of you.

We are in Alexanderopoulis, a clean, pretty seaside town clearly slowed down for the winter season. It feels good to be on the road again.
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