Crete

Aaahh Crete!
A place that deserves all the love and attention you could give.
When you hear Greece or Greek Islands what do you imagine? Amazing blue waters, sweet little white buildings, extremely hospitable people and sand as soft as silk? Well, Greece and her lands is all that. But Crete...well, Crete is something more. The history, the pink-sand beaches, the breathtaking views, the possibilities for nature lovers are endless from pink-sand beaches through scary deep gorges to high peaks and  hidden gems all over the island.
Our amazing adventure began on a Saturday evening, travelling to the airport for several hours to catch the 6a.m. flight. By approaching our destination the view from the airplane was jaw-dropping. Never before have I seen such nuances of blue and green mixed in a perfect symbiosis.

Upon landing we hopped straight into a rent car and drove to the Palace of Knossos, also known as The Home of the Minotaur. The information signs at the site are really helpful and even if you have no clue who the Minotaur and Queen Ariadne were, you will be able to catch up really fast. Stop and enjoy many of the restored frescoes, notice the huge earthen jars and just sink into the atmosphere of prehistoric life.
After taking a night walk around Heraklion and getting a good night sleep, we were ready for the real vacation. We drove to the other side of the island, making a sweet B&B our Cretan HQ, as we had planed 2 hikes and 3 beaches for our 5-day stay.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind ~ Yuval Noah Harari

Picture:Goodreads

There is so much to say about this book, that it is hard even to begin.
A good start could be my first thought after turning the last page: This book should be obligatory at schools.
The author is telling us a story about a world and its inhabitants and how it got to to where it is now. What I really liked was the fact that the author was not trying to impose one conception or another. Harari keeps the perfect balance by every statement he makes. A very good example is the sensitive topic of religion and the existence of gods.

At first the author takes us through the years building up to the creation of religion and why it was necessary. He is actually denying the existence of gods and acknowledges the fact that this could scandalize some people. Then hurries to soften them by explaining that religion actually is pretty important if we want to keep societies together and going forward. He talks about how actually religion makes societies more stable and how we need it to keep the good work as a group, which leads to the success of all humanity. The whole statement was so well written, with good arguments and details, that it could turn a non-believer into one who shakes his/her head approvingly and with understanding.

Lisbon is a Gift we all deserve!

It was my sweet husband's birthday and the only thing he wanted as a gift  was a trip to Lisbon. Could I have said "no"? Of course. But I didn't. Because he loves to travel, he loves new adventures and experiencing new cultures. And so we did see Lisbon in a day!
We arrived late on a Friday and went straight to our B&B to leave the luggage we had with us (just the two backpacks, but still heavy). After a few minutes checking the place and consulting google maps, we were out. Our goal was the 360`Panorama view from a Mall nearby. Unfortunately we were too late, as in winter it closes around 18.00 o'clock. And what a luck we had. It turned that Lisbon has so many amazing view points, that are cheaper or free, that this would have been money on the wind.
As we were in the region of the Rato metro station, we've decided to get to know the neighborhood before dinner. Even though it was late on a Friday night. the streets were not busy with the usual suspects you may see at other big European capital such as lightly drunken young people, or heavy drunken not so young people, or big loud companies or the usual street beggars. The city (or at least this region, which is not so small) was full of young people, having much fun, people going home late after work and residents walking their dogs. The streets are so narrow and so steep, one may feel as if hiking but instead among nature, among the city jungle.
Everywhere we go, we take a free walking tour and almost every time is the same. Going through some very crowded touristic places and thus not seeing much, the guide would tell you more about history facts than about the people and the atmosphere of the place. So, this time I've decided to take another approach. I chose a walking tour that explicitly said the guide would not take us through the big monuments and touristic places, but through the districts of Lisbon, getting to know its rhythm, its life.

That's why I chose the "Chill out walking tour" (no advertising here, just a tour that offered what we were looking for, I'm sure the other walking tours are really good, too).

Amsterdam or A Dam in the Amstel

This city hits you right in the face and I mean it in any good way possible. Every building, every shop and street have their own look and style.

Starting off early on Saturday, we get to the city by train from a district just outside Amsterdam. The train station building is amazing. It's almost like you come out of a castle. Walking down the main street to the Dam Square, we were always tripping on every step of the way, because we were looking up all the time at the buildings' facades and the Christmas decoration, which was giving the city center even more atmosphere.

We had a meeting with a Free Walking Tour guides at the War Memorial right across the street from the Royal Palace. It was raining cats and dogs. I was ready to run and hide in the "Madame Tussaud" Museum, but...! Sam (our tour guide) was so contagious with his energy , that we actually stayed to the very end. Thanks to him I learned a lot about the city, the country and the history, seeing some of the most beautiful places along the way.

Oh, my Italy!

Only three single steps to become a true Italian: dress well, eat well and enjoy life! You've probably read the book "Eat, Pray and Love" or maybe you've watched the movie or at least you've heard of it and the wonderful story of Elizabeth Gilbert. Honestly, what I really loved about her journey was Italy or the Get-to-know-the-Italians-part. I thought I already got an idea of what their lifestyle would be and I loved it. Until... my first visit to this beautiful warm country.

Walking down at the Promenade at Como Lake is where a person should start. Take your time, don't let the touristic drive overcome you. Just slow down life and let your soul feast on everything that this place could offer. Look at the sun playing on the lake's water. Inhale the perfume of all the flowers coloring the streets. Look up and around you and greet the passing by people. Make a stop at a gelato- shop, sit at a small Caffè.  Let your whole being live in the moment.

Next stop: Milan. You must get lost in this city. That would be the only way to experience it. With all the small streets full of well-dressed people, riding
cars that probably belonged to James Bond. Just sink into the atmosphere that of sunshine and warmth that surrounds Milano. It is inevitable, of course, to get to The Cathedral or also known as Duomo di Milano.

"The Alienist" ~ Caleb Carr

Picture:Wikipedia

First of all I want to warn you : do not eat before reading this book. You may not take this advice seriously, you may find it even ridiculous, but trust me the described images are not for every stomach.
At the very dawn of criminal investigation (fingerprints are just an idea) and psychology investigation a brutal murderer is on the loose.
The main character, Dr. Kriezler, uses as an investigation method the idea of context behind which stands the theory that behavior is determined in the childhood.
Mr Moore is a crime reporter for the New York Times and one would assume that he would be more likely to be in the role of Watson. Actually his good knowledge of New York's underworld helps immensely the investigation.
Ms Sara Howard assists as the connection between the team and the police (mainly with captain Theodore Roosevelt, that's right the future president of America). She brings of course the usual romantic side-story we see in every story.
Dr. Kriezler and his team face up something not very familiar to 18th century police: a brutal serial killer. And not just that, he targets kids, also known as boy-whores.
The way he kills them and displaces their bodies... You wouldn't expect that even from Stephen King.
If I have to be completely honest, I didn't find any of the characters very charismatic or well-developed, even the killer's background was a little watery presented, but the mere fact that he was identified almost only by analyzing his life and digging deep down in his mind was remarkable. Of course the help from the two forensic brothers Markus and Lucius Issacson was of great assistance, plus their presence added some good mood to the whole party.
The whole story is really dark and unusual, but that's why I believe you would enjoy it. It is something relatively new, exciting and a little scary. Almost only with the help of observation, analysis and knowledge on human nature, an unlikely team of people is able yo stop a troubled person and his evil self.

There is a 2-Season series made on this book and its sequel. The whole project is very well made. The cast and the represenatation of the times back then are (for the very first timeon my life) just as I imagined them in the book(s). 

"Child 44" ~ Tom Rob Smith

Picture:Goodreads

Another book that I've been avoiding for quite a long time... And again it was a huge mistake. After I read it I was sorry for not doing it earlier...
Tom Rob Smith has the amazing ability to present to you every character, no matter how minor to the story, in such a way, that it makes you part of his/her life, even for the one paragraph that he is in.
The representation of post-war Russia makes you feel weird. It is as if you are reading a horror story mixed with a tea spoon of "1984" by Orwell.
This book mixes every day life in Stalin-Russia with a dark and extraordinary police investigation. It makes you wonder: is it possible in such hard times for people to preserve the human in themselves, to keep caring for the others and continue investigating a horrible chain of events with the sole purpose of doing the right thing?
At first this book will make you doubt history, humanity and even maybe reality (especially if you never knew what exactly was life during Stalin's regime), but then it'll take you to another level and make you feel hopeful again.
I have to admit that the ending is somehow predictable, but even so, the idea that love could turn someone into a monster (with the rang of Jack the Ripper) is frightening. The idea that only 60 years ago reality and daily round were so harsh, that they would lead people to their animal instincts is horrifying.
This is no light book and this is no ordinary story and if you find it in yourself possible to "digest" it, you'll appreciate everything you ever took for granted and will be grateful for the family and friends you have.

P. S. I'm not slipping almost anything about the plot, because I don't want to ruin anything for you while reading. Once you finish the book, my last sentence will make a lot more sense... I promise.