12. The Journeys

Traveling was a true test of resilience. Communication challenges, fear of the unknown, harsh weather, treacherous trails, inadequate nutrition, physical exhaustion, illness, and the ever-present risk of bandit attacks or kidnappings were part of the daily reality on these grueling expeditions, which often spanned several days.

Caravans typically covered 30–40 kilometers per day. The journey from Thessaloniki to Kavala took four days, while reaching Constantinople required ten. Traveling from Western Macedonia to Vienna was an even greater undertaking, lasting approximately two months.