Sunday, September 26, 2010

Jazzmin

Music mingles with low clouds pouring over Chora, shrouding Steve as he plays with his new ipod. Veronique, a young interpreter with the United Nations, sips white wine with her boiled egg breakfast. Bright bunches of cherries dangle from Sandra's ears as she cooks in the underground kitchen. Later she will transform a piece of fabric into a work of art in her small room at the windmills. An elderly man from Vienna wears a unique hat created from white surgical mesh to protect the injury he sustained two days ago. Two Greek women at the next table share gossip in whispery tones. They are not happy to have him so close, suspecting that he is an unbalanced tourist.  Meanwhile he quietly sips a coffee and smiles at them.

Inside Eva perches on a bar stool, talking with Kallyroi about her trips to Ethiopia and Nepal. Originally a Marine Biologist, she has lately diverted her interest and energy to reforestation around the globe. Kallyroi listens attentively but her mind is distracted by the challenge of preparing a dinner for 12-15 people this afternoon.

In the corner, quiet as a mouse, sits an old woman. She has finished her daily breakfast of coffee and bread but often lingers to listen and watch. The cafe owners do not expect her to pay.

Behind the bar Theo prepares coffees and teas, adjusts the mellow music and greets customers. People return year after year for the pleasure of sharing time 
with him. He is welcomed into customers' homes around the world during his winter travels.

The daytime atmosphere in the cafe is transformed in the evening when Yorgos takes over from Theo behind the bar. Music is upbeat, encouraging dancers to spin and twirl to a salsa beat. Voices become louder. Locals and visitors share the energy. Around 5am the last customer pays and stumbles home. Yorgos cleans and prepares the cafe for Theo's arrival at 8am.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Full Moon


Dinner at Katina's before celebrating the Full Moon.
The island of Amorgos is behind us.


Last night's dinner of fish soup and salads.
My photo theme this year is culinary sharings.


Everyone was there! A full moon kept slipping behind transparent clouds, 
exposing herself shyly from time to time to the revellers 
who had gathered to celebrate her glow.

We kissed and hugged, first one cheek, then the other with each new arrival. 
Elpida, Sophie, Mereille, Gerry, Deela, Mariella, Vivi, Alexandra, Dimitris, 
Thanos, Anastasia, Demetris, Andre, Sarita, Yorgia, Manolis, Michael Anne, 
Mimis, Andrea, Sandra, Veronique, Alexander, Jenny, Igor. 
By midnight there were almost one hundred gathered from around the island.

Theo was the DJ for this celebration in Tholaria. World music surrounded us. 
We spilled outside, into the courtyard, onto the road and the stone wall. 
The moon peeked out from the clouds, watching as we talked, laughed and danced.

On the drive back to Chora, goats littered the road, refusing to move from their sleepy positions. 
The moon had retired before us when we climbed into bed at 3:30am.







Thursday, September 23, 2010

The first day on Amorgos

We arrived on Amorgos at 2am after a windy, rocky trip. Booking a cabin was a great idea! It gave us the opportunity to doze and read during the nine hour sailing.

Kallyroi, along with Alexandra and Miguel, greeted us with warm hugs at the dock. The crammed little car was filled with chatter and laughter all the way back to Chora where we finally threw ourselves into bed at 3am!

It was after 11am when we climbed the pathway to Jazzmin for breakfast. Theo welcomed us with big hugs. It was a steady flow of visitors for the next two hours, some known from before and some newcomers.

In the afternoon we picked up our rental car from Evi and drove down to Katapola for groceries and a visit to Caramel, the new cafe operated by our friend Armelle. During our visit with her, a hairdresser arrived to trim her hair in the cafe!
After a much needed nap in the late afternoon we returned to Jazzmin for the evening. Apparently everyone wants to cook a dinner for "the group" in the underground kitchen, so they have set up a schedule for the next week. Small cafe tables were joined together for eighteen of us to share an amazing meal. Andre and Silvie made ragou on rice for the first dish, Vivi prepared stuffed melatzana(eggplant) with a bechamel topping for the second dish and Andrea created a decadent chocolate mousse with sliced pears for dessert. Wow!!

I decided to give myself a gift during this meal. Normally I would be helping with setup, cleanup, etc but I gave myself the gift of sitting, enjoying and not feeling any guilt. It will be my turn in the kitchen next week!!

After dinner the tables were cleared away, the music was turned up and the dancing began. Jazzmin was overflowing with energy. We danced, shared stories and by 1am it was time for the walk home. The wind had settled and the moon was almost full.





Tuesday, September 21, 2010

HOT!....HOT!...HOT!

The view from our Hotel rooftop last night!

Monday, September 13, 2010

A fun nite!

Brian brought his award winning beans
Diana brought her first pair of hand knitted socks
Marg arrived with wine
Lucy with a swollen hand
Heather and Meg with photos of their princess float!
What a fun nite!!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Beware!

Someone skimmed our account for $400 on Wednesday...in Vancouver. Thankfully the security system through the Credit Union picked up on it right away so my debit card was cancelled. After signing an affidavit stating that I did not share my pin number or banking info with anyone, the Credit Union reimbursed our account immediately. I am grateful that it didn't happen while we were travelling! Whew!!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Greek Lessons

philosophy

tavli (backgammon)

bread kneading

almond husking

We have learned many valuable lessons during our visits to Greece,
but, the biggest challenge has always been the language.
Two months ago, I started a Rosetta Stone online language course in Greek.
It is hugely challenging!! I wish that I had the flexible mind of a three year old!
There has been a barrage of expletive-deletives during the lessons
as my frustration has far outweighed any successes!
When we return to Greece on September 19th, I will be able to ask "what is that?"