Goodbye

At the beginning of the summer I had hoped that I could manage to go on a short trip with a friend or two, maybe a short vacation to an island in Cyclades, but as time went by I saw that I couldn't afford a vacation. So, I had two options, either to be miserable and spend the summer as usual, repeating the same old routine, or make the most of the situation. I decided on the second.
So, I exploited every opportunity that came by: I went out a lot, even with people I hardly knew, I explored the nearby mountains and the sea, I spend nearly a month at my parents' seaside village to compensate for the unaffordable vacation, I went to a theatrical play and a music concert, I visited Delphi under the moonlight, I had a few lovely nights at the open air cinemas, spent time with my family and friends, crafted and took part in an exhibition,  and of course I swam a loooot! It turned out to be a full, lovely summer, can't complain at all. Mostly I'm happy, because I had such memorable times simply due to the change of mind of mine.

Pizza Margarita at the beach! I got stung by a bee because of it, but I forgot totally about the pain the moment I had a bite!

Homemade lemonade and fresh fruit after the swim

Today, the last day of my holidays was spent with my cousin by the seaside with good chatting and good food and a nice film to celebrate the end of the season of the open air cinema. The film was Monsieur Lazard and it kind of prepared me for tomorrow, as it referred to school.  

Tomorrow will be the first day at school. The pupils won't be in until the 11th. I can't say that I had ever been eager going back to work, but now, thinking about the unemployment in Greece, makes me really grateful that I have a job to go back to. 
So, for all these reasons, I can definitely say with content goodbye summer, hello fall!
And a happy week to you all!

Pilgrimage

Delphi under the full moon.

 

 

Apollo's Temple under the moonlight

 Walking barefoot the Sacred Way.

Shhhh…

PS. All archaeological sites are open to the public one night every year: on August's full moon. As Delphi is a major one and an hour drive from my parents', I just had to be there.

Fresh

I know that my postings have been revolving around the sea, but I can’t help it! I spend most of the day at the beach, even now that I’m visiting my parents, and I still can’t get enough! I just hope you are not bored, yet! 

The first outing with my mum was a swim at a nearby beach, which from above reminded me of the beaches I saw during my last visit to Mani (an area on the south of the Peloponnese) . The area is mountainous, so the waters are green as the plants are reflected in them and there is a lot to explore where the mountains meet the sea. 

So, we put on our goggles and ended up with some delicious findings in our bags: fresh urchins! We sat on the rocks under the sun and had the most delish seafood meal! Their subtle flavor stayed in our mouths for hours. 

What about you?

 Do you pick sea treasures to eat on the spot? 

Have you ever tasted urchins?

PS. As I don't have internet access (I'm posting at a cafe) here at the village, I'm afraid that I won't be able to keep a good track of your postings, as I can only spend a specific amount of time here. I promise that I'll do my best to pop in now and then to catch up with you and leave a comment, though.

100 years

Remember the lake where I had a picnic with my girlfriends last autumn? Well, it's a really young lake, just 100 years old! Celebrating Lake Tsivlos's 100 birhday, there were events in order last Monday so we headed to the mountains!

Mount Helmos

Our first stop was Peristera, the lovely village I told you about in my Pink posting for two reasons: first to pay a visit to my godfather who stays there for the summer in a dreamy country house and second because I had to see those wonderful hydrangeas again and show them to my friends. 

The old church, Agios Ioannis

An old house at the square

We strolled around the old church then we went to the square for tsipouro and mezedes under the platanus.

Chatting under the giant platanus

Perfect: meatballs, roasted potatoes and stuffed courgette flowers!

Στην υγειά σας! Cheers!

We also had an unexpecet guest: a grey horse that insisted on joining us!

Here it comes!

'What's in your bag? '

Then we headed to the lake, where there was a music concert with local bands. It was lovely! 

The music was wonderful and there was lots of dancing under the full moon that reflected on the still lake. 

The full moon rising behind the mountains...

Magical...

Pink

One flower I love and can't grow no matter what is hydrangeas. It must be the climate, as almost noone grows them here. So, whenever I come across them, while travelling, I feel really excited and lucky!

Last month I went hiking up on the mountains with friends and headed to a small village's square for refreshment after that. It is most common in Greece to find a square with an old platanus (plane tree) right in the middle of every village.

But, to my surprise, we sat at the kafenio (traditional greek coffee place) not only under a giant platanus , but surrounded by numerous pots of hydrangeas in every shade of pink, as well! I felt I was in paradise! It was the most lovely noon I could had spent! Friends, laughs, tsipouro and mezedakia under the shade and into the pink!

How about you? Are you one of the lucky ones who grow hydrangeas?

Α hint

Do you know of a train that takes you to a magical place where fairies dance above the waters and girls hop on the rails?

Well, I took it today...

So far

Just a quick posting to say a big thanks to the friends who have already posted their entries for the BAKE & TASTE GREEK event. I was out all day long and when I came home I found a wonderful surprise online: three new entries that made me really happy! I hope there'll be more until the deadline on the 25th!
I'm leaving you with a photo I took on Sunday. I'll tell you all about in the next posting. 

Happy Tuesday!

Il papiro

It was love at first sight. I had just walked through the Ponte Vecchio bridge hurrying my way to Pallazzo Strozzi, browsing to all the shops when this one caught my eye and delayed my visit to the palazzo. Not for long...only for and enjoyable 1 1/2 hour!

 Introducing one of my most favourite shops in Florence, Italy: Il papiro, a heaven for those who love stationary and classic style, specializing in marbleized papers, which is said to be one of the traditional crafts in Firenze.

I was overwhelmed by the colours of the marbleized paper with their endless variety of patterns, a wide range of notebooks, wax stamps, invitations and envelopes as I was wandering around the different rooms. 

Finally, I came across a series of woodblock print posters lying before me! I loved them! 

I was told by a most kind gentleman who worked there, that they were made by pressing wooden blocks on paper repeatedly so as to make a pattern. I was also told about how they try to track down reinassance wooden blocks in bazaars or at the most unexpected places in order to duplicate and use them to print paper.

I couldn't refuse his interesting stories or the posters, so I finally chose two for my walls.

It took me half an hour to decide, so I can only imagine how long it will take me to frame them! Nothing yet, let me tell you.

I was also lucky to see a demonstration of how marbleized paper is made.It's quite a simple yet impressive process that entails delicate moves by the craftman.I would love to mix colours and be able to make paper like that one day!

Slipping away

Days slip away so quickly lately...Correcting tests, marking, cleaning,organizing the house, crafting, visiting friends, planning...not a still moment. Not any. Still, if I close my eyes, I can freeze time and be there again. 

Where?

Here!

Wishing everyone a relaxing, warm & cozy weekend! 

Ccini, ccini,cantuccini!

A Tuscany delight...a crunchy treat, almondy and fragrant.

I was wandering through the streets of Firenze, when suddenly I was drawn by a smell. What a smell! A whole street was filled with that warm, cozy smell of baking. I immediately got into the bakery  (recommended on trip advisor, but didn't know at that time, now I know why) and saw that they only sold cantuccini. As it's customary in Italy- I guess because they're so proud and confident of their cuisine, who wouldn't be?-, they urged me to try one. Then came another...and another...and another dipped in a glass of vin santo...I ended up having tasted all their flavours and of course eaten a proper cantuccuni meal! I couldn't choose between the classic with the almond and the more modern versions of chocolate chips, chocolate and orange or with figs.

 I loved them all, and having tasted others during my staying I couldn't help but buy some, as they tasted the best.

Cantuccini are very common in Firenze, you can find them from bakeries to supermarkets, varying in quality and taste of course, and even though they're mentioned in travel guides -not always a good sign- I noticed that they're far from a tourist attraction, as Italians bought them a lot. 

Mine filled my bag with their sweet smell during the trip and brought me back there when I enjoyed them at home.  

Do you bring back tastes from your trips? Any special treat you brought back that you'll always remember?