Greek Tragedy

It's the end of an era...my sandals that I have worn almost every day (weather permitting) since I went to Greece last year have died. I put them on after ballet class last week and while I was driving I felt something snap. When I got out of the car I looked down and saw nothing so I started walking and then sadly realized that they had broken. Well, they were only about $22 but they were the best sandals ever, they molded to my feet (as you can see in the photo). So comfortable, I almost cried.

Well, if I had to guess at what this means, I can clearly say, must be time to go to Greece again!

PS - they are still sitting by the back door today, like I could slide them right on and walk out and go on with my day, but I can't. I also can't take them to the garbage can. Sniff.

Dear Greece

Dear Greece,

It was one year ago that we first met. I can't believe time has gone by that fast. I wish you weren't so far way or I would come and visit you more often. Thanks for warming me with your sun, filling my belly with your food and surrounding me with so much love from your people.

I miss you and hope we can visit each other soon!

Until then, I will flip through my photos and remember all the good times we had.
Check them out here if you would like to take a peak and remember our visit together.

Thanks for showing me such a great time, you came to me at the right time in my life when I really needed a break from the norm.

Sincerely,
Katie

"The Eye"

After speaking to Christina on the phone on Sunday and her telling me the cut on my ankle was because I had "the eye" I decided to take some percautions at work since I already have a nazar (photo above) at home by my front door, I hung one in my office at work.

In Maltese, it is referred to as "l-għajn il-ħażina" (the bad eye) but it means the same across the board.

The evil eye is a belief that the envy elicited by the good luck of fortunate people may result in their misfortune. The perception of the nature of the phenomenon causes, possible protective measures, varies between different cultures.

In some forms, it is the belief that some people can bestow a curse on victims by the malevolent gaze of their magical eye. The most common form, however, attributes the cause to envy, with the envious person casting the evil eye doing so unintentionally. Also the effects on victims vary. Some cultures report afflictions with bad luck; others believe the evil eye can cause disease, wasting away, and even death. In most cultures, the primary victims are thought to be babies and young children, because they are so often praised and commented upon by strangers or by childless women. The late UC Berkeley professor of folklore Alan Dundes has explored the beliefs of many cultures and found a commonality — that the evil caused by the gaze is specifically connected to symptoms of drying, desiccation, withering, and dehydration, that its cure is related to moistness, and that the immunity from the evil eye that fish have in some cultures is related to the fact that they are always wet. His essay "Wet and Dry: The Evil Eye" is a standard text on the subject.

In many forms of the evil eye belief, a person — otherwise not malefic in any way — can harm adults, children, livestock, or a possession, simply by looking at them with envy. The word "evil" can be seen as somewhat misleading in this context, because it suggests that someone has intentionally "cursed" the victim. A better understanding of the term "evil eye" can be gained from the old English word for casting the evil eye, namely "overlooking," implying that the gaze has remained focused on the coveted object, person, or animal for too long.
While some cultures hold that the evil eye is an involuntary jinx cast unintentionally by people unlucky enough to be cursed with the power to bestow it by their gaze, others hold that, while perhaps not strictly voluntary, the power is called forth by the sin of envy.

Belief in the evil eye is strongest in the Middle East, East and West Africa, South Asia, Central Asia, and Europe, especially the Mediterranean region; it has also spread to other areas, including northern Europe, particularly in the Celtic regions, and the Americas, where it was brought by European colonists and Middle Eastern immigrants.

Among those who do not take the evil eye literally, either by reason of the culture in which they were raised or because they simply do not believe in such things, the phrase, "to give someone the evil eye" usually means simply to glare at the person in anger or disgust.

Attempts to ward off the curse of the evil eye have resulted in a number of talismans in many cultures. As a class, they are called "apotropaic" (Greek for "prophylactic" or "protective", literally: "turns away") talismans, meaning that they turn away or turn back harm.
Disks or balls, consisting of concentric blue and white circles (usually, from inside to outside, dark blue, light blue, white, dark blue) representing an evil eye are common apotropaic talismans in the Middle East, found on the prows of Mediterranean boats and elsewhere; in some forms of the folklore, the staring eyes are supposed to bend the malicious gaze back to the sorcerer.

Known as nazar (Turkisg: nazar boncuğu or nazarlık), this talisman is the most frequently seen in Turkey, found in or on houses and vehicles or worn as beads. I saw many of these in Greece, even on the horses! I love it!
A blue eye can also be found on some forms of the hamsa hand, an apotropaic hand-shaped amulet against the evil eye found in the Middle East. The word hamsa, also spelled khamsa and hamesh, means "five" referring to the fingers of the hand. In Jewish culture, the hamsa is called the Hand of Miriam; in Muslim culture, the Hand of Fatima.

Info. in blue compliments a la Wikipedia - click here for the complete link and information.

Dreamy Sleeping Quarters

Yes, I am a Greek Freak right now (give me time, it may pass, but I doubt it). Check out these sleeping quarters at this hotel in Santorini. They are INCREDIBLE. I can imagine retiring here after a long day of sunning myself with Tim. Warm shower, some ouzo and this breezy room would be the best way to end a day under the Greek sun. It will have to remain a dream though, these rooms are 520 euros/night during the off season! 25 euros during the off season (like in Zakynthos) is more my style.

I have said it before and I will say it again, a girls gotta have a dream...

Old School Candle Maker

Thought I would share a story about a candle shop in Patra that we visited while in Greece. They have supplied the local places of worship with their candles for 100 years (their anniversary is this year). The candle maker is a wiry, disheveled looking man who wore a sweatshirt covered in wax colors. The shop is incredible, they sell colored candles and candles with hand painted (with wax) designs on them but their specialty is the long beeswax and white candles that are used in most of the churches in the area - no electric flickering candles like in the US. I am assuming the bunches of candles wrapped in paper on the counter and in the cabinets are orders waiting to be picked up.

The candle man was so patient with us, let me take photos and gave Frankie a little beeswax candle to bend and play with as we walked around. The amazing thing about these candles are, you can fold them completely in half and they do not break. I didn't get the name of this little shop or the proprietor, but he was so nice and so helpful. We bought some holy essences and charcoal disks to burn it on. I was so amazed at this little shop, I did not see a computer anywhere to keep inventory, orders or anything, it was completely old school. The man was so nice, walked us to the door when he left and watched us walk down the street.

Manic Monday

This Manic Monday is a shout out to my girl Christina!
Stay tuned, next week we will be back to our regularly scheduled Manic Monday program.

Gratitude

Today is our last day in Patra and I am going to miss it. I love Christina and Christos like family. They have been so hospitable and generous, opening their home to me, letting me camp out in the basement and including me in everything during this trip. I am so thankful for the weekend getaway they took us on to Zakynthos, I was able to unplug and relax a bit for the weekend since we have been on the go most of the time. I don't know how I could ever have the means to repay Christina and Christos for their generousity during this trip, it has been incredible and I am forever grateful.
George and I got to know eachother pretty well during our trip to Zakynthos since I was in his car whenever we would go anywhere. I had hung out with him in the states before, but now he lives in Greece so I had many questions about his life now, etc. We both baked in the sun together and had fun on the car rides. He made stops on the street for me to look at sandals, bought Tim a soccer team shirt and made me laugh the entire time. George is the mafiosa brother you always wanted, a talker and always knows "a guy" for whatever you need. Cheers George!The entire Lichounas family has been so welcoming, sweet and again, generous. From family meals to gifts from Greece, they have welcomed me in like one of the family. Angeliki, Angela's Grandmother is not in the above photo, but I believe she derserves her own photo, she is 96 and was at the family meals at Maria and Christos house (Angela's Aunt and Uncle - Grandma lives with them). She has had a long life and I just loved looking at her thinking, what I am going to be like at 96? Incredible to see everyone all together.
I love you all and you will all be in my heart and mind with each day that passes. I will keep you all in my prayers and I know I will see you all again, so no good-byes, just farewell until next time...

PS - Thank you Greece, I love you, I love your people, your food, your weather, your beaches, your language. I love that everyone here thought I was Greek and would speak to me in Greek and I would look at them with a blank stare and it was OK. I love being in a place where I look like the people, you made me feel at home as like Malta, I fit right in. I'll be back.

Off to Athens

Going to Athens tomorrow.

Today is going to be a bit crazy with people coming over left and right to hang out and say good-bye. I was hoping for one more beach day, but will try to get some more sun today in the yard and play with Frankie in his little tub we can fill with water. It is going to be HOT.

We are leaving for Athens in the morning and then to check out the National Archaeological Museum (our hotel is around the corner) and then the Acropolis in the evening to avoid the super hot sun in the middle of the day. We will stay overnight and be off to the airport on Thursday morning. I am excited to see Tim and BayLee but am sad to leave this wonderful place. I can't wait to come back and explore some more. Shoot, I would come back and plant myself in Zakynthos for a couple weeks if I could. I may post from Athens, but if not, will post from stateside.

Back from Zakynthos

WOW....

That is about all I can say.

Here are some highlights:

• The ferry ride, I am like a little kid on a boat, have to walk around and check everything out.
• The color of the water blew my mind, I have never seen water like this before.
• The hotel pool/bar - frappes in sunchairs...yes please!
• Frankie's speedo
• "Sallaba Beach Horn!" - inside joke
• Mexican Food at a Greek restaurant, I ate Greek food
• The cook at the restaurant
• The drivers of the horse drawn carriages
• Cake on my leg
• Christos wanting to get into the pool the first night but couldn't because they added cholrine to it.
• Baby lizard in my hotel room
• St. Dionysius church - seeing his body after 400 years preserved in a glass tomb
• Walking 5 miles in the heat in Zakynthos town (maybe 2.5, felt like 5)
• Christina's ability to get us into the Byzantine ruins 20 minutes before they closed - awesome!
• Palm Reader machine
• Me drinking way too much carrot apple juice and getting sick - ooops!
• Taxi Driver (movie) with Greek subtitles
• George baking in the sun
• Peter, "what's up dude?"
• Diving off the end of the dock at St. Nicolas Beach with Angela and swimming back to shore
• Mistaking a moss covered rock at the bottom of the sea for a turtle and freaking out a little bit
• Laying in the sun spacing out watching the sea
• Eating at Windmill restaurant - the view was incredible
• Ferry back to Patra - talking with Peter about islands and the sea
• Singing with George and Peter on the way back to the house
• Sleeping in today after being drained by the sun
• Life is good and I am in heaven!

Zakynthos

Headed out to Zakynthos for the weekend! Be back Sunday night...
Shipwreck Beach, Turtles and Sun OH MY!

Rest and Relaxation

Today, I decided to take a day off from running around. I think it is important that Angela, her sister and Frankie have time alone with their Dad and Mavra. They went over there for lunch at around 2 PM and I stayed behind, pitting maribel's for jam Ang wants to make later. I sat outside on the veranda with a big bowl and a knife and went to town. It took me about an hour to get them done and then I popped them in the freezer so they won't turn brown and gross. I took a long shower with peppermint soap (very cooling) and went back outside to sit on the porch and then under the olive tree for a while. It is so hot, I had to get in the shade for a minute and take a break. I started watching "Momma Mia" on my ipod as well - so funny! Anyway, just hanging out here at the house alone, writing in my journal now and wanted to make a quick post. I am waiting for it to cool down this evening so I can water the lawn for Christos. Seriously, it is 5:00 PM right now and the sun is super high in the sky and it is 87 degrees outside - I love it. The last couple nights it seems like 7 PM and it is more like 10 PM, it stays lighter longer for sure and I could really get used to this life style. Like when I was in Malta, each day I think...how could I move here. Tim would love it, tennis year round and hot beach weather all the time as well. Hmmmm....

Meeting in the Ladies Room

I have to tell you about our little meetings each night - it started with me and Christina staying up until all hours of the night the first couple nights, and now it is the three of us since Angela has gotten somewhat caught up with sleep - the frappes help you stay up too! Saturday night was hilarious after the party we all started talking until about 1:30 AM, then said let's get ready for bed so we are all in the bathroom brushing our teeth, washing our faces, etc. and we start talking again IN THE BATHROOM for an hour and a half (Christina on the sink, Angela on the side of the tub and me sitting on the toilet) the next thing you know it is 3:00 AM. We had to break it up since one of us actually had to use the bathroom, so we decided to go back outside around the table, by the time we came inside it was 5:00 AM. Now we have a joke, "meet me on the veranda". Last night we were out there until about 3:15 AM. We get up at around 10-11 AM and then have our day in the sun and do it all over again. These nightly talks have been very good for all of us though. It is incredible the things you can learn from other women about life, marriage, sex, children, etc. These are not light coversations and I am cherishing every moment of them though because it is not something that you can do with every person in your life. There is something about being on vacation that makes you sort of shed your daily life skin and it allows you to reveal the real you with no distractions from the outside world - it makes for wonderful talks and many lessons being learned. Life does not give you an instruction manual, but if it did, I think for women it would say...once in a while you need to go to a foreign country where you cannot be reached unless you want to be reached, and just put it all out on the table with people you know and love. It has been very eye opening and good for all of us. When morning rolls around, we don't continue the conversation from the night before, one just always starts around midnight every night, could be a continuation of one of the nights before or it could be something entirely new. There are never any apologies for being the devil's advocate or not agreeing with someone either, which I super love. I have people in my life where there is constant judgement, competition or they try to challenge me or question my motives...that is not good for me, where is the love and support? What we are having here now is all 100% REAL - no judgement, no bullshit. I am full of such gratitude and feel so blessed to be here.

I have to give a shout out to Angela because last year in May, I had just found out that Vietnam was closing to US adoption and our adoption may be in the toilet and we went on a roadtrip to move her to Colorado - she took me out of my life then when I needed to get away and the same thing has happened this May as well. I was feeling very sad at home, depressed, overwhelmed from SO many things and the timing of this trip was perfect. I hope that one day I will be able to reciprocate in some way because these two escapes from life have been very healing and beneficial to me in so many ways. I don't know how to explain it, but that is the best I can do. I hope you catch my drift - timing is everything and I don't know how Angela does it, but the safty net she has put under me two May's in a row has been a life saver.

PS - trying to download photos here is a little slow, I may try more later tonight.

Day Trippin

Today we took a day trip to a small town over the bridge from Patra called Nafpaktos. There was a huge castle that looked over the sea and it was just beautiful up there. We stopped and had coffee and let Frankie walk around and workout little bit since he needs to burn off a lot of energy. We then went down to the waterfront and walked around there. This town reminded me so much of Sliema, Malta I could cry. It was just like it, turqouise water lapping up a slate colored shore. We saw lots of fortifications like Malta and fishing boats. We stopped along the sea and had lunch outside - calamari, Greek salad (real Greek salad), bread, shrimp and french fries. It was SUPER hot again today while we were out so we are now all ready to cool off for the evening.

Eurovision

Eurovision song contest is HUGE here - everyone here in Greece (especially the ladies) loves Sakis, he didn't win last night, but for the folks in the USA, you have to check this out...
People here are crazy for him - you should have seen everyone RUN to the livingroom last night to see his performance and screaming when he dances. Angela and I were just sitting laughing at his chest popping moves. I call him the Greek Ricky Martin. I love the passion of the people here, if they love something, they really love it and are not afraid to show it.
Enjoy this clip from the other night.

Sunny Saturday

Seriously, I know I said yesterday it was going to be cooler today - no way - it is 95 degrees!
It is siesta time and we are just lounging, drinking frappe (Christos is drinking ice cold ouzo) and sitting outside getting ready to put up tables for the party tonight.
Slept until Noon today after being up until 3 in the morning with both Angela and Christina.

By the way - we all have nicknames (Frankie names) here:

• Katie - Tsi-see
• Christina - Eena
• Christos - Toto (like the dog in the Wizard of Oz)

The lamb has arrived and is going on the spit soon along with some other meat. It will be covered with lemon, oregano and garlic and cooked over a fire for about 3-4 hours. I think there is going to be about 20 people here. I believe it is going to be another long night, but tomorrow is Sunday and everything is closed, so we will have some down time unless we go to the beach. One thing Greece has similar to Malta - mixing red wine with Sprite - Christina did it last night and I was laughing so hard because they do that at the Maltese Club.

Anyway - I am out of here - getting ready to help set up for the party!

Beach Day

Today we went to the beach!

It was incredible! Weather is great - HOT, HOT, HOT - tomorrow it may cool down a little so today was the perfect day to get some sun. A nice rest after staying up until 3:15 AM with Christina talking at the table outside last night and then getting up early this morning. Whatever, I am on vacation and am so happy, this trip couldnt have come at a better time.

How many people can you fit into a compact car/hatchback in Greece? Try 6! Serioulsy, we did it today, it was hilarious. Christos and I were in front, Christina, Frankie and Angela in the back and Peter in the trunk/hatchback part (Peter is Christos second cousin and soooo cute).

Back at home now, with a lightly baked crust from the beach and getting ready for dinner. Tomorrow will be busy, we are having a party tomorrow night here at the house so we will all be getting ready - I can't wait. My nights here have been epic, staying up with Christina outside talking and smoking (yes, I am on vacation)! We are waiting for Angela to get caught up with sleep and Frankie back on a schedule and she will soon be roped in on the all night talk fests.

A shout out to my sister Emily, get on a plane pronto and get your booty here! You would love it and we are missing the other piece of the sisterhood of the traveling Mediterranean's. Opa!

Ahhh Greece...

I think I posted from Malta once with this same title. It's the Med., it makes you sit back and say "ahhhh...".
Anyway, day one here has been so great!
Last night we had pita for dinner with souvalki (soov-lah-kee again with the spelling, it's all Greek to me), tomatoes, onion, tzatziki and frech fries! Anywhere that puts french fries on a sandwich is good in my book. We stayed up pretty late drinking beer and hanging out at the dinner table on the veranda. Angela's Dad (Savvas) was here most of the evening and Mavra arrived later (his wife) followed by George (brother) who worked until 10 PM and then came over. Frankie was asleep, but the adults stayed up around the table talking - it was so nice to see Angela with her brother and sister hanging out with their Dad. I thought I would feel a little out of place, being the one person not in the family, but I am fitting in just great and it helps that I have met everyone except Mavra and Christos in the past and we have all hung out before. After Savvas and Mavra went home Christos went to bed and the gals and George stayed up chatting. Angela then decided to go to sleep, George went home and Christina and I brought up the rear and stayed up until about 12:30-1 AM. With almost no sleep and lots of beer, it was pretty funny. I slept so good. Read about one page of my book and passed out until 11 AM today.
When I got up Christina was up, Christos (it's his Birthday today) was out running errands and the others were sleeping still. Low and behold Angela and Frankie slept until almost 2 PM! Good for them, I think after tonight we will all be caught up with sleep. I know I could use some more but don't want to miss anything, eventhough I missed siesta today and ran errands, but it was fun! I saw downtown Patras with Christina - we drove Savvas and Mavra home (they came by this morning for a couple hours). It was nice to see the city and the old fortress. Believe it or not, the city reminded me of places in Vietnam, the building style, the narrow streets and don't get me started on the rules of the road here, because there arent any. Frankie spent the afternoon riding his new bike - motorbike thing that you push a button and it drives itself - how on earth does he know how to steer it without ever having riden one before? Must be a boy thing. Most of today has been spent lounging on the veranda, it is HOT!

As I write it is about 8 PM and we are getting ready to have a BBQ for dinner, Christos' Mom came over and brought him a beautiful Birthday cake that we will have later. Perhaps George will come over later as well when he is done with work - we will see. Angela is getting Frankie ready for bed, he had a busy afternoon riding his bike, feeding the chickens (behind the house) and running around the front yard kicking the ball. We are trying to get him back on a schedule starting with bed tonight on time.

Anyway, I am giving a complete run down in case Ang can't update her blog as much because I know Brian is reading and maybe others who want to know the play by play.

Brian, I have to tell you that I installed the car seat with Angela today and you would be proud, I cranked that thing so tight in there (not as tight as you do, I am sure) but we did a good job! Had to let you know, I think it would pass your inspection.

Tomorrow the beach, I think, depends on how late we all sleep again. Today all we got up too late but needed the sleep. I think next weekend we are going to one of the islands Zakinthos (I spelled it like it sounds).

OK, going back to sit at the table on the veranda, I love that everything happens outside here! I am in for a rude awakening when I get home and have no where to sit outside at my place.
Christina is the best hostess ever, I love her to pieces!

Until next time...

PS - for those of you who want photos, I can't post them. I need the CD to my camera in order for this computer to load the driver, I tried the drivers on the computer and Canon is not listed, neither is Sony (Angela's camera). Poo! UPDATE - problem solved - the USB port we were tryig was not working, Christos is the MASTER.

We Made It!

Denver to Toronto = 3.5 hour flight
Toronto to Frankfurt = 7.5 hour flight
Frankfurt to Athens = 2.45 hour flight
Athens to Patras = 2.5 hour drive

Arriving in one piece, luggage in all, priceless.
Drinking my first frappe made by Christos incredible.
Ready to swim tomorrow in the sea and party for Christos birthday on Saturday - so many amazing things to look forward to.

I am beat, need to shower and drink more frappes!
I will keep blogging when I can - there is a computer here at Christina and Christos' house.

PS - please do not mind the misspellings, everything comes up as misspelled, it is a Greek computer!

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

Leaving on a plane tonight for CO - overnight there and off to Greece tomorrow morning.

What a Week

Geeze, already Saturday!
Work has been a little nuts to say the least. On top of a crazy work week, I had jury duty all last week so every evening I would have to call in and see if I had to report the next day (with fingers and toes crossed of course, I did not want to miss a day at the office this week). Anyway, in the end I never got called in! Thank God!
Anyway, this weekend is going to consist of running around - already went and got my luggage out of storage, going to Target to get some last minute toiletries and going to do my laundry.
I will blog from Greece so if I don't post until then...sit tight.
Wish us safe and smooth flights and say a little prayer for us while we travel.

Three days until Greece!