Greece
GREECE, MEDITERRANEAN, EUROPE
CHRISTINA
I am 100% Greek-American. My mother was born in Sparta and emigrated to the United States when she was around 11 years old. My father is 1.5 generation American – his father was born in Kastoria, his mother, Kastorian, but born in the United States. In addition to being raised Greek (just like the movie!) I went to Greek school twice a week after school to learn Greek language and practices and participated in my culture heavily in a multitude of ways both ceremonial and day-to-day. I’ve been lucky to travel to Greece 4 times in my life; this will be my 5th visit – by no means a first-timer but compared to many Greek-Americans I know who go every summer this is barely a mark.
I’ve always dreamed of going to stay longer than a few weeks and really immersing myself in the culture. In the last year of the planning for our wedding I have been revisiting the cultural and religious practices of my people while simultaneously explaining them to my husband. In doing so, I have been re-immersed in the depth of my culture and its impact on others and I’m excited to be there. I also have a true intrigue into the ancient culture of my homeland, especially as it relates to healing and mysticism; what will I uncover? Finally, I'm especially interested in the latest economic situation as Greece has been all over the news with their recent financial crisis.
JULIO
This journey spawned a love affair with Greece that seeped into our bones that only seems to intensify with every moment. The people, culture and breathtaking scenery of the Mediterranean seems to always be calling us back to its sun soaked shores and white washed architecture. This would be a major pilgrimage for Christina being the place of origin of her family and also lead to much joy for me since everyone would seem to think I was the Greek one. The villages, laid back coffees in the town squares, the food, the really delicious beer I feel in love with, the friendly and warm Greek people and the scenery! It was all simply spectacular. Luckily my looks, Spanish Language training and acting skills allowed me to pass for Greek at times and then it felt like the doors really opened.
Men seem to have an exclusive club here where if you simply lazily nod your head and utter a swarthy half greeting they all return the gesture with carefully measured yet honest enthusiasm. Greek women are GORGEOUS, strong and got the attitude thing down. The men are also good looking, manly, bearded and super cool. Not really much of a hipster thing going on in Greece as it is my guess it is simply not masculine enough. Music is everywhere and would become a big part of our experience. This tends to be a new unit of measurement when traveling the world indicating if a place is alive or dead: Is there music playing? Every cafe, bar, store, restaurant was playing contemporary Greek hits, tropical house or new lounge covers. They were not all connected but seemed to be coming from a unified field of Greek National Muzak service. Amazing.
The food. My god the food. Greek food is simple, stripped down vegetables, olive oil, grains, fish, wine but when it is done well it is just the best damn thing on the planet. I never really thought "baked goods" and thought Greece, but they would take such a hold of me I would grow another ass by the end of the trip. The pastries (they call pitas) are made with cheese and there is this thing called Bougastsa....good lord. Not a huge meat eater either but they don't really take no for an answer in Greece, so I did try incredible oven-roasted lamb and stuffed grape leaves that I will never forget in my life. They were so good.
From the many island groups to the Peloponnese, Greece is ripe with history, kindness, cultural pride and culinary deliciousness. Talking to the people when asking them how things are you do learn more about the fact that things are also not perfect due to the ongoing recession, corruption and garnishing of pensions which have all taken a toll on the resilient spirit of the proud people. Like most of Europe, Greece is also dealing with a a massive refugee influx from the Middle East and growing xenophobia as their own needs are not always being met by their government and EU. Add the phenomenon of many other more wealthy Europeans coming to holiday, retire and buy property in Greece this can makes for a precarious situation for locals watching their homeland change rapidly without much opportunity or forward financial mobility.
Photoshoots around every corner in the Cycladic island chain.
Ruins are all over the place that transport you back to a past rife with history and magic
The main mode of transportation within the island chains are ferries from island to island.
GREEK SALAD or Horiatiki Salata...we may have consumed two of these a day. NO lettuce. Just simple red onions, the BEST tomatoes, green peppers, olives, olive oil, oregano and FETA cheese.
The Greeks eat a lot of souvlaki or grilled meat with pita bread served with tzatziki or yogurt sauce. Super affordable and delicious.
Greek dancing is such an integral part of the culture; there are festivals everywhere especially in the summer. One of the most popular TV shows on basic cable is of people Greek dancing and drinking for hours live.
Each day begins with coffee and sweets, guaranteed. The Greeks are serious about their coffee time. You don't see people in the morning, afternoon or night without them. Smoking cigarettes is also still very popular and Greek breakfast seems to be coffee and a cigarette.
Meet the PITA. A filo wrapped spinach, cheese or other filling wrapped delicacy that can easily be taken on the go. The center of every Greek town is the bakery that produces these treats. We got fat eating these and developed quite a taste and expertise on them.
BOUGATSA - That is all.
