A Breath of Foreign Air

Visits from my family always light up my life.  They bring a breathe of fresh air, another way of looking at this place and these people I live with.  We can laugh together at the oddities, puzzle over the differences in cultures and I enjoy the everyday customs with them.  Coffee at the green chairs with cheese pies and sesame rolls.  No, actually we didn't share any sesame rolls this time.  So much food to try, so little time.

Some very traditional people always keep up the high standard of hospitality by which the greeks are known.  K is proud of his culture, his country and will always outdo himself showing our honoured guests the best of our small island, our fresh, healthy cuisine, our enjoyment of life and make sure they are treated everywhere with respect and 'philoxenia', the unspoken law of generosity and courtesy.   He will go out of his way to make sure they are never hungry or thirsty and always comfortable in our home or wherever they may stay.

We are comfortable with our visitors as well.  Most of them have been before and know the score.  A back yard full of rubbish and a tiny bathroom in need of a bit of TLC doesn't put them off.  It's all part of that parcel.  Their duty free booze served on the balcony under the greek skies with views of the olive groves make up for any shortcomings.

My brother Paul and my sis in law Karen have been to visit us in Greece many, many times.  On their first visit we were both (sis in laws) pregnant with our first child. Those children are now 28 going on *0.  Sorry Im not allowed to say their exact age but those children now have their own children. 

 They have flown up from a land down-under (Australia) for weddings, baptisms, in mid summer and, bravely, in mid winter.  They have stayed in all our funny little houses and actually seem to enjoy every experience.  

Experience being the word.  Something always happens to make their stay remarkable.  This time it was

- the unexpected and lengthy power cut 

- their being moved out from their long booked hotel for one night in a next door pension

- almost having their credit card eaten up by a bank machine.  Mine was eaten up and then K's was too much to his extreme annoyance and all the yelling in the world couldn't get it back till the next morning

- and finally gale force winds which stopped all shipping on the day  they had to travel to Athens  to fly out

All part of the Poros adventure for these veterans

Food and drink are most important and the slogan around here is 'faï, faï'.  Eat, eat!!  On our first evening we dined beside the sea at the taverna we take everyone to.  They've been there before.

There was octopus and grilled fish, kalamari. meatballs, greek salad and a load of other dishes I cannot even remember.  Far too much as usual.  

Next morning

Coffee and cheese and spinach pies at the Green Chairs

We don't have to site-see with these two.  They've seen ancient Epidavros Theatre and trooped over the 2,500 year old stone bridge, walked over the Corinth Canal and eaten lamb chops at our favourite country taverna

Mid September and still warm enough to swim and sunbathe

We had a few showers one morning but a few hours later they were at the beach again

End of Part 1