The start of the 2017 Year in earnest.

 

or

 

HAPPY EASTER.

 

So here we are at that time that should be for selfless acts - helping others by the things that one does -- without thinking of one's self-- no alteria motives, nothing of personal gain---

 

Oh Except these of course---- lots of these------

 

 

But as I sit in our Avli in Kardia, Aegina , Greece for the easter -

 

 

 

 celebrations we must remember as to the origins which include amazing celebrations and processions like these---

 

There will follow on the stroke of midnight on Easter Saturday the marvellous smiling faces and warm congratulations to everyone that Christ has Risen -- accompanied by a Cacophony of fire works and some very loud bangers everywhere--- and these appear to go on for days afterwards.

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty amazing as long as you are not the recipient of a thunder flash right behind you-- there is the issue of a lot of --lets say -- a little more mature people who might just be a little susceptable to the odd heart tremor when shocked and trust me that these will do that -- just need to make sure that there is a Doctor in the crowd.

 

For those who may never have done a Greek Easter will not know about the tradition of a special meal after the church service , that is specifically designed around the fact that there may have been a lot of fasting  up to that point -- some will follow the expectations of the church and fast for 40 days and 40 nights , without meat , and dairy products --- so I believe that the idea is that the meal is light enough to satisfy those that have a considerably shrunken stomach, and the main meal is called -- don't shoot me for the spelling--- Margericha---

 

 

It really is delicious

 This is accompanied by playing Tsougrisma with cracking the red eggs. The idea is to symbolise the opening of the tomb to release Jesus and the red dye is for the Blood of Christ. Whatever the history , this is great fun an d always accompanies the a lot of bravado and not a little cheating ( or a veiled attempt anyway).

 

After the finish of these festivities around 2am on the Sunday , it is followed by the having to get the lamb roasting on a spit from around 7am on the Sunday morning. it is normally a male thing with guys drifting in throughout the morning telling the host what he is doing wrong-- I am amazed at just how many experts there are here in Greece, on how best to cook the Lamb ( or is it Goat ) :-) .

 

 

And here is one of those experts that I know so well.

 

 

Mr Kostas Antoniou -- someone who is very important in Lynda and my lives for many years, and many a Pascha has been held in this place , that included one year when after much Aspro Cresse , ( white wine), and some very average Greek Dancing there wasn't a whole plate remaining in his and his neighbours houses-- it is another Greek thing , but always best to keep some sugar plates in the house just in case the master decides that he needs to break a few for luck.

 

So that's it for now , Charlotte and Terry on their way , everything in readiness, and a whole calendar full of things to do this week for their wedding here in Aegina in August during next week-- but first the celebration.

 

 

 

OOPA.