Eva-Redi
zizani with a twist
Reged: Wed
Posts: 1184
Loc: Adelaide, South Australia
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Travel Chronicles & Lasting Impressions of Greeks (and the Greek diaspora):
What each of us sees and experiences on our travels to selected destinations varies extensively - to be sure.
What appeals, motivates or captures the attention of each tourist in a sense depends on their expectations and what they're looking for during their travels - what they stumble upon or happen to 'bump' into unexpectedly, along the way - and where the visitors are 'coming from', who they are (for we are all but mere products of our own environments, afterall). Our familial, social and cultural backgrounds bear heavily upon our views and subsequently influence our impressions.
How each traveler manages to convey their own accounts and personalized portrayals of a distant, nearby or foreign land is interesting enough - but it is the flair of expression, a contrast of viewpoints, and the creative imagination of individual travelers that is by far the most intriguing.
Below is a fine example of some alternative impressions that have been documented by a Greek-Aussie girl on a recent holiday in Italy. Whilst boyz exchange predictable views on the current soccer play-offs occurring throughout Europe, this 'koritsaki' sees the Greece vs Italy debate from a very different perspective ...
Koritsi Stin Athina - GREECE VS ITALY!
(source: www.greekcity.com.au )
No I'm not talking about the Euro soccer games that will take over the next 3 weeks of any Greeks life, I'm talking about why I was away for a couple of weeks as I gallivanted around in Italy. Thinking I'm a cool European with my new passport and proximity to the centre of the world, a sweet 2hours Athens to Rome - rather than 24 hour flights to get anywhere decent!
It's a common misconception that Italy and Greece have a lot in common, but as we were landing in Rome all I could see were these beautiful green pastures with charming farmhouses. It was the nature that gave it away. There was no dryness, none of the raw nature you see all throughout Greece. I then realized that this point of difference in the nature of the land exists as a difference in the culture and the people. Italians are more calm and 'flowing' whereas the Greeks are rough and spontaneous!
So what do you think I was most excited about? No it's not the strip of designer stores, but rather the sidewalks that existed alongside these stores. Yes Rome actually has nice big footpaths, I wasn't forced to walk in the middle of narrow cracked concrete! As the only thing we did was walk through this ancient city, and notice the Greek influences of course. It was nice to see how the Italians had maintained their old buildings. It made me sad to think of the jungle that is Athens and the potential that has been lost due to lack of preservation!
I got over that though when we were out to eat at 10pm, you know have a shower and relax before a tasty meal of pizza and pasta, and we were the last customers in the restaurant. Are you serious 10pm? Across the Mediterranean Greeks are just leaving the house for dinner and yet the Romans are snoozing in their non balconied apartments! As for bars, the only thing we found in central Rome were pub crawls run by young Aussies!
Maybe the Italians were just too busy with their espresso's and downing as many as possible for the mere price of 80cents, to worry about actually sitting down and enjoying a frappe for 5 hours. What do I mean? There was no cafe culture in sight, yes there was a coffee culture - great coffee, but Italians were not calling up their friends saying "let's go for coffee", the piazzas were full of tourist traps. Sit down, watch people, hang with friends, cafes: I missed the buzz of streets lined with cafeterias. So close yet so far ... perhaps some wood-fired pizzas and fresh pasta in Greece and id be in paradise ...
Greek beach bars, sidewalk cafes and tavernas - - pure indulgence. A zest for playing outdoors at every opportunity - tends to be associated with 'die hard' Greeks (φραπέ is simply the optional, added bonus).
 
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Βρήκες ακατάλληλη στιγμή να με ανταμώσεις. Eγώ δεν έχω τίποτα, πάλι σου το θυμίζω. Mια καρδια μου έμεινε ♥ παρ’την, σου την χαρίζω. Δεν έχω όνειρο, ούτε φτερά για να πετάξω ...
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Eva-Redi
zizani with a twist
Reged: Wed
Posts: 1184
Loc: Adelaide, South Australia
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I thought I'd also share with you a personal blog - my own private journey & lasting impressions of Crete >
A private journey - by the shores of Crete
Eureka ('Το Βρήκα' ... στο Αιγαίο)! Finally discovering that special spot, your very own haven - a secret 'getaway' - - - amidst the ancient ruins of a Venetian fortress, quaintly located by the picturesque shoreline of a highly animated, exotic Greek Island. What a rare find - and such a private journey it was, there in Crete!
An unsuspecting retreat - nestled alongside the bustling bay of a very inviting little port - overflowing with boats, yachts and local fishermen. Well ... this might describe the visual setting of a very popular tourist destination within the Mediterranean (to some extent), however this particular Venetian fortress by the Hrakleion Harbour (better known as 'Koules') was to become a favourite spot and regular retreat for myself and my Greek-born partner, during a previous holiday in Crete. The adventures, the precious times spent together and the many experiences shared with the locals (over time) slowly formed yet another, alternative story of the fort's well documented history.
On my very first visit to the 'Koules', I was provided with a formal tour of the fortress by my well-informed partner. This was just the beginning. A brief introduction and preliminary encounter to a 'mystical hiding-spot' of his was about to unfold; a special location that was apparently frequented over the years as he grew up in the surrounding region of Hrakleion, Crete.
This coastal Venetian fortress, historically set to protect and overlook the town of Hrakleion, invites tourists to stroll along its quaint, sandy pathway that stretches out toward the ocean and over the surrounding aquamarine waters of the Aegean. The stony exterior of the fortress prominently features a series of imbedded 'lookouts' (or portholes) evenly posted around its entire base. There was certainly more to see inside - but what I was about to experience was 'something else'. My partner urged me to be brave and aim toward a particular lookout sitting just above seal-level, on the other side. An arched porthole, a stony window not quite submerged as yet - by the gradually rising tide.
We made our way along the well trodden pathway and around the external walls of the fortress towards a spot where the trail suddenly ended and subsequently merged onto the sandy shore. Gentle waves splashed at our feet. Going beyond this point would have been a 'non-event' for the normal, sane tourists - for this was a cluttered harbour whose waters suddenly ran deep. However, being the adventurous, quite spirited (and characteristically impulsive) person that I am, I agreed to begin the risky journey toward the momentous lookout. We climbed along the rock-face of the fortress wall (starkly hovering above the sea), around the many weaving corners and headed toward that magnificent, deeply-set lookout - which was out of sight for the time being. Gradually we found ourselves well away from all other tourists - but certainly not out of the view of those on board the locally docked fishing boats and nearby yachts.
Grasping for support against the larger rocks that conveniently jutted out from the fortress wall, and seeing the rippling waves beneath me increase in sheer size and speed as we moved along - - suddenly left me feeling quite vulnerable and easily prone to a 'slip' of the cautious steps I was now attempting. Mishap was lurking and just barely spared (on several occasions) during this first zany adventure. Thanks to the alertness and many quick reactions of my partner, the humiliating fall into the deepening waters never eventuated.
We passed by one, two, three and more of the lookouts. Exhausted and anxious to get there, I kept asking: "what about here, what about this one?" NO , it had to be that special spot, the exact lookout. An old, very private 'hiding-place' of his, the one that no-one else had shared or had been a party to (during all previous visits). It was the lookout that held treasured memories of his youth - - - a place that harboured many dreams and several childhood escapades. Apparently, he would now share this mystical retreat with another person, for the very first time. Why that person was to be me - soon raised many questions (and doubts) - but equally evoked an intriguing sense of privileged opportunity. Sharing someone's 'special place' (or secret 'hideaway') goes way beyond a romantic gesture of sharing a fleeting 'moment'. It is the conscious sharing of one's private self, through space and time. It is (to some degree) a brief insight into the identity and inner spirit of a particular soul.
After much effort and several near-mishaps, we did finally reach that special, exclusive destination. With a look of calm and total satisfaction, he gently raised me up and into the mouth of this deeply set porthole. We sat quietly embraced, for a very long time, taking in all the surrounding vistas and reflecting upon the historical significance of this very ancient fortress. An entire history of events and personal memories (of individuals) that preceded our own; the tales and tragedies these walls would have absorbed over time; the scores of people and cultures that might have passed through the heart and chambers of this Venetian fortress located in Crete - certainly left us speechless for while. But most importantly, for us both, were the profound impressions and marvellous, tranquil recollections we both absorbed.
We visited this spot, which soon became 'our' private haven, quite frequently over the next 6 weeks: during the daytime hours and in the midst of the hot, breezy summer afternoons. In the evenings and during the twilight hours; beneath the stars and within the filtered lighting of the bustling port that surrounded us; in close proximity to the nearby boats, yachts and ferries that gently sailed by - - we held on tightly, we laughed and we dreamed. We reminisced and spoke of our individual aspirations. We exchanged friendly chatter and polite words of 'Yiasou' and 'Ti Kanete?' with the local crew aboard the boats that constantly passed us by. We were even invited to have drinks on board some of these vessels: fishermen and yacht members alike would warmly cheer at us, and in lively spirits shout out invitations for a sail and some added companionship. Amazingly enough, we declined - preferring to retain our private moments (within this exclusive 'hideaway') - - but still managed to make some very interesting, light-hearted conversations with these voyagers who briefly crossed our paths over the aquatic, sapphire ripples of the Hrakleion Port.
...and that is just a brief glimpse into one amazing journey - by the side and in the great company of my beloved, other half.
The vacation is truly over now - but the memories will endure in our hearts and minds - - while our passionate footprints  and adventurous spirits will surely live on within the ageing walls of this Venetian Fortress located by the Hrakleion shores of Crete 
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Βρήκες ακατάλληλη στιγμή να με ανταμώσεις. Eγώ δεν έχω τίποτα, πάλι σου το θυμίζω. Mια καρδια μου έμεινε ♥ παρ’την, σου την χαρίζω. Δεν έχω όνειρο, ούτε φτερά για να πετάξω ...
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