He had fresh olive oil put in his hair and on his hands and feet and also had some of his hair snipped off; obviously all part of their ritual. They sat him down, dried him off dressed him and proceeded to dress him in a white cap, vest and shorts. This was followed by a complete suit of clothes, which looked like an ornate Sailor's outfit! Hat, shirt, tie, long trousers, socks, shoes and jacket. Poor chap, but he smiled throughout except when they dipped him in the water. Once dressed in the Sailor's outfit there was more 'singing' from the priests and what turned out to be Giorgos' Godfather holding him for yet another blessing.
Then it was over and everybody streamed out of the church for photos and a shaking of hands.
Now, whilst these two services were going on, as well as the general 'babble' there were three people moving in and out and around the people in the church making a DVD film and taking photos - all with flash lights and portable floodlights! And of course many of the audience were taking their own photos throughout the whole proceedings. Flashlights non -stop!
Outside in the courtyard, the couple and their parents and the Godfather stood together and everybody else formed a queue and passed along in a line in front of them shaking hands one by one as we were 'presented' to the couple and the patriarchs. Then you moved along to three tables in a row; one for a gift of sugared almonds in a white lace bag, one for a small picture frame in a red lace bag and the last one to collect your pastry to eat there and then. It was a sugared, honey-like rolled biscuit (sausage shaped).
Once everybody had shaken hands and eaten their pastry, the film crew and the photographers were back to take photos of the bride and groom with ....... well just about everybody! The crew took still photos and film for the DVD; Family group shots, friends, villagers and just about anybody else who wanted to have their photo taken or appear on the DVD!
Then when that was over, it was off to the Reception. By now it was dark except for the small floodlights on the church courtyard. We went back to the parked cars and made the trip down the mountain in pitch blackness and no street lighting; an interesting experience that had lasted some three hours from start to finish!
Safely at the restaurant where the reception was to be held, everybody had to be inside before the bride and groom and their 'top table' arrived. They were then 'cheered in' - actually it was a lot of banging knives and forks on plates and whistling!
The DVD film crew and photographers were back! First the couple had to pose for them and kiss on camera - more banging of knives and forks!
Then they cut the wedding cake (a huge layered cream, honey and nuts gateaux. Next, they cut the 'Wedding Bread' which was a special bake for the guests to eat with their food at the reception. Yet more banging of knives and forks!
The ‘cutting formalities’ completed, the 'band' started to play (lady singer, a man on a BOuzouki and a man on the electronic keyboard that had all the other 'instrumental sounds' on it). They were very good but they were far too loud but they played non-stop from that moment until we left! Their volume was so loud that I had ringing in my ears for over an hour after we left.
By now, people were beginning to eat. Seated at tables of around 12 there were over 100 people crowded into this small taverna. Talking was not easy because of the loud band, so everybody had to shout at each other to be heard! Greeks shout at the best of times as a 'normal' way of conversing, but this was bedlam! The only let up was for maybe a minute at a time when the band ended one song and started another.
The tables had large jugs of wine on them and these were refilled within seconds of them being emptied! Also the 'Wedding Bread' was delivered in large baskets. The food was delivered on one small plate between four to share. One plate at a time, around every 10 minutes, waiters delivered cold grilled vegetables, feta cheese, olives, sausage, tzatziki and some roast pork.
Whilst this was going on, the ladies of the bride's family had begun to dance. Greek dances are fascinating; swirling bodies and skipping feet or slow 'dirges' as they move around in a circle, holding hands and telling their 'story' through the music. Also, there were some dances that had a real 'Persian' influence and were almost like belly dancing!
The music was still too loud and still non-stop, as was now the dancing. Just when we thought the food was over, the waiters appeared with a plate of roast beef, gravy and wild rice and placed it in front of each guest! This was soon followed by a portion of the Wedding Cake.
Then, the real dancing began. So many people gathered around in a circle in such a small space. The dances became more frenetic and more complex at the same time; large circle of people moving within other circles and sometimes in counter direction. A constant throng of people shouting, whistling, laughing and jumping people all moving to the rhythm of the music.
Aaah! More filming! The crew appeared to film the dances and also to film the bride and groom dancing. With some dances, only maybe six or eight people would dance and when this happened the waiter arrived with a tray containing a glass of champagne for each of them which the dancers drank as they danced; holding a glass in one hand and somebody else's hand in the other! It truly was quite a spectacle!
Even more of a spectacle was the said ‘fierce’ Priest. In fact he was a really nice guy who knew how to enjoy himself. Earlier in the evening, I had seen him at one of the tables eating, drinking, smoking and laughing; altogether he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.
Now, here he was, right in the middle of the dance floor. He had a cigarette dangling from his lips, a glass of champagne in one hand and a pretty girl holding onto the other hand and they were doing some serious dancing. He had a great big smile on his face, and yet at the same time a look of deep concentration, as he danced and generally led the way for the rest of the group as they told their story in this particular dance routine.
Eleni was dancing non-stop throughout the night and what a sight she was! She is a great dancer and loves dancing; so much energy and enthusiasm.
Despite taking off her six-inch stiletto shoes (bright red to match the ribbons on her dress and as high as a wine jug!), it seemed that she found it a bit of a struggle at times as she was still wearing her wedding dress which was fully flared and with a large 'trail' behind her! From time to time, when the ‘Belly-Dancing’ style dance was the feature, she would get up on a chair and lead all the ladies!
Photo: Eleni’s Bright Red High-heeled Shoes.
Valerie took Greek dancing lessons throughout the spring and summer months and she was up on the dance floor too; quite into it!
When we eventually left, we discovered the whole wedding process had lasted some 8 hours! At this point, I must say that, I hope that you enjoyed reading about the day as much as we did in participating; we really felt Greek and part of the community. If ever you are invited to a Greek Wedding, or get the opportunity to go and see one, make sure you do go as you will not regret it.
Like us, I am sure that you will be enthralled by the seriousness of the ceremony, the unusual dress code of some guests, and their behavior both in the church and at the Reception!
As I said before, Maniots know how to party and enjoy themselves!
Well that was yesterday; our first Greek Wedding!
Now it is today and I cannot tell you or describe to you just how great the feeling is to get up and open the windows and doors to see the sun shining every morning and the peace and quiet. It truly is so peaceful here. Even the sound of the men's machinery for harvesting the olives in the surrounding groves blends in and becomes a gentle hum that you hardly notice.
As these few words are written, Christmas 2009 is only days away, but the Greeks don't 'do' Christmas as big as many countries do, because Easter is their biggest celebration festival.
However, we do have a 'big' event at Christmas because we've been invited to another wedding on 26th December. This time it is Nikos who runs our local grill and bar; Smokey Joe’s.
His wedding celebration locations are in reverse of yesterdays.
The marriage ceremony is in the little church in the harbour at Agios Nikolaos and then the reception is being held in a small taverna up in the mountains.
Whatever else happens, you can be sure that the cars will be flashing their lights, hooting the horns and travelling in convoy at high speed,
…………and we'll be one of them!
Yassas! (Cheers! As in “Cheerio for now.”)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Author would like to thank the many people of The Mani who have unwittingly helped him write this book.
He acknowledges the following people to whom he offers his thanks for their financial contributions, friendship, and support for generating and sharing the original experiences that he recounts throughout the book:
To Heather and Harry who remain good friends and who were the inspiration of the ‘Dream’ of life in The Mani.
To his brother Bill and his wife Jeanette who helped with the loan for the initial deposit and finances for the purchase of the land adjoining Meerkat Manor.
To his son Peter who also helped with the finance and provided excellent financial advice, and secured early payments of various insurance policies to provide enough finance to complete the purchase of the house and the land.
To Vassilis and Laila Tsoumeas who helped him, and his wife Valerie, make the ‘Dream’ come true. Together, they ensured that he really did follow through with the ‘Exit the UK’ plan. Without their help, advice, support and generosity, it is possible that the move would not have happened, and then this book would not have been written to record the ‘adventures’! They became true friends.
To Dimitris who owns the builder’s yard and who always offers a helping hand with the advice and of doing things in the typical ‘Mani Way’ – “Maybe tomorrow, Stavros. Yassas!”
To Liz Berry who provided some of the photos from Peter and Mel’s wedding (Photography by Liz Berry © 2008).
To his youngest daughter Lucy who bestowed upon him his full ‘Greek’ name as her mail was always addressed to Stavros Allanopolis!
Finally, special thanks to Valerie who was the joint Architect of the ‘Exit the UK’ plan and who helped him to develop and fulfil the plan to allow them to live the ‘Dream,’ and who to this day, lives the ‘Dream’ with him at Meerkat Manor, their home in The Mani.
EPILOGUE
After we had been living in Meerkat Manor for 20 months, it occurred to me that others might be interested in the ‘happenings’ and our overall ‘adventures’ to date, so I decided to write this book.
I have tried to venture beyond the initial description of how it came about, and our new life living in The Mani, and I have just recorded our ‘adventures’ as they happened. There have been far too many to mention in full detail, but I have described as many as I could remember without boring you! I have also tried to explain the ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ and the emotional experiences that making that fateful decision to leave the UK for good provided us.
It is only the ‘First Chapter’ of our first 20 months of living in this fairly remote part of Greece. There is another book and is all about the following 12 months of living our lives in ‘Paradise’ and of ‘Watching The Olives Grow’ in our garden; the ‘second chapter’ so to speak.
It is not all ‘peaches and cream’ but it has proved to be the most amazing experience in our lives (to date) together.
Once again, there are ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ but never any regrets.
Thank you for reading about our ‘adventures’.
Eferesto (as in “Thanks!”)
and
Yassas! (as in “Cheers! and cheerio for now.)
Stavros
A Message From Stavros: If you have not read my second book, you may wish to download it at Amazon on the Kindle Book Store page.
WATCHING THE OLIVES GROW
By STAVROS ALLANOPOLIS
About ‘Watching The Olives Grow’ …. Imagine that you are seated in a peaceful and secluded spot under an Olive tree. You are sitting in the shade and out of the burning sun as it shines down to ripen the Olives growing on the branches of the tree above you.
If you are able to imagine this location then you too will understand what it is like to be ‘Watching The Olives Grow,’ but if not, then the pages of the story will help you.
You will soon appreciate that it is a hard job, but somebody has to do it, and, as you will read, Stavros works harder at it than most. He takes his job very seriously!
Once a month, he takes a photo of the Olive tree growing right in front of him; referred to as the tree. It is a record of its development over the 12 months from the harvest of 2009 until the harvest of 2010, and it evidence that he does take his job of ‘Watching’ very seriously. He varies the time of day for his monthly photo of the tree as ‘Watched’ so you can see it develop through the seasons and the time of day; from sunrise to sunset, and even during full moon.
When he is at work, he sits on the upper terrace of his house (Meerkat Manor) sipping his Ouzo and enjoying the warmth of the bright sunshine and doing his job; ‘Watching’ – ‘Watching The Olives Grow’ and ‘Watching’ the tree.
When he is not ‘Watching’ he is usually dealing with a variety problems and issues, and tending the garden. These activities are usually referred to as his ‘adventures’. The book records them throughout the year. As with the ‘adventures’ in ‘It Started With An Ouzo’, they generate a lot of laughter and tears, and the inevitable ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ that accompany life living in Greece.
WARNING! Please be aware that some pieces from ‘It Started With An Ouzo’ and ‘To Cut A Long Story Short …’ are repeated in this book; Specifically, the Prologue and the chapters about the naming of Meerkat Manor and description of Agios Nikolaos. They are included as they contain the original ‘background and positioning’ information for any reader who has not previously read about the ‘adventures’ of Stavros Allanopolis, and how he moved from the United Kingdom and went to live permanently in Greece
Another Message From Stavros: My third book will be available in Spring 2014. You may wish to download it at Amazon on the Kindle Book Store page.
TO CUT A LONG STORY SHORT .…
…. Life Is Too Short To Drink Cheap Wine!
By STAVROS ALLANOPOLIS
About ‘To Cut A Long Story Short …..‘
…. When you travel, you can look into peoples’ lives. On a Motorway or on a Train, as you pass through the country, you can often go right pass the front window of someone’s house. You see into their rooms; you see their furniture. Frozen for a split second you can intrude into their lives and they are unaware. Then you are gone.
This is the third book that he has written, and he is once again inviting you to enter into his life and his home in Greece. It is about the ‘adventures’ that he and his wife Valerie have experienced living their lives in The Mani Region which is situated in the South Western mainland of Greece. They moved from the United Kingdom to live permanently in Greece.
This book, ‘To Cut A Long Story Short ….’ is like the others, in so far as it records the ‘adventures’ experienced in living permanently in Greece. As you will read, it is not all ‘peaches and cream’. It contains full details of all the ‘highs’ and the ‘lows’ of the 35 months from December 2010 until November 2013. The laughter and the tears of some of the more interesting and unusual events are illustrated with his own photos. Up close and personal … ‘warts and all!’
So many things happened in such a comparatively short time!
During that time, Stavros and Valerie ended up spending over 12,000 euros which they had not budgeted for; mostly on water leaks, falling masonry and car repairs!
Water leaks? Two major leaks that led to having a new bathroom installed, and new plumbing in the shower room.
Falling masonry? The fireplace fell through the floor into the foundations one metre below the floor, and the stone chimney breast fell down without warning; all two tons of it!
<
br /> Car repairs? New clutch, new locks, new steering and new wing mirror; the previous mirror had been ripped off by a marauding cow!
Not to mention, the unexpected arrival of MiMi and Bella who took up residence at Meerkat Manor. Bella? A five-day-day old cute puppy who Stavros rescued from the rubbish bins. It weighed just 300 grams (10 ozs) and sat in the palm of his hand on the day he found it. As of November 2013, she has grown into a giant 42 kilos (92 lbs.) Greek Sheepdog!
Also, read about how Stavros came to be nicknamed ‘Goldfinger’ !
Stuart and Valerie have recognised life could have been easier living in Agios Nikolaos. Mind you, as Stuart says,
“Without the problems and frustrations, we may not have experienced so much fun. Not to mention the pain and the frustration and extra unbudgeted expense!”
However as they both say,
“You have to be brave!”
“…. And so much more!”
WARNING! Please be aware that some pieces from ‘Watching The Olives Grow’ and ‘It Started With An Ouzo’ are repeated in this book; Specifically, the Prologue and the chapters about the naming of Meerkat Manor and description of Agios Nikolaos. They are included as they contain the original ‘background and positioning’ information for any reader who has not previously read about the ‘adventures’ of Stavros Allanopolis, and how he moved from the United Kingdom and went to live permanently in Greece
Enjoy your reading.
Yammus! (“Cheers!” … as in with a drink in your hand.)
and
Yassas! (“Cheers!” … as in Cheerio and see you again soon.)
Photo: The Author Stavros Allanopolis.
It Started With an Ouzo Page 18
