11-1972 /01-2013 /09-2014/11-2015
I’m very tempted to write about my own country. I’ll try to be realistic and give you all the aspects that this small, beautiful piece of land has to offer. It’s difficult for me to get into details about specific places so I’m going to present it as a whole rather than as individual places.
Greece is an experience of endless miles of aquamarine coastline, sun-bleached ancient ruins, feta and strong ouzo. The Greek landscape thrills, and as for us the Greek people, we’re passionate about politics, coffee, art, football and gossiping. Let Greece fill your senses, whether it’s through the pulsing nightclubs of Mykonos or the solemnity of Meteora, the magic of Delfi, the earthiness of Metsovo or even the rugged Cretan hillsides and the lush wildflowers of spring. This is the magic that Greece has and it’s been seducing travellers for centuries.
Anyone that arrives here quickly becomes acclimatized with the melancholic sounds of rembetika (traditional songs) and the ability of the ancient sights to unleash an imagination you might not have realized you had. You’ll also witness another level of modern art and a contemporary music scene, stumbling across galleries, live music and impressively modern museums in the most unexpected places. Greece balances its past, present and future in a way managed by only few other countries. The result is a country with endless cultural pursuits. Greeks pride themselves in their cuisine and as some of the most hospitable people on earth, they will go out of their way to ensure you’re well fed. The tang of home-made tzatziki and the aroma of grilled souvlaki are just the beginning. The Greek menu is filled with delicious cuisine that offers an adventure at every mealtime. Basic ingredients like feta and olive oil are at home, in kitchens across the country, but it’s the regional dishes and styles of cooking that make travelling around the country such a joy. Turkish and Italian influences are blended throughout many dishes and you’ll discover islands or towns known for distinct ingredients. Cheeses, herbs and mountain greens you may never have heard of go hand in
hand with local seafood, meat and veggie dishes. The secret of Greek cooking is often found in the back garden where many of the ingredients are freshly gathered and produced. Nowadays a renaissance in traditional cooking means that chefs are increasingly taking time-honoured recipes to new gourmet heights. Top up all the above with 4.500 years of history and it’s easy to understand why so many myths of gods and giants call Greece their homeland. Travelling through this small country is a trip through history itself. Don’t be surprised if in a blink of an eye around you in Monastiraki Square, downtown Athens, you see the remaining of empires that cross here with a gap of hundreds of years between them. This is the secret to Greek history adapting to whatever circumstances and moving forward.
In this vast and varied landscape, with wide open skies and a sea speckled with islands and stunning beaches, someone gears down their life rhythm and go with the flow. Greece offers endless activities and is a magnet for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors. Wander along cobbled, Byzantine footpaths, hike into volcanoes, watch for dolphins and sea turtles and cycle through lush forests. All that and much more can happen in a small distance apart and this is what makes Greece so popular.
Although my country is going through a very difficult time at the moment, I’m optimistic. Very soon the bad days will be over. We’ll avoid the danger of bankruptcy and we’ll stand on our own feet. We’ll look the world straight in the eye and say”Be brave. Be passionate. Be Greek.”
httpv://youtu.be/ZKcLRZrS0CM
PS. THIS PIECE IS DEDICATED TO MY MOTHER. BEFORE SHE PASSED AWAY, SHE MADE ME REALIZE THAT IN ORDER TO APPRECIATE MY OWN COUNTRY, I HAVE TO TRAVEL TO OTHER BEAUTIFUL PLACES.
As you can see from the dates in the beginning our exhibitions around Greece did not stop . I would be adding links from future trips so all you need to do is click on them .
– The first one was a part of an epic journey that we did with my partner Rochelle.We started in August 2014 in Greece and after a 12 month long trip through Asia we returned successfully back here in my home country .Here is the link!!!!!!
https://overlanddiaries.com/?p=2761
A year and a bit later there was more…………