Greeks, Food and Drink

There is nothing more pleasant than enjoying a good meal. I don't know about you, but since I have moved here to Greece, I have found great pleasure in enjoying evenings out with friends at nice - economic - restaurants.

Last weekend, I felt the need to go somewhere and relax for an evening with a cousin and my husband. We decided to hit the nearby village of Sivota. It is a beautiful, magical village which is built along a small harbour. If you have never visited this area, it really is worth paying a visit to this village, merely to enjoy a typical Greek sunset.

Anyway, a friend, who has become a good friend over the past months, has a hotel and restaurant near the harbor, called Filaka. We all needed something to pick us up on Saturday, and this seemed to be on of the better ideas that were flying around (of course it was mine). So we set off, for that quiet evening out. When we reached the restaurant, it was almost full. Live music was playing and as we sat at our table, I got that feeling that this was going to be one of the more relaxed evenings of the week. We decided to order mezethes (a variety of Hors d' oeuvres) as we wanted to get a taste of everything available. We opted for a local wine, and sat to enjoy the atmosphere.

At some point my cousin and I were asked to sing a few songs, and so he, with his bouzouki, and I , with my voice (which was not up to standard due to a cold) picked up a few oldies and let the stress of the week flow out.

We all had a wonderful time, and I must admit, that I will make a habit of this, whenever I can. If you are ever in the area and feel the need to relax, pop in, order some wine and let the Greek music take over your mind.

Greek Music and I

Tonight I get the chance to shake off my day wear, put on something snazzy and do something I love...sing. It's been a passion all my life, since I was part of the school chorus in various plays, since I would sleep and wake up with Radio 1 and its various DJs as a teenager, since my friends and I would sing along to The Carpenters whilst driving around the West Midlands, on sleepy summer days. It was how I enchanted my husband, singing along to a guitar at an all night beach party, here, at the village. It was something I felt I had to explore and discover as everything else in my life, so when I was given the opportunity to sing in a local band, I grabbed it with both hands and although I had little knowledge of Greek Music, I began with a small repertoire, and a lot of nerves, to sing in front of audiences in bars, at get- togethers, at weddings, and although I know I am no Maria Callas, The responses were great, and so I continued. The most difficult part of the job, was the hours...I would return home in the early hours of the morning, and have to wake up a few hours later to do the housework, look after the kids, prepare things for my day job. But I have never looked back. I slowly began to build up my song list, adding favourite songs, focusing genre, style, and generally learning more each day. I'm still learning although I have been singing on and off for 3 years now, I still have to build up my confidence, as I tend to have to look at the lyrics while I am singing....there is so much to remember...and I will continue, even if only for my own pleasure. There is nothing better than having people dance and sing along with songs that have left marks on their lives. I find myself looking up composers, artists, producers on the Internet, wanting to know more about music... I sing to my children, in the shower, while I'm driving, while I'm cleaning...I sing because songs are life, passion, dreams all rolled into one....it's a shame you're all not closer...I would love to sing for you too.....