Itisallgreek2me

Vassilis, his wife Litsa and I at Vanna and Roma's in Kastelli, Crete

Carrying a Gardenia (Costas’ favourite flower) plant I had bought at the local garden centre, yesterday morning I made my way up the hill to the local cemetery where Costas and other family members have been laid to rest.  Together in the family tomb with Costas who died on 16 November 1996 (aged 39) are his father Vassilis who died on 5 January 1971 (aged 62) and Costas’ brother Yani who died 9 March 2001 (aged 58).  Recently Katina commissioned a porcelain photograph of our three men which now sits proudly at the grave.  After filling and relighting the small lamp and watering the plants and flowers surrounding the tomb – having payed my respects, I left feeling more at peace with myself over our loss of Costas at such a young age. 

Katina had made Yemista for our lunch – not just stuffed tomatoes and capsicums but also vine leaves, courgette flowers, courgettes and eggplants – stuffed with rice and herbs and far superior to anything I have tasted elsewhere on my travels.  With the weather continuing to entice me, I left the house soon after 1300 hours to spend the afternoon on Kastelli beach, returning late afternoon to await Anna’s arrival home from Hania.  

Being Saturday evening, of course, there was to be a Table at Vanna and Roma’s – with emphasis last night on the fact that Roma had just had his Name Day on Friday and I was expecting to leave Kastelli today.  Katina telephoned for a taxi and on our way, we stopped at the Zaharoplastio where a bottle of Russian Vodka was bought for Roma.  As friends continued to arrive at the house bearing gifts, soon Roma had received five bottles of his favourite spirit, by which time I had given up counting.   Vanna had been working in her kitchen all day and as is always the case on such occasions, we sat down to a table with so much food – I ate and ate until I could eat no more and still I had not tried many of the dishes.  

Because our friend Jillie never eats meat, there is always fish on offer.  Last night Vanna had made a dish from Glossa (sole/plaice/flounder) fillets which are coated with a mixture of grated carrot, parsley, onion, yoghurt, a little mayonnaise, salt and pepper, rolled up and baked in the oven which everyone loved.  A wonderful accompaniment to the dish was a salad of lettuce, a little rocket, spring onion and red onion, tossed in a balsamic and olive oil dressing, topped with parmesan, pine nuts, cashews and slivered almonds and decorated with cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes and sliced capsicum. 

Dear Anna was so tired, after our meal she came home with Katina, however, I stayed until around 0200 hours and was the last to leave.  Vagelis borrowed Roma’s car to drive me home – Jillie and Rick stayed the night at Vanna and Roma’s.  An excellent idea since the drive to their house in Keramoti in the mountains, along a precarious stretch of road, is not a journey to be undertaken late at night after the consumption of alcohol.  I always enjoy drinking Roma’s wine but I think most of the men drank vodka.  A memorable evening for us all. 

By the time my friend Antonia telephoned me today, I had made a decision to stay one more night in Kastelli.  With Anna only returning from Hania yesterday, I want to spend a little more time with her before I leave.  Also, Katina’s daughter Joanna is visiting from Hania with her boyfriend Antonis and her cousins Rula and Rena.  The house is full and noisy, there will be no beach nor siesta for me today but never mind, such is life here with my Greek family.

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