Itisallgreek2me

Godparents, Spiros and the Priest

This week has been a little surreal.  It began okay on Monday … went to the Bar early at 2000 hours to farewell Paddy and Wendy.  It was their last night on the island for now … hopefully we will meet up here again in May next year.  I was home again by 2230 hours, could not sleep, so went back to the Bar at 0130 hours until 0330 hours … when I left, there were still 17 customers and I figured it was going to be another late night for Costas.  Apart from one couple holding hands, the town was ghostly quiet, however, as I neared the house, I could hear that Boggi was still in full swing.

On Tuesday, Costas bought 3 kilo of minced beef which together we made into Biftekia (Greek burgers) … the majority we put into  the freezer.  I made a lovely salad which we had with takeaways from Quarter for lunch and that night I stayed home for a quiet one.  Wednesday morning I was back at the beach … the sea a little choppy and I was there alone.  As I was leaving, met Costas, we went to Delfinia for a coffee, then home to make a salad with Roka (Rocket) to have with Biftekia for lunch.

For sometime before leaving New Zealand, I had been experiencing pain in my upper right arm, however, being the stubborn individual that I am, pretty much chose to ignore it, believing it was most likely as a result of stress and that it would go away once I made it to Greece and relaxed a little more but it has continued.  Then, some 10 days or so ago, I developed a pain under my left breast and on Costas’ insistence, I agreed to go and see a Physiotherapist who came highly recommended … my appointment was on Wednesday afternoon.  Vaggeles could not help me with the pain in my rib cage … something of a mystery as to what has caused it in the first place and whether it is the muscle, bone or cartilage that is damaged.  It could take weeks to come right.  In my neck, shoulder and arm, he located some very tender spots and recommended Acupuncture.  As I could not comfortably lie down on my tummy on the table, I knelt in a special chair so that Vaggeles could insert the needles.  After a little while I felt faintish and nauseous … he assisted me to the table where I lay down and he raised my feet in the air.  It seems the treatment had caused my blood pressure to drop rather low.  He then gave me the most wonderful neck, shoulder and arm massage after which I walked home feeling so much better.  I was to telephone him on Friday to report on my well-being.

That night I went to the Bar around 2130 hours and had a most enjoyable evening … home before 0100 hours.  I could not sleep, the pain in my rib cage had worsened and I was unable to lie on either side.  By the time Costas arrived home around 0430 hours, I was feeling very poorly.  According to Costas, I was yellow and so he summoned a Doctor to the house around 0500 hours.  My blood pressure was high … very unusual for me and this Doctor thought there could be a problem with my heart … in the morning I should go to the Clinic for an ECG.  Costas called a taxi to take us there … the ECG was performed, the Doctor looked at the resultant chart and declared there was something not right, I must go to the Health Centre in Kranidi for further examination and  be prepared for a possible few days in hospital in Navplio.  It was 1240 hours, no time to return home for any personal items.  Costas arranged for Panayiotes wife Carol to accompany us as in the event that I ended up in Navplio, he would not be able to stay there with me.  By 1300 hours we were all in the ambulance aboard the Katerina Star ferry on our way to Kranidi.

Another ECG, poked, prodded, listened into, blood and urine samples taken then on a drip for half an hour which did have the desired effect of easing the pain.  A third ECG followed … they stated they believed there had been an “incident”, however, my heart was now quite healthy and I was free to go – what a relief was that!  A taxi then a water taxi back to the island, takeaways from Spetsiotiko for lunch, followed by a very welcome siesta … interrupted only by a telephone call from Ray “How is Helen”?  News travels fast on Spetses … Anna had spotted us on the ferry and it seems the pigeon courier had started from there.

For now, taking things very quietly … I did not leave the house Friday and my second night of staying at home.  Feeling okay, however, the pain killers I am taking out of necessity are working.  A complete medical check when I return to New Zealand will be a priority.  Costas is right, I do push myself too much when I am working and also trying to live a lifestyle here which I am not accustomed to with the late nights.  Add to this the travelling from one side of the world to the other … I need to slow down.

Saturday the 1st of June dawned overcast.  Nevermind, I did not have any plans to go to the beach as we had been invited to the Baptism of 7 month old Spiros, the son of Nikos and Tina … to be held at 1100 hours at the Ieros Naos Agion Taxiarchon church, located in the oldest part of Spetses town, known as Kastelli.  Left the house around 1020 hours to go to Dapia Porto Cafe for a coffee … then a taxi up the hill to the church.  In contrast with the Dapia and Old Harbour areas, where luxury yachts, expensive shops, trendy cafes and the rich and famous mingle, Kastelli has a village feel to it with tethered horses, chickens roaming free, cats and kittens abound and vegetables are planted anywhere a space can be found.

I believe this little church is one of the oldest on the island, however, I have not been able to establish exactly how old … inside it is absolutely beautiful.  We entered, lit our candles and waited for the service to begin … the church was packed to capacity with many more people outside.  Greek Orthodox Baptism is rich with symbolism and it is a service in which the godparents play a very big role.  Unfortunately, we had to leave before the end as Costas had an appointment but there are many excellent websites where you can learn more.  Before leaving we took our Bomboniera’s … these gifts are an Eastern Orthodox tradition over 3,000 years’ old.  Filled with koufeta – jordan almonds – the favours are given as tokens of good fortune and happiness.  Bomboniera’s are symbolic of life with their bittersweet taste.  The sugar-coating represents the hope that life will be blessed with more sweetness than bitterness … with that, I can only agree.

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