Itisallgreek2me

Anna preparing Horta for lunch

The sight of the ferry boat “Kornaros” arriving yesterday at Gythio was one to warm my heart – to know that I would soon be on my way to the family in Kastelli Kissamos, Crete – my Greek home.  Here where I have so many memories gathered since first arriving in the town way back in 1981.    

I was surprised as I made the six and a half hour journey, that I really wasn’t feeling any great emotion, however, as soon as I stepped off the ferry, I knew that I was home.  Shared a taxi with others – arriving at the house around 2200 hours, to find Anna, the family matriarch (88) – Costas’ mother and Katina, the daughter-in-law who lovingly takes care of Anna, awaiting me and upstairs Vassilis, son of Katina.  Normally by 2100 hours Anna has retired upstairs, however, last night they were all waiting for me to have dinner together.  Boureki (Greek vegetable pie), Horiatiki Salata (Greek salad made with ingredients from their garden including fresh basil and purslane), chops, tzatziki (yoghurt with cucumber and garlic) and wine.    

When Dave and I were here 3 years’ ago, Vassilis had a German Shepherd named Liko.  Sadly he was hit by a car not so long ago but has been replaced with Billy – a 9 month old puppy of a breed I don’t know, highly intelligent and gorgeous!  Some time ago, Vassilis found a tiny kitten in a box by the roadside.  He brought it home and Katerina, a great grand daughter of Anna’s who loves animals, came daily to feed the kitten, initially by way of an eyedropper.   This cat gave birth to 4 kittens upstairs in Vassilis bedroom.  Another cat with 3 kittens took hers one by one upstairs through the window and the two mothers looked after the 7 kittens together.  3 kittens have gone to other homes, leaving 4 cats here now.  Sadly, the two mothers met their deaths on the road.   Billy likes to play with one of these cats and they are pretty much inseparable – it is a delight to behold.  Billy takes the cat by the scruff of it’s neck and swings it around and around – much to the cat’s delight and to those of us watching on.  Billy is happy to share his food with this cat only – the other three, no.    

Lunch today will be Psari (fish) with Horta me Kolokithakia –  various greens from the garden, Stifno, Vlita, Parsley, Courgette flowers and leaves, young Tomato leaves and baby Courgettes, dressed with olive oil and lemon.  The food I enjoy here in their home you will never find in a restaurant – only a commercial version of the same.    

Anna has 12 grandchildren (11 living) and 16 great grand children.  Big Vassilis (a grandson of Anna’s) called by this morning – I don’t expect to see many others before tomorrow when Yanni and Joanna, two of Katina’s children and Manolis, son of Vanna, great grandson of Anna who is currently serving his statutory time in the army, are all due here in Kastelli.  Today Vanna is busy preparing a feast for Manolis’ home coming and of course, tomorrow all will be invited to their home.     

Catching up and so much more catching up still to come over the next few days.  So much to enjoy – the hospitality, the company, the food, the wine, the music and hopefully the weather will improve on what it is today.  Not at all cold, however, overcast – who cares anyway.  I am here – nothing else really matters.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 21st, 2010 at 11:23 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.