XpatAthens

XpatAthens

Wednesday, 18 February 2015 13:29

Tzoumerka

The Tzoumerka mountain range or the Athamanian mountains, as it is also known, is located in Central Pindos, between the rivers Arachthos and Aspropotamos. The Tzoumerka mountain range consists of the natural frontier between Epirus and Thessaly. Many peaks of Tzoumerka have an altitude of more than 2000m. Verdant forests, abundant running waters, rivers, waterfalls, steep slopes create a scenery charming and at the same time wild and imposing.

There are 47 villages scattered on the mountain range of Tzoumerka with common cultural and historical background, the so-called ‘Tzoumerkochoria’ (villages of Tzoumerka).

According to tradition (there’s no written source found) these villages were built between the 14th and the 15th century, during the Turkish occupation (possibly for reasons of defence) and played an important role in modern Greek history.

The area is an attraction for nature lovers and also for the lovers of extreme sports, as it has a rich ecosystem that impresses the visitor and also two rivers, Arachthos and Kalarrytikos (tributary of Arachthos), which offer magnificent routes for rafting and canoe - kayak. Additionally, river Acheloos (also called Aspropotamos) flows in the confines between the region of Tzoumerka and Thessaly.


To read more, please visit tzoumerka.info

Friday, 20 February 2015 15:31

Rustic Lamb Kleftiko Recipe

Kleftiko – from what I have read up about this dish it originated in Greece in the 1800s during the revolution when bands of guerillas would  steal a lamb or goat from the hillside and then cook it over glowing hot stones and embers in a hole in the ground with soil packed over the top to stop any smoke or steam escaping and giving them away. The dish would cook for up to 24 hours!

 

 

Ingredients:

1.5 kg Free Range Lamb Knuckles

100 ml extra virgin olive oil

10 mls Butter

8 Shallots or small onions – peeled and left whole

6-8 Fat cloves garlic – left unpeeled

1 Clove Garlic – peeled and finely grated or crushed

2 Tbs Fresh Rosemary – removed from stalks and chopped

1 Tbs Fresh Lemon Thyme – picked from stalks

4 Sprigs Fresh Oreganum -  left on the stalks

1 Fresh Bay leaf – use dried herbs if you don’t have access to fresh but remember to use much less of the dried

1 Lemon – juice and finely grated zest 

8-10 Baby Potatoes – washed  I used regular potatoes as that was all I had in the house. Just cut them into quarters or smaller depending on size

250ml Boiling Water

10mls NoMU Lamb Fonds -  stirred into the boiling water. I love this product but if you don’t have access to it use your stock of choice

10ml Runny Honey

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

 

You will need:

A deep large casserole dish or oven proof saucepan with a good fitting lid

Aluminum Foil

 

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 150 degrees Celsius

2. Heat half of the oil and all the butter in a large, heavy frying pan over a medium heat

3. Add the lamb a few pieces at a time and brown on all sides. Remove from pan and drain on paper towel

4. Line your casserole dish with a large sheet of aluminum foil so that it overlaps on all sides

5. Place your browned meat into the casserole, sprinkling over a good grinding of salt and pepper

6. Add the potatoes and onions to the dish and tuck in the whole garlic cloves

7. Sprinkle over the zest, crushed garlic, herbs, lemon juice and drizzle over the honey

8. Tuck in the herb sprigs, pour over the hot stock

9. Bring the sides of the foil up around the contents to make a an airtight parcel

10. Place another sheet of aluminum foil over the top so that it slightly overlaps the edges of the casserole dish

11. Place the lid on tightly then pop it into the preheated oven for 6 hours. Don’t open until the 6 hours are up

12. Remove from oven, open up the parcel and drain off the liquid into a smallish saucepan skimming off most of the fat and oil

13. Reduce rapidly over a high heat until thickened into a nice rich sauce

I served my Kleftiko simply, over a bed of just al dente Risoni pasta, some fresh Italian Parsley and a lemon wedge….HMMMMMMM!!! Sticky, moist, lemony, falling off the bone, rich and delicious! Be sure to squeeze the sweetly roasted garlic out of the skins onto your meat and ENJOY!!

browniegirl xx

Friday, 06 March 2015 12:46

SkyGreece Authorized To Fly

SkyGreece Airlines SA has announced that the Canadian Transport Agency (CTA) has given its permission to the airline company to schedule international flights between EU member-states and Canada. 

“We are extremely happy with the CTA decision and it simply shows our determination to meet and surpass the requirements of the agency as well as the Canadian and Greek consumers,” said Nikolaos Alexandris, accountable manager and co-founder of SkyGreece Airlines SA.

SkyGreece Airlines SA is the only Greek transatlantic airline. The private company founded in October 2012 by a team of Greek-Canadian entrepreneurs with extensive backgrounds in aviation and tourism, is based in Athens, Greece, while there are offices located in Montreal, Toronto and New York.

The company’s main mission is to connect the Greek Diaspora to their homeland by offering non-stop flights between Greece and North America, with eventual plans to also offer flights to South Africa. Additionally, the airline’s aim is to offer “authentic Greek hospitality.”

To read more, please visit greekreporter.com

By Ioanna Zikakou

Monday, 06 July 2015 07:00

Athens War Museum

Housed in one of the more unusual looking buildings in Athens, The Athens War Museum is spread out over four floors and exhibits weapons and memorabilia connected with the Greek Armed Forces.

Few countries have known so much conflict and instability since their creation than Greece.  The Greek War of Independence, The Balkans War, World War's I and II, the Greek Civil War.  For over 140 years, it barely seemed to get a moment's peace.  It's hardly surprising, then, that the Athens War Musum is considered such an important place - and serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles of the past.
 
It's not hard to find - located on Vassilissis Sofias Avenue - closest metro Evangelismos - just look for all the military planes outside, it's pretty hard to miss.  No tanks, however.

Current opening hours are 09:00 - 19:00 in the summer, and until 17:00 in the winer, but closed on  Monday's.  

To read more, please visit: Dave's Travel Pages
It is very common to hear Greeks offering good wishes to each other ~ every occasion has an appropriate wish or good word and is a way to express love, joy, and sympathy.

“Χρόνια πολλά!” [chronia polla] “Many years!” is the most common wish that fits almost all joyful events. You can be sure that saying this greeting for almost every (happy) occassion is just perfect! Apart from this one, however, below you will discover a variety of wishes, for different occasions.

Birthdays
Να ζήσεις! [Na ziseis] – May you live! May you live many and good years!
Να τα εκατοστήσεις! [Na ta ekatostisis] May you live up to a hundred!
Να τα χιλιάσεις! [Na ta chiliasis] – May you become one thousand years old!

Ό,τι επιθυμείς! [Oti epithimis] – Whatever you wish! May you have whatever you want and dream.


Name Day
s
Και του χρόνου! [ke tou chronou] – “And next year!”
 May you be well this year as well as next year!
Να χαίρεσαι το όνομά σου! [Na cherese to onoma sou]- May you rejoice your name!

Religious Celebrations

Καλά Χριστούγεννα! [Kala Christougenna] – Merry Christmas!

Καλή Σαρακοστή! [Kali Sarakosti]- Good Lent! 
Usually we say this on Ash Monday, and the days after, when the period of fasting for Easter begins (“Sarakosti” < “saranta” = forty)

Καλό Πάσχα! [Kalo Pascha] – Happy Easter! 
You will hear this wish during the Holy Week, namely the week before Easter.

Καλή Ανάσταση! [Kali Anastasi]- Happy Resurrection! 


Καλό Δεκαπενταύγουστο! [Kalo Dekapentavgousto] – Happy 15th of August! 


These wishes are used before the actual holiday, on the day of the feast, the wish used is the popular Χρόνια πολλά! “Many years”.

Illnesses
Περαστικά! [Perastika] – Get Well! May your illness pass quickly!

Σιδερένιος! [Siderenios] – “Iron!” May you be strong as iron again!

Καλή ανάρρωση! [Kali anarosi] – Get well!

New Beginnings During The Year

Καλή εβδομάδα! [Kali evdomada] – (Have a) Good Week! 
Every Monday
Καλό μήνα! [Kalo mina] – (Have a) Good month! 
1st of every month.
Καλό σαββατοκύριακο! Kalo sabbatokirako : Enjoy your weekend

Καλή χρονιά! [Kali chronia] – Happy New Year! 
1st of January and for several days before and after

Καλό καλοκαίρι! [Kalo kalokeri] – Enjoy your summer! 


Καλό χειμώνα! [Kalo chimona] – (Have a) Good winter! 


Wedding Wishes

Η ώρα η καλή [I ora I kali] – “May your time be good” 
May the time of marriage be good and lucky. This is said before the marriage to wish the couple well.
 
To the newly married couple, we wish:

Να ζήσετε! [Na zisete] – May you live! To live together and enjoy.

Καλούς απογόνους! [Kalous apogonous] – “Good offspring!” 
May you have good children.

If you are not married and you find yourself at a wedding celebration, you will probably hear the wish:

Και στα δικά σου! [Kai sta dika sou] – “And to yours!” 
May we get together at your wedding! 


Also the koumbaro and koumbara receives wishes:

Πάντα άξιος! [Panta aksios] – Always to have such achievements! 


Birth Of A Baby

To the parents and grandparents of the newborn we wish:

Να σας ζήσει! [Na sas zisi] – “May he/she live you!” 
May your child live a healthy life!

Να είναι τυχερός/-ή! [Na ine ticheros/i] – May he/she be lucky!

Γερό και δυνατό! [Gero ke dinato] – Healthy and strong baby!

Travelling

For someone travelling or ready to leave, you can wish him the following:

Καλό δρόμο!/ Στο καλό! [Kalo dromo!/Sto kalo!] – “Have a safe trip/journey"
Καλό ταξίδι! [Kalo taksidi] – “Have a nice trip!” 
= Travel by any means of transport.

Καλή αντάμωση! [Kali antamosi] – “Until we meet again!” 
May we meet again.

Καλές διακοπές! [Kales diakopes] – Enjoy your Holidays!

Something New / Something You Bought

Even if someone is buying something, Greeks also use wishes:

Με γεια! [Me gia] – With good health! Enjoy your new acquisition. Usually for clothes and shoes..Also used when you had a haircut!!

Καλορίζικο! [Kaloriziko] – Good luck! 
= Used when people buy bigger property (houses, shops), or move to another house.

Καλοτάξιδο! [Kalotaksido] – “Travel well!” =
 Similar to the previous, but for means of transport (cars, motorbikes,…).

Death
As in every culture, it is a part of life, with the necessary wishes for relatives of the deceased.

Συλλυπητήρια! [Silipitiria] – Condolences!

Ζωή σε σας! [Zoi se sas] – Life to you!

Να ζήσετε να τον/την θυμάστε! [Na zisete na ton/tin thimaste] – May you live and remember him / her!

Other Common Wishes

Καλή όρεξη! [Kali oreksi] – Enjoy your meal! 
Before each meal.

Στην υγειά σου! / Γεια μας! [Stin igia sou / Gia mas] – Cheers!


Καλή διασκέδαση! [Kali diaskedasi] – Have fun! For someone who is preparing to go to a party, theater, cinema etc.

Καλή τύχη!/Καλή επιτυχία! [Kali tichi!/Kali epitichia] – Good luck! 
For someone that will do something difficult and important, eg examinations, competition etc.

Καλές δουλειές! [Kales doulies] – “Have a Good Business” 
For someone starting a new business, opening a shop…


This article has been provide by Omilo Language and Culture in Greece.
To learn more about them, please click HERE.
Click HERE to see some of their current courses.
Monday, 14 October 2019 07:00

How The City Of Athens Was Named

Athens is the capital and the largest city in Greece. It is one of the most ancient cities in the world, and its documented history spans over 3400 years.
 
Athens was initially called "Akti or Aktiki" from Aktaeus, the first King of Athens, and later it was called "Cecropia," a name derived from King Cecrops.

Cecrops succeeded King Aktaeus after marrying his daughter. According to Greek mythology, the lower part of his body was the same as that of a dragon. During Cecrops' reign, Athena and Poseidon competed for the protection of the city, each offering gifts.

Poseidon struck his trident on the rock of the Acropolis to reveal a spring of saltwater and a horse ready to serve the Athenian people; Athena, on the other hand, offered an olive tree.

According to legend, Athenian men voted for the gifts of Poseidon, and the women voted for the gift of Athena. Because there was one woman more than there were men, the goddess Athena was preferred, and from that day onwards, the city has been known as Athens.

Originally posted on: e-istoria.com

Translated by XpatAthens
Since it started in the late 1980’s and escalated when the financial crisis hit, graffiti in Athens has popped up everywhere as a way to express widespread unrest. As the Independent reports, “the capital of Greece might be known for the Acropolis, but as you drive into Athens what really hits you is the graffiti.”

There’s hardly a place that hasn’t been tagged by spray paint. Vans, walls, street signs, dumpsters, and even the ancient rocks have paint on them.

Street artist and tour guide Nikolas Tongas says, “Athens is always inspiring people to create... the financial crisis was a huge inspiration for artists who wanted to show from their own perspective an artistic representation of the current economic situation.”

To read this article in full, please visit: Independent
Held at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron Mousikis), Athens had the pleasure of launching the first European Cultural Heritage celebration with the event 'Rebetiko Meets Flamenco and Fados." The event was organized by the Greek Culture Ministry and marked the official start of festivities of the European Year of Cultural Heritage.

2018 will be the year to encourage Europeans to discover and engage with their history, identity, and traditions through a series of events across the continent. It is an initiative of the European Commission with major themes this year in research and innovation and efforts to make cultural heritage more accessible to people across Europe.

The Athens concert showcased three urban popular traditions, which were born and developed in the ports of the Mediterranean. One in particular was the Greek rebetiko genre, which was listed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in December 2017. What is Rebetiko? Click HERE to learn more!

Events will take place across Europe this year. Please click HERE to find out what's happening in Greece!
 
Thursday, 17 May 2018 19:17

May 15 - Happy International Family Day

Nothing is more important than family, especially if you combine it with summer holidays! That's why we present you a list of the best Greek islands and cleanest beaches to visit with you loved ones, as well as how you can altogether contribute to the fight against plastic pollution.

Please click HERE to view this issue of our newsletter!
Remember to stay connected with us through our weekly newsletterFacebook, and Twitter!
Monday, 08 April 2019 07:00

Lights Out In Athens

Last week the Acropolis in Athens was among the landmarks that went dark during Earth Hour in an effort to call for action on climate change.
 
Alexandros Maragos, a Greek filmmaker and award winning photographer, captured Earth Hour in Athens in a beautiful time-lapse video.
 
Lights were also switched off at the Athens City Hall, Lycabettus Hill, the Greek Parliament, and various landmarks across the country, while many citizens supported the initiative by turning their home lights off.
 
Earth Hour first took place in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and since then, more than 180 countries have joined in, including Greece.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
To read this article in full, please visit: Neos Kosmos
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