XpatAthens

XpatAthens

Thursday, 19 February 2015 11:06

Salty Bag Or Greek Recession Chic

Salty bag is the materialised original idea of giving a second life to already useless sails that belongs to four young Greeks from Corfu. Their idea to recycle the sails from the waste was born a little over a year ago.

Stratis, Spiros, Panos and Chrissa decided to continue the voyage of the sails, although not at sea but in different places, by turning them into small and large bags, briefcases, travel bags and small daily accessories. As they say, they give a "second chance to tired heroes."

Today the "salty" bags are offered in 12 shops in Greece and on the website of the company. "We are happy that we are making bags from a material that tells a story. The sails we use are worn out, they are no longer aerodynamic and so, they cannot be used in sailing. However, they are still very durable and can be used for a long time," Business Development Manager of the company Stratis Andreadis, who is a sailing racer and 33rd in the world ranking, told GRReporter.

In the beginning, they used the sails found in the waste. Now sailors can donate the useless sails. A note telling the story of the sail, namely the miles it sailed, the seas, the winds it encountered and the ports it visited, accompanies each bag. "Each bag is unique. It is distinguished by the fabric, the colour and age of the sail from which it is made. On our bags you will see signs of use, of the elements and time."

The "salty" bags are handmade and Chrissa is their designer. The sails are washed using an environmentally friendly method. The company employs six people and the staff will grow depending on the progress of its activity.

The interest in the bags by Salty bag is huge, states Stratis. "We are overwhelmed by numerous positive reactions and messages and this is very encouraging for our efforts. Within eight months we have won almost 5,000 friends on Facebook, other people had become acquainted with our products in the 18 shops that sold them last summer." The company sells 30% of its products abroad and in the summer of 2014, they will be available in 25 shops.

Soon Salty bag will launch a new series of products called "Road to Rio". "For it we will use sails that have a great history as they are the winners of world championships and Olympic medals. We will provide a large portion of the sales proceeds to sailing teams that want to participate in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. So, on one hand we will be able to get closer to the efforts of the Greek talents in this sport and on the other, we will contribute towards their participation in this great sporting event," adds Stratis.

By Anastasia Balezdrova

To read more, click here.

A robust traditional dish with thick spaghetti full of flavours and aromas. You will love its gorgeous taste for sure!

Ingredients

500g thick spaghetti
1/3 tea cup of extra virgin olive oil
1 dried onion, cut in thin slices
1 clove of garlic, crushed
2 country sausages, casing removed
1/2 tea cup of dry red wine
1 green bell pepper, cut in cubes
1 red bell pepper, cut in cubes
1 large aubergine, cut in cubes
800g fresh tomatoes, finely chopped
1/2 tea cup of olives, finely chopped
1 sprig of fresh thyme, leaves picked
1 sprig of fresh oregano, leaves picked
grated kefalotiri cheese for serving
salt
freshly ground pepper

Method

Line a baking dish with greaseproof paper. Put the bell peppers and aubergine in a bowl, coat them well with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and then transfer them to the baking dish. Bake them at 200ºC for 10 minutes until they wilt. Cut the sausages in thin slices. In a casserole type pan warm the remaining olive oil and cook the onion and garlic for a couple of minutes until they get translucent but not brown. Add the sausage and stir it in for 2-3 minutes. Add the vegetables, pour the wine in and wait until all liquids evaporate. Then add the tomatoes, herbs and olives. Season with salt and pepper and simmer the sauce for 10 minutes. In the meantime boil the spaghetti and drain them in a colander. Combine them with the sauce, sprinkle with the grated kefalotiri cheese, mix everything well  and serve immediately.

argiro.com.gr

“Dogtooth,” a 2009 Oscar-nominated film by the Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, was a distorted family drama. “The Lobster,” which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim, takes Mr. Lanthimos’s darkly comic dystopian vision to a deeper level and a much wider audience than ever before.

Written by Mr. Lanthimos and his longtime collaborator, Efthimis Filippou, in their sui generis deadpan style, the film imagines a world in which single people must check into a hotel and if they don’t find a partner within 45 days, they are turned into animals. The film explores with dark hilarity the contorted ways in which people try to find — or force — affinities.

“Someone said, ‘You’re so cynical, you see relationships this way,’ and I said, ‘Well, this is the most romantic film I’ve ever made,’” Mr. Lanthimos said in an interview here. “I always like contradiction in everything I do. It’s both for me an honest view of human relationships, and it has a romantic side of it which is kind of fighting with the more cynical view.”

After “Dogtooth,” which won a prize at Cannes in 2009 and “Alps,” (2011), both low-budget Greek-language films that won Mr. Lanthimos a cult following, “The Lobster” was filmed in Dublin in English. It stars Colin Farrell; John C. Reilly — who appears in three films at this year’s festival — Rachel Weisz; Léa Seydoux; the British television actress Olivia Colman; and Ariane Labed, a Greek-born French actress who is married to Mr. Lanthimos.

“The Lobster” has been one of the most-talked-about films at the festival. The Hollywood Reporter said Mr. Lanthimos “makes a practically effortless transition to the big leagues.” Variety called it “supremely singular” and “a wickedly funny protest against societal preference for nuclear coupledom that escalates, by its own sly logic, into a love story of profound tenderness and originality.”

For more on this, please visit the New York Times
by Rachel Donadio
Greece is the most popular luxury travel destintion in the world, according to an index for 2015 drawn up by global booking engine Switchfly.

According to the booking engine, the country ranks as the most popular with three cities in the top 15: Athens, coming in at the fourth most popular luxury travel destination, whilst Crete and Mykonos come in at numbers 12 and 13 respectively.
 
Switchfly notes that Greece's popularity is no doubt due to its dramatic isles and historical interest, but also to the economic crisis that, whilst creating hardship for local people, "also made travel to the country more affordable - extending the opportunity for luxury travel to those travelers who might otherwise go economy, and incentivizing luxury travelers who like to save a buck."

To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
Wednesday, 28 December 2022 07:00

Vasilopita - Lucky New Year's Cake

Vasilopita is a traditional Greek cake or bread served on New Year's to celebrate the life of Saint Basil. After baking the cake, a coin is inserted though the base and when cut, the person who finds the coin is said to be granted luck for the rest of the year.  

Vasilopita is made of a variety of doughs, depending on the region of Greece and almost every family has its own recipe. The most popular vasilopita recipes are made either with tsoureki dough or like a cake. Here, My Greek Dish shares with us their family's recipe which has been enjoyed for over 30 years.
 
Ingredients

For the Vasilopita:

  • 375g butter (13 ounces)
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 6 eggs (divided into yolks and whites)
  • zest of 2 oranges
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 200g strained yoghurt (7 ounces)
  • 1tsp vanilla extract
  • 750g self-raising flour, sifted (26.5 ounces)

For the glaze:

  • 2 cups icing sugar
  • 2 tbsps hot water (or milk)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

To find out important tips on how to prepare the Vasilopita, please visit: My Greek Dish

History Behind The Tradition

The Vasilopita is made in honor of St. Basil (Agios Vasilios) and a heavy tax burden. It is said that one year, during a time of famine, the emperor levied an excessive tax on the people of Caesarea. The tax was such a heavy burden on the already poverty-stricken people that to avoid debtors’ prison, each family had to give up its few remaining coins and pieces of jewelry, including precious family heirlooms.

Learning of this injustice, St. Basil, who was the archbishop of Caesarea, took up his bishop’s staff and the book of the Gospels and came to his people’s defense by calling the emperor to repentance. The emperor listened! He canceled the tax and instructed his tax collectors to turn over to St. Basil all of the chests containing the coins and jewelry which had been paid as taxes by the people of Caesarea.

St. Basil was then faced with the daunting and impossible task of returning the thousands of coins and pieces of jewelry to their rightful owners. After praying for a long time, St. Basil had the idea to bake the treasures into one huge pita (bread). He then called all the townspeople to prayer at the cathedral. After the church service, he blessed and cut the pita, giving a piece to each person.

The people all joyfully returned home, giving thanks to the bishop St. Basil the Great! In remembrance of this act, Orthodox Christians observe the tradition of the Vasilopita each year on January 1st.

Main image: @polikalablog

Thursday, 14 July 2016 07:00

Checklist For Crete

Crete is the largest island in Greece so there's an abundance of things to do and see. It’s the center of the earliest recorded civilization in Europe. The Venetians, the Ottomans, and others, all of whom left their architectural marks from mosques to castles to fortresses, have occupied it. It’s home to the longest gorge in Europe, full of indigenous wildflowers and shy feral goats. So as not to miss anything, here is a checklist from Paste Magazine that highlights the top sites to visit.
  1. Knossos Palace - The largest and most elaborate Minoan palace on Crete is considered to be Europe’s oldest city, and offers an excellent introduction to an island so central to Greek myths.

  2. Heraklion Archaeological Museum - The magnificent holdings at this museum go back thousands of years of human history, from Crete’s earliest settlements, dating to the Neolithic period through Roman times. The large model of Knossos is one item not to miss.

  3. Samaria Gorge - One of Europe’s longest canyons boasts 1,000-foot cliffs. Hikers wind down from a wooden staircase at the southern end of the Omalos Plateau through rugged, dramatic terrain all the way to the Libyan Sea. Then you can have a swim or continue walking along the coast.

  4. Elafonisi Beach - In this protected nature reserve, you’ll find white sand tinted reddish pink by coral, as well as a part of the Mediterranean Sea so shallow during low tide that you can wade out to an uninhabited island home to 100+ types of plants and flowers.

  5. Cretan Wine Country - The world’s oldest wine press consists of a couple of massive stone urns and a trough through which the liquid flowed 3,500-odd years ago. Peza, an area around the cosmopolitan village of Archanes, produces about 70 percent of Cretan wine. Many wineries welcome visitors by appointment, or you can hang out in the town square, petting the stray dogs and staring at Mount Juktas, which is though to be Zeus’ final resting place.
To read this article in full and for more places to check off for your next visit to Crete, please visit: Paste
With summer being closer than ever, these organized beaches just outside central Athens are the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing swim with the convenience of beach chairs, snacks and beverages, and on-beach wait service.





Vouliagmeni Lake

Vouliagmeni
@lake_vouliagmeni_athens

In the heart of the Athenian Riviera, you will find the hidden treasure of Attica’s nature. Situated on an idyllic landscape, this rare geological phenomenon is waiting to be discovered. The lake’s brackish waters which are continuously replenished both by the sea and the underground thermal springs offer a natural and unique thermal spa experience.
 
Yabanaki

yabanaki
@yabanaki_beachbar

One of the most popular organized beaches. YaBaNaKi's long sandy beach, shallow waters, extensive water sports, and toy facilities along with plenty of dining options make it an irresistible beach fun approach. If you decide to visit Yabanaki you will find a variety of food including pizza, pasta,  a full list of "Goody's Burger House", fish and seafood, ice creams, coffees, and refreshments.

Grand Beach Lagonisi

Grand beach
@grandbeachlagonissi

The "Grand Beach" of "Grand Resort Lagonissi" is considered - and is - one of the best-organized beach complexes in Attica. Beach services include cinema, volleyball courts, tennis, umbrellas and sun loungers, water sports, a practice room, a café, and a very good restaurant with a full menu for all tastes and the whole family 

Bolivar Beach Bar

bolivar
@bolivarbeachbar

It is a happening spot with a young vibe during the day and turns into a nightclub in the evening with major events. The tropical design and seclusion from the busy beach road, really make you forget how close you are to the center of Athens - just 10km away. 

Astir Beach

Astir Beach
@astirbeachgr

It may be the most expensive beach in Athens, but like with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Excellent customer service, great sun beds, and a pristine beach that is always clean and well maintained.




Do you want to learn how to speak Greek? This book will help you to understand and express the basics quickly and successfully. Designed and written for electronic devices, Eleni’s GREEK PHRASE BOOK is the perfect easy-to-use resource for anyone working in or traveling to Greece.
 
If you are interested in a print copy, please get in touch with Eleni directly through her website here: www.lenacke.com



The Most Convenient Addition To Your Device When
Traveling, Doing Business, Or Living In Greece.
 
 
This book has over 1,000 practical and everyday Greek words and phrases and is: 

1. Easy to read and understand.

2. All of the transliterations are in English text--NO phonetic symbols!
For example: pasta [pásta] 

3. All words and phrases are also listed in Greek.
For example: pasta [pásta] πάστα

Eleni's GREEK PHRASE BOOK features: 
  • Over 60 Topics Arranged by Theme
  • A Detailed Pronunciation Guide and Transliteration System
  • An introduction to the Greek Alphabet
  • A Word List with Over 600 English-To-Greek Translations
  • Links to Useful Webpages
  • Information about Greek Culture
  • An Ingredient List for Popular Greek Foods and Desserts
  • A History of the Greek Language
  • Tips on Eating Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-Free in Greece
  • A List of Public Holidays and Year-Round Festivals and Events
  • LEARN GREEK Activities
  • What to do in Case of an Emergency
  • A Month-to-Month Guide on Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables
  • Information about LGBTQ and Greece
  • A Basic Grammar Section
 
Do You Already Know A Little Greek & Want To Learn More?
 

This book will expand your knowledge in different situations, including:


Describing People ׀ Driving ׀ Emergencies ׀ Feelings ׀ Entertainment ׀ Food and Drink ׀ General Conversation ׀ Getting Around ׀ Seeing the Sights ׀ Shopping ׀ Festivals and Events ׀ Public Holidays ׀ Sports and Hobbies ׀ Meeting People ׀ Telling the Time ׀ Vegetarian-Vegan-Gluten Free ׀ Weather

Note, American spelling and vocabulary is used throughout, however, some common British words have also been included for our UK and other international readers.

 
Click HERE To Purchase Eleni's GREEK PHRASE BOOK!


About the Author

Eleni Maria Georgiou is a professional copy editor, proofreader, and writer who lives in Athens, Greece.

She majored in English Literature at the University of Toronto and has minors in Modern Greek and Classical Civilizations. For over a decade, Eleni has partnered with different publishing houses, including Sage Publications, Verso Books, and New Editions. Eleni co-managed XpatAthens for four years together with her bestie, Elena.

Eleni has 2 sweet kids + 1 loving husband, is a founding member of an English-language book club, and is passionate about nutrition… and chocolate-flavored protein bars.

Eleni is bilingual in English and Greek and Eleni’s Greek Phrase Book is her first book.

For more information, please visit: Eleni's official website


The island of Tilos in Greece is going green by implementing an environmentally-friendly network of wind and solar power that will charge batteries, creating an energy-storage system. Tilos will test this new system in the next few months.

While Tilos only has 400 people living there year-round, during the summer months the population rises to 4,000, putting a strain on the islands energy resources.

The project has a total cost of 13.7 million euros (11 million euros being supplied by the EU), and if it is successful, this could be used and replicated on all the islands, encouraging the use of renewable energy.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter
Tuesday, 07 May 2019 07:00

Trireme Olympias-Sailing To History

Set up in 1982 by the historian and academic, John Morrison, naval architect, John Coates, and writer Frank Welsh, the Trireme Trust was created to investigate a centuries-old controversy about the nature of the trireme, the most significant warship of the ancient Mediterranean world. Their collaboration resulted in the building and launch in 1987 by the Hellenic Navy of a full-scale reconstruction, the Olympias, powered by 170 oars arranged over three levels.

A series of six sea-trials between 1987 and 1994 demonstrated that the ship could be rowed efficiently and fast, despite the universal academic opinion that a three-level arrangement of oars was wholly impracticable. In 2004, Olympias was used to carry the Olympic flame across Piraeus harbour shortly before the opening of the Athens Olympic Games.

In September 2004 the Naval Supreme Council decided to designate the trireme as an exhibit in a specially designed space of the Naval Tradition Park. It was also agreed that the trireme should be assigned to the command of the Battleship Averof at the Hellenic Maritime Heritage Park.

Hellenic Maritime Heritage Park
Flisvos 175 10, Paleo Faliro
Telephone: 210 9888211

Operating Hours
Tuesday to Friday: 09:00 - 14:00
Weekends: 10:00 - 17:00

Article Sources: Hellenic Navy & The Trireme Trust






 

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