Kalo Mina - Helping Hand

MAGIC! And it is! Though have you any idea how much time has been spent by all of these musicians to reach this state of excellence? God how I would like to be involved in such a recording! Well, keep practicing Jane!

Kalo Mina Everyone,

I did intend getting out there to pick wild flowers today, but watching this video has made me all the more determined to kick ass with Valentino. Get to those scales Jane, cellos don't play themselves. And anyway, it's a bit chilly outside.

Speaking of outside, looking out of my window I can see a man on a roof fixing a water system for a neighbour. In the street his mates are preparing to barbecue. Hm... maybe I will go out after all, I've a couple of chops in the fridge, and half a bottle of...STOP! See the big picture gal, SCALES.
Okay, it was just a thought. Hope you enjoy the video as much as I do.

Have a lovely Mayday wherever you are.
Love Jane x

Second Hand Charity Shop in Agios Nikolaos, Crete.

I spent the morning in Agios Nikolaos today. My mission was to locate the Charity Shop, which I had heard about. As you see, I did find it, in a very convenient position, just up the side of the big church on the road to the square at the top of the town. I also asked if there was a soup-kitchen in Agios, apparently not, but above the charity shop there is the KAPI (I hope I have spelled that correctly), anyway, the KAPI is an organization run for older people. It is a place where pensioners can go for a cup of coffee, and a chat with other pensioners. I am sure there are activities and the like organised for these people too. I was also informed that above the KAPI there is the office of Social Security, where those people who are desperate, i.e. have no money for food, clothing etc., can go and talk to someone who will help them.

Proceeds from the shop will go towards the social needs of the area of Agios Nikolaos, so, if you do have something to donate towards this good cause, or if you are looking for something to buy, do visit the shop - it is the only one of its kind in the town. And some things have been given by shops, and are brand new. I picked up a children's book, in Greek, but there are English books too, and videos and DVD's. Go and take a look next time you are in Agios.

Charity Shop opening hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day except Wednesday, when it is 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Weekdays, I'm not sure about Sunday).

Information supplied by my Greek teacher, Manolis. Thank you Manoli.

KAPI = Open Care Center Elderly
 
  The institution of KAPI created in 1984 by a legislative initiative funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The institution has gradually evolved through local government, developed and expanded throughout the country which now reaches more than 900 work centers. The basic philosophy of the institution is to defend the social rights of the elderly. The services of the center aimed at men and women over 60 who live in the area of operation regardless of the economic and social situation.

Κ.Α.Π.Η. = Κέντρο Ανοικτης Προστασίας Ηλικιωμένων

 

 Ο θεσμός των ΚΑΠΗ δημιουργήθηκε το 1984 με νομοθετική πρωτοβουλία και χρηματοδότηση του Υπουργείου Υγείας και Προνοίας. Ο Θεσμός εξελίχθηκε σταδιακά μέσω των οργανισμών τοπικής αυτοδιοίκησης, αναπτύχθηκε και διευρύνθηκε σε όλη τη χώρα όπου φθάνει μέχρι σήμερα να λειτουργούν περισσότερα από 900 κέντρα. Βασική φιλοσοφία του θεσμού είναι η προάσπιση των κοινωνικών δικαιωμάτων των ηλικιωμένων. Οι υπηρεσίες του κέντρου απευθύνονται σε άντρες και γυναίκες άνω των 60 ετών που κατοικούν στην περιοχή λειτουργίας τους ανεξάρτητα από την οικονομική και κοινωνική τους κατάσταση.

Bye for now,
Love Jane x

Neapolis Carnival Sunday 19th Feb

Απόκριες 2012 στην Νεάπολη

'Οταν στη Νεάπολη λέμε αποκριές το εννούμε. μια μερα για ολους μικρους και μεγάλους με εκπληξεις πολλές πάρα πολλές, λουναπαρκ, ξυλοποδαροι, κλοουν, παιχνίδια, χορό, μουσική και κέφι για όλους μικρούς και μεγάλους! Για την μεταφορά απο την κεντρική πλατεία θα υπάρχει το τρενάκι, αντε παρκινκ στο ΕΠΑΛ και ΠΑΜΕ ΑΠΟΚΡΙΕΣ

 

When Neapoli says 'apokries' they mean a day for adults and children with many surprizes, fairground, clowns, games, music and entertainment for all!

See you there!

Jane x

Apokries Party in Vrahassi 19/2/12 at 6 p.m.

Αποκριάτικη Γιορτή για μικρούς και μεγάλους του Πολιτιστικού Συλλόγου Βραχασίου ο Αναύλοχος την Κυριακή 19/2/12 στις 6.00 το απόγευμα

Ο πολιτιστικός Σύλλογος Βραασίου "ο Αναύλοχος" διοργανώνει Αποκριάτικη Γιορτή για μικρούς και μεγάλους, την Κυριακή 19/2/12 στις 6.00 του απόγευμα στην αίθουσα του πολιτιστικού συλλόγου στο Βραχάσι. Είσοδος Ελεύθερη.

That is this Sunday at 6 p.m. Get out your masks and join in!

Love Jane x

THE NEAPOLIS CHOIR SING IN SISSI

This was a lovely event, organized by the Cultural Committe of Sissi. An evening of live music, food, drink and Christmas magic. And, if you look at the pictures carefully, you may see Father Christmas being serenaded by his little helpers, Gillian, Julie, and yours truly. (Thanks to Dr Zacharias Fthenakis for supplying the photographs). I hope this will become an annual event, with gift stalls, home made produce maybe, and something for the children. All good Christmas fun!

AND SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I sang, I swam, I played cello, and I shared a whole load of food and drink with my friends. Not quite a traditional Cretan Christmas, but the two merged together very well.

On Santa's trail in Rethymnon!

The 'switch on' of Sissi Christmas tree. Gillian, Julie and I did play, but as yet no photo.

Sissi boys enjoying the evening.

Christmas Eve, Julie and I played carols and all our friends sang along. We were outside the Oasis bar, which is opposite the big church in Neapolis. Later that night David and I had a few friends around for Christmas Eve drinks, and...

...then there was Christmas Day! First a chat with our family in England as they opened their presents. Then cosies on and off again. So few crazy people on the beach that day, but David and I didn't let the side down. Together with Mark and Jim, we took the cold plunge and enjoyed every minute.

Then it was back to Vrahassi for a lovely hot shower, and off to Ian and Diana's house for a wonderful Christmas dinner.

And now, David is back in his overalls working on our extension ready for Jo coming to stay this summer, meanwhile, I have just finished polishing and vaccuming, preparing yet more food and catching up with my e-mails. The dogs are sitting in the sunshine outside, and all is peace and quiet. A perfect re-charge day. I hope your Christmas time is as good as ours.

To all my blog readers, I wish you the very best for a wonderful New Year.

Oh, and that reminds me - Cosmos bar in Vrahassi, has been refurbished, new toilets, new tables and chairs, new most everything, and it is now open for drinks and nibbles. George, who runs the place, says it is a Raki Bar. We popped in on his first night. For sure it is a welcome addition to the night spots of Vrahassi.

Love and all things nice, Jane x

SOUNDS OF CRETE AT EPANO SISSI

David and Jane met David and Jayne for a bite to eat at Epano Sissi during the annual church festival. Lots of our Vrahassi neighbours were there. On the way there we noticed that the new road which leads around the back of Anavlohos, has been closed off. I would think that further work is being carried out. There will be a lovely scenic route to Vrahassi when it is finished. A new pipe line is also being put in along the road, all ready to service new developement between Vrahassi, Sissi, and Milatos. It really is an up and coming area.