Mediterranean evergreen wreath for the Winter solstice (+ video)
The point of my evergreen wreath was to create something beautiful by using only local seasonal plant materials from the Rhodian landscape and to celebrate Winter solstice.
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Walnut on Rhodes
Connecting to nature – traditional ways of using walnut on the island of the Sun.
From Hippocrates To Poetry Therapy
“(…) if we can’t talk about our feelings and traumas, if we are not able to find a right language for it, it will make us sick. As a very well-known Hungarian psychiatrist – called András Feldmár – said: you processed your trauma in the moment when you are able to talk about it and everyone is crying around you, but not you (anymore). And through the language of poetry, you can talk about even the most difficult things in a very sensitive and understandable way.” – Izsó Ζita Hungarian poetess (excerpt from the below interview) – Izsó Ζita Hungarian poetess (excerpt from the below attached interview) It is a rare, joyful moment to share such a beautiful interview like this one with Hungarian poets Weiner Sennyey Tibor, Bék Timur and Izsó Ζita who were invited to one of the largest literary events in Greece, the 5th Patras World Poetry Festival to read their poems to the Greek audience and to the poets of 11 more countries. The invitation of the above mentioned Hungarian poets …
We need holy places
In July we need plants, plants, plants, trees, bushes, healing shadows. Thank the Greek Gods, in Rhodes we are still nurtured by huge beautiful trees and shrubs. They do not only provide shade on the hottest summer days – this is their visible gift. They also provide a sense of calmness and greater/different perspectives for the human psyche. Trees create resonant spaces that can effect our consciousness. Why do you think it is a much different experience to sit under an old tree than under a parasol? It is neither an accident that traditional Greek circle dances (which are community rituals) are danced under enormous old trees – you can find them by each little church and community square (platia). Through a natural landscape and plants the world speaks to us. That’s what makes a place a holy space. It speaks to us. And because ancient Greeks heard and understood this language, they named the certain entities inhabited in nature: they were different kinds of Nymphs, the protectors of trees, waters, plants, mountains, caves, bees, …
A cook who can’t feed herself at times
Originally posted on aho's homemade food:
I stopped blogging because I stopped eating. It was not a choice. Nor an eating disorder. Sometimes life throws so much at us that we bend under pressure.? It’s been nearly two years since I moved into domczyk or a tiny summer house deep in the Polish countryside. It’s been over two years since I realised that I might be autistic. The two-year journey ends soon, as I am saying goodbye to this house. It’s time to sail into the deep, scary waters. But before I do so, there’s a story I’d like to share. Domczyk. [spring 2021]Sat at the old, spent wooden table in my no-kitchen, wondering whether the birds’ songs outside and the sunlight sneaking into the room make me more or less depressed.? Kitty’s sleeping, oblivious to the storm that’s going on in my head and the smudgy black stains on my cheeks from what used to be make-up this morning.? Melted cheese on a piece of a bread roll quietly cools and begins to…
“Every drop counts” – visiting the olive grove of the Purefarm family //Rhodes island
I’ve been leaded by Ariadne’s thread into various places on the Greek islands in the past six years while I was searching for the raw essence and characteristics of this magical region on Earth. Rare times these meetings and experiences truly bonded me with nature, and showed me the way towards my ‘egoless self’ too (even that this way is a long one). They showed me the possible ways towards peace, harmony and simplicity. Things I was always craving for – oftentimes in the wrong environment. During my visit on the olive groves of the Chalanta family I became richer with this mentioned rare experience. It was a beautiful, sunny March day on the island of Helios. Maria, the – young, beautiful and extremely kind – only daughter of the family picked me up in the busy and noisy Rhodes town. After a twenty minutes drive we were in the tiny, peaceful Psinthos (Ψινθος) village – one of the 42 villages of Rhodes. From sea-level we drove up to an altitude of 300 meters to …
I confess…
A little self reflection on the 5th of September 2020. Oh, hello. It’s me during work. More precisely: it’s me during healing myself work. I can’t even remember how many rooms I had since I am in Greece… I was kinda fighting against my fate, but nowadays I am becoming more and more relaxed about my possibilities and conditions. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter where and in which room I write my book and doing the necessary transformations on myself. Until I am able to create and to be on the way to give birth to my real self, I am a content woman. I kind of living in my bubble for a long while. I was fighting against this too, but hey! It is so damned good for me. Only this works for me right now. These days (while I am in peace in this wonderful house amongst some olive fields and goats far from society) I am able to put my thoughts together, I am able to systematically and …
Homemade antiseptic cleaning spray for household
I have already written about the very huge impact of certain products, chemicals and substances on our health especially when it comes to women. Because women’s health has an impact on their ovum, therefore on their child’s health. Let’s see this again for the sake of awareness: We should think much forward than today and being super conscious about the following stuff, because they could cause hormonal disbalances and fertility or other health problems in women’s body the most easily: contraceptive pills cleaning products – especially on an island where the hospitality sector is huge and many many people work with all kinds of cleaning products in hotels, accomodations cafés and restaurants. Women should really avoid – at least minimize – working with chemicals! food additives cosmetical preservatives, artificial perfumes, colors in makeup and in all kinds of beauty products insecticide products hair coloring materials materials used for fashion nails nail polish chemicals and artificial odours in feminine hygiene products (sanitary pads, tampons) I have already highlighted above the harmful effect of all kinds of cleaning products and let’s …
My book inspired by Rhodes island
I am living and working on my very first book on the island of Rhodes since 2017. I am searching for my answers in life through researching and at the same time experiencing the contemporary life on the Greek islands of the Dodecanese, therefore this culture will be in the focus of my first book. I was captivated by Rhodes island since my first visit in 2009. After that I became a ‘repeater’, who spent all of her free time and savings on visiting the island again and again. There was something in this local culture and nature I could not resist or ignore. In 2015 I decided to take it more serious and my visits from that year became researches about the character of the local culture which is fading day by day. I did not have a method or education for my research, I had only a very strong inner motivation to do this job. Through this independent project I started to know myself better (especially since the time I moved to Rhodes and …
Workshops for women
coming very soon… Mariann Lipcsei E-mail: mariannlipcsei@hotmail.com
Mental, emotional health & culture
Since my childhood my passion is a deep discovery about us, humans. I am observing my environment in order to find the epicenter of motivations and actions under the surface. As I feel it on my skin, our contemporary culture lost the healthy loving and creative human individual as an ultimate goal of each area of life. Neither education, neither the healthcare system, neither our legal system and the whole social apparatus we live in does NOT deal with emotional and mental sanity of humans. Our technology allows us to fly to the moon, but we are still lacking basic knowledge about our own nature on mental and emotional aspects. This knowledge requires the ability of self-reflexion, and more attention to our feelings, intuitions, the symptoms of our physical body, our human relationships and to our culture. The culture we live in has a huge impact on each individual (especially at early ages of life), and also we, grown-up individuals shape our culture with our actions, decisions or with the lack of actions or decisions. …
Responsible beauty on a Greek island / Being a woman
Right before I moved to Greece I already changed my cosmetics, beauty and cleaning products in my household into natural and environmental friendly ones. It was in Hungary in 2017. It was part of a transition process in my life. Something inside of me made a revolution against all synthetic and artificial and non-true stuff. Suddenly I stopped dyeing my hair after 10 years, painting my nails, I stopped taking contraceptive pills, I stopped wearing even jewelleries, and I wanted to ensure that whatever contacts my skin, and whatever I eat are clean products and substances – although in today’s world it is a real challenge… Why is this “clean lifestyle” important especially for a woman? Well first of all, us, humans are part of the natural environment of the planet. I mention this, because sometimes we forget about it. So whatever we use, it goes out there to our waterways and natural resources, and then backwards. Nowadays humanity is using ridiculous variety and amount of poison in literally each and every field of …
‘Alkyonides’ days
I have already highlighted the beauty and the specialty of winter on a Greek island in this post. But I haven’t mentioned so far this lovely period called Alkyonides meres / Αλκυονίδες μέρες in Greek – in English ‘Kingfisher days’ – which is another reason to visit Greece off season. Greek winter could be pretty chilly and windy, but nearly every year during the Alkyonides meres, which is a meteorological phenomenon of the central Greek climate, there is a lovely period of windless days with clear blue sky and mild temperatures which can reach up to 20°C, or even more! Alkyonides meres could take place from 15th December to 15th February each, but most often between January 16-31. Living on Rhodes (on the sunniest island of Greece) it is never a surprise if we have a strong sunshine, but usually during these days the temperature rises here too. It happened in the previous weeks that we had to turn off the heating, we did not have to make fire in the fireplace. More people …
THE POWER OF SILENCE
“Man, sometimes it takes you a long time to sound like yourself.”
― Miles Davis
Halki island: a journey into a different time and space
Six thousand words about this tiny magic island are touching only the surface. I give you an insight through my eyes, through the hospitality of my local hosts and through the honest memories of a local woman of the island. Tales from the past and the present. For the ones who want to discover deeply, for the real travellers a teaser of Halki island is written here below.
Weekly HELLO from Rhodes – 08/04/19
Hello, welcome to the weekly magazine of a Hungarian woman, who moved to a Greek island in 2017 and writing her book there through an intensive research and interviews with locals. The purpose is giving you an insight about the daily life of this island as a foreigner, and also about the book-writing process. Week 15th / 1st April – 7th April (and all the weeks before…) Oh yes, I just couldn’t keep my promise about posting weekly. I should have known myself better. And also this island. Because on Rhodes you cannot make plans ever… We say it very often here with the other foreigners. Somehow our experience is this: everything is just a maybe and nothing is for sure here. There is always a problem to solve, there is always an unexpected thing coming to you, so you learn to be really flexible. Back in Hungary I have been to Budapest in the meanwhile just for 5 days in February, which was an amazing trip. Visiting my country after 15 transformative months …
15 places to drink coffee in Rhodes town
Well, life without coffee… I’ll let you finish this sentence by your own. But I need one good cappuccino every morning (or whenever I want to use my brain). I love the taste and smell of coffee (I am more addicted than an expert), and a café as a space can function in many different ways for me. A café can give space to: read your daily newspaper, drink your espresso just before running to work (at least in my homecity Budapest, or in a busy capital), to have a date (or a secret date), to meet the girls, to meet business partners, to read a good book, to study, or to work on a project, or just to be inspired by the world goes by around you… or in some lucky situations visiting artistic events or exhibitions. Many ideas, innovations, relationships, love, new thoughts could be born in the space of a coffee shop. I usually sit in cafés to write, and during my first months here in Rhodes town primarily I was searching …
The importance of our intuitions and our own nature in raising a healthy generation / Megérzéseink és saját belső természetünk fontossága egy egészséges generáció felnevelésében
* Görgess lejjebb a magyar verzióhoz * Dear Reader, this time I would like to post a video about a very important topic. This topic is exactly our culture that we live in, and the way how we can live a healthier life inside this really crazy social/economic environment. In the recent past I participated in a Birth Doula Training in Hungary, because I was pretty much sure that the roots of everything in our life goes back to the beginning of our life. And the impact of the environment, the experiences that surrounds us already when we are a fetus, and then especially around the birth process throughout our early years. Women’s health in general, the health during pregnancy, the emotional support of the mother during the birth process, the support for the new family that promotes bonding and nurturing environment for the new life can establish our healthy future on Earth. And it is not an extreme romantic statement. Too many things around us indicate that we just don’t give a damn about …
Weekly HELLO from Rhodes – 04/02/19
*magyar hanganyag a post végén! Hello, welcome to the weekly magazine of a Hungarian woman, who moved to a Greek island in 2018 and writing her book there through an intensive research and interviews with locals. The purpose is giving you an insight about the daily life of this island as a foreigner, and also about the book-writing process. And you can participate in this process too! Every week there is a main thought/question at the end of the post, that you can comment your own thoughts, feelings, ideas about. Different approaches, different way of thinkers are always create movement. And this is what we need! Week 6th / 28th January – 3rd February The 4 weeks long rain is over…? Well… at least last Thursday was the last day of this chain of apocalyptic weather. We had a kind of mini tornado over the sea (υδροστρόβιλος) close to Elli beach, Rhodes town both on Wednesday and Thursday. The photos are amazing, you can check them by clicking on the dates: 30th January 31st …
Weekly HELLO from Rhodes – 28/01/19
*magyar hanganyag a post végén! Hello, welcome to the weekly magazine of a Hungarian woman, who moved to a Greek island in 2018 and writing a book there through an intensive research and interviews with locals. The purpose is giving you an insight about the daily life of this island as a foreigner all around the year, and also about the book-writing process. And you can participate in this process too! Every week there is a main thought/question at the end of the post, that you can comment your own thoughts, feelings, ideas about. Different approaches, different way of thinkers are always create movement. And this is what we need! Week 4th / 21st January – 27th January The Apocalypse is here The weather last week on Rhodes was very similar to a catastrophe movie. We had 3 earthquakes in one week. No injuries or damages happened, but it is a very scary feeling. I felt only the one on Thursday 22nd January, which was the smallest (4.6), but all the furnitures were shaking …
Mushroom collecting in Monolithos
Once upon a time, last December I visited the charming, peaceful mountain village in the southwestern coast of Rhodes island called Monolithos. The name Monolithos means ‘single rock’. The village got its name from the nearby castle that was built 300 meters above sea level on a ‘single rock’ in the Byzantine era and which was fortified in 1476 by the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, Pierre d’Aubusson. It has majestic view, one of the main attractions of the island. It has a small church inside the remains of the walls of the castle worshiping Agios Panteleimon. My visit to the village had a certain purpose that time, because I was invited for a mushroom collecting walk in the neighbouring pineforest by Manolis and Despoina the owners and chefs of the one and only Old Monolithos Taverna inside Monolithos village. Their kitchen is always authentic, clean, fresh, local and of course the food is made by lots of care and love with decades of experience. Because of this authentic kitchen with the fresh …
Why you should spend the winter on a Greek island
Winter is a really good period for travelers, who are deeply interested in the local culture of Rhodes, a perfect occasion to observe the authentic everyday life of the community of the island. This period is also for the travelers who adore nature, silence, who prefer to visit a Unesco site, and ancient, byzantine remains without the crowds of people. For people who are looking for an alternative peaceful, relaxing holiday. Because Rhodes is such a big, fertile, diverse, interesting island with too many gifts of Nature all around the year cycle.
“My wive has been the change I needed…”
Let me share the most beautiful love letter I have every red in my life written and posted on his instagram page by Luka Lesson “Australian-born wordologist of Greek heritage”, poet, rapper.
Some words about freedom…
Let this writing be the second part of my former post, Experiencing powers inside and outside from last September. That was the time when I first felt a really strong urge or instinct to make a radical change in my life, to move. A big amount of passion awakened inside of me suddenly when I came to Rhodes island to finish my research for my book in September 2017. That passion was so strong that time, stronger than ever before. I don’t know why did it happen, I just couldn’t avoid following my heart and feelings even that it looked like a crazy step in my life – there were no rational reasons for this move. So I did follow my instinct. I moved to Rhodes – the place where I’ve found my inspiration, passion and I discovered the most about myself during the last years. I was following my good feelings, I wanted to be at the place where I felt more free, creative, happy and productive in my art and valuable as a human …
Dina’s kitchen – The real Greek home food experience in the heart of Rhodes town
Not all of us have the possibility to taste a Greek mother’s home made food during a short holiday in Greece amongst the several fake touristic places on the popular destinations. So I help you: if you come to Rhodes and want to taste a Greek mother’s authentic plates which is defienetely combined with the real Greek ‘filoxenia’, then visit Dina in the heart of Rhodes town.
Spirit of Kalymnos
In September 2015 it was time for me to sail to the famous island of the spongedivers. I spent 6 days there which is not a long time, but enough to fall in love with the island.
A movie night with another legend – Harold Lloyd
The last open-air movie screening of The ONO bar in August brings you the 3rd big legend of the silent movie era after Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. On the 30th of August ONO represents Harold Lloyd (1893-1971) actor, comedian, producer with two of his best black&white silent movies. They were the 3 big legends of the 1920s America: Chaplin – Keaton – Lloyd. But Lloyd made more films than the other two movie icons together, around 200 motion picture creations. His movies were one of the most successful ones and he was one of the richest and most influential director and actor in Hollywood – actually the highest paid star of the 1920s. He was really the first comedian who put himself into physical danger as a source of laughter with his stunts without any safety equipment. This movie era created the wide aspect of visual humour as a result of the lack of verbal assets on screens. So developing a remarkable character on screen was also an important key of the success. …
A night with Buster Keaton
We continue the open air movie screenings with the most famous black&white movies of the 1920s silent film era in the ONO bar, Rhodes town. After last week’s Charlie Chaplin night, today on the 23rd of August we worship Joseph Francis Keaton (1895-1966) who became famous as ‘Buster Keaton’. Cos Houdini gave him the name ‘Buster’. He was one of the most famous characters of the silent movie era and considered as the best physical comedian ever. He was an actor, comedian, director, producer, screenwriter and stunt performer who was born as a child of illusionist parents. So at the age of 5 he was already on the stage performing as an acrobat. After the stage in his twenties he stepped into the world of silent cinema. There he developed his own unique character on the screen that became the trademark of his movies and performances. ‘The Great Stone Face’ – this is how they called him because of his look. He developed the legendary character of the naiv, innocent dreamer who is always …
Tonight it’s a Charlie Chaplin night in ONO bar… Better don’t miss it!
Join us on tonight in Rhodes town in ONO bar on our Charlie Chaplin night! There will be jazz, there will be popcorn, there will be beer offers, and free entrance!
We are waiting for you!
Why you should join us on Thursdays’ Silent Movie nights in ONO bar
Join us on Thursdays in Rhodes town in ONO bar on our silent movie screenings! There will be jazz, there will be popcorn, there will be beer offers, and free entrance!
ONO – a bar with a vision and style
Let me introduce the ONO bar and Moran Strassler, the man behind it. Behind the idea, the design, the implementation, the investment, the management and actually behind the bar counter too. A young open minded designer from Israel with the passion for hospitality invested everything in his idea: to create a stylish coffee-bar to interconnect people, ideas, inspirations on the sunniest Greek island, Rhodes. Despite of his talent and the really unique concept he has to face with lots of challenges on the way – like everyone who is brave enough to create out of the box and go against the mainstream. The bar is very young, still in its growing phase as it opened in November 2016 in the heart of Rhodes town. I am sure that it will gravitate its crowd within a short time, because it has a strong core and an instinctive concept. It’s character represents authenticity in all of its qualities which makes it really one of a kind. Starting from the unique interior built and designed personally by Moran. …
The messages of ‘Colors of Rhodes’
I am preparing for my very first exhibition with a lot of excitement and love to present my handmade self-designed jewelry collection called ‘Colors of Rhodes’ on the 23rd March on Rhodes island. But I am not preparing alone. I can tell you that this is really a beautiful team work even from the very beginning. Let me share some messages with you that came to my mind during the preparation process for tomorrow’s event in ONO bar. Human touch So first of all I have to highlight that this is a 100% handmade project. Not only my jewelries! ONO bar didn’t just give me the space for this exhibition, but they provided me a tailor made display that we fixed together for this event especially for the jewelleries of Ilios art. I couldn’t imagine more precious presentation for my jewelries, which represents the value of ‘human touch’. We spent many hours of working on the best possible structure and design. And our ideas were multiplicated. So this is one reason why you should come …
Recipes from Rhodes – The Beetroot – παντζαρια
This winter on the island of Rhodes gave me the chance to meet beetroot a bit closer. In Hungary we have a kind of beetroot salad, but I was never into that so much. In general about food I prefer the ‘mediterranean’ approach with its simplicity and always fresh and seasonal ingreedients. During December, January you could see beautiful fresh beetroots with huge stems and leafs everywhere on Rhodes – on the market, in grocery stores, supermarkets, etc. So I could not resist to buy a big bunch of them. I wanted to prepare them the way I usually do, and then my Greek friend Katerina came and gave me some lessons about beetroot. And then Vangelis Pavlidis came and shared some other secrets with me about this fantastic plant, and the way how Greeks prepare it in the traditional way. Which is so simple – as Greeks don’t like to make things difficult – and quick. So now I am sharing this knowledge with you too. Spread the word and cook like Greeks! 🙂 Okay, …
Making the ‘lagana’ bread on Rhodes island
Today is Clean Monday (Καθαρή Δευτέρα / Kathari Deftera) in Greece, the first day of the 40-day-long lenting period before Easter which is called σαρακοστή / sarakosti. They call it clean, because this is the first day of lent and also because in the past the Greek houswifes washed all the kitchen tools with hot water on this day. Most of the Greeks go for a picnic today (called koulouma), or they just gather and eat food according to the lent (without meat, egg, milk) – mainly seafood and vegetarian dishes from the Greek kitchen. And only on this day Greeks eat the λαγάνα / lagana, the special, crunchy lenten flatbread which goes very well with the other foods of Clean Monday (like taramosalata – fish roe salad, tahini, halva, stb…). This bread was already mentioned by Aristofanes, so Greeks have been eating it since the ancient times and still preparing it the same way: covering it with chruchy sesame seeds. It contains a special spice that gives a specific taste and aroma to the bread (they …
Ria Jewelry – a hidden gem in Faliraki, Rhodes
If you go to Faliraki on Rhodes island during summer season you will be kind of lost amongst the numerous tourist shops. But Ria’s jewelry shop – just like Ria herself – is so unique, vivid, extraodinary and sexy. I found her shop two seasons ago, and when I stepped in I felt myself like in a small paradise of colors and different kind of feminine energy. Because us women have so many shades and colors and feelings, attributes to express. So you will definetelly will find a piece of jewelry or accessory in this shop to express yourself as a woman – who you are. And you can find Ria’s own handmade items as well amongst the other designer pieces from different parts of Europe wherever she travels during the year. When I met with Ria end of last season she gave me a little insight about her shop and herself, so here is the result with some photos to introduce you this hidden gem. 🙂 When did you open the shop? How did the …
When the body says: NO / Amikor a test mondja ki a NEM-et helyettünk
“Az emberek életében jelenlévő stressz nagy része érzelmi eredetű stressz, de a legpusztítóbb stressz mind közül az, ha az ember más próbál lenni, mint aki Ő maga” /Selye János/
Thessaloniki in black & white
Let me give you a slight reflection about the city of Thessaloniki after a three-day-long travel this January. I am reflecting about the city through black & white images to transfer a certain kind of mood even that the full spectrum of its colors were stunning and charming. But I don’t want to enchant you now. How do you feel if you see something in black & white? Is it sad? Or too sharp? Or nostalgic? Obscure, or gives you a clearer vision of the substance?
Respect for the new beginnings – the ‘agiasmo’ ritual for a wonderful museum opening ceremony in Archangelos
“Let me introduce you a custom, a glimpse at one tiny ingredient of the “Greek life” through a beautiful ceremony. Because I found that Greeks have a special approach towards new beginnings. Why is it special? Because they are able to stop sometimes, to celebrate particular moments of life and fill them with spirit, gratitude and care.”
Asklipio – the village of “street art” and beautiful kids :)
The “street art” of Asklipio is a really good example that how easy it is to decorate our life with the most simple things.
The blessing of the waters in Rhodes town – 6th January 2018
Blessing of the waters today – 6th of January – in Rhodes town, Mandraki harbour. It was such a nice spot right (next to Evaggelismos chruch) where I was sitting by the sea next to an old, friendly fisherman – Antonis. From here we could saw very well this exceptional event – which is called the Epiphany – and also sunbathing, because the Sun was shining so strongly today. I don’t know what this event exactly means to the people here, but for me it was something new, and yes: magical in a way. I loved the boats, the bells, the lovely kids around, the excitement of the people, the waves in front of my legs, the salty breeze of the sea and the comments of Antonis – the fisherman. 🙂 For me who come from a really different culture, this morning was colorful, fragrant, warm and cozy. Crowds gathered today only to witness the competition of some determined swimmers for the ‘holy cross’ in the cold sea. It definetely had a power, and I …
Growing. Like a tree.
The symbol of the tree in many cultures is the same: growth, reaching up high towards the light, being fertile by giving fruits. In Nature everything grows towards the light. What about humans? For some days I have been thinking about this ‘tree element’ in our life. I feel this kind of growth in my life when I feel safe emotionally (feeling safe to express myself as I am) and also when I am inspired by something, when I am on the way of creating something, when I am open and able to discover and share the beauty and the power of Nature and Human Spirit and to draw attention to this creative life force which can lift us really high. This is my work and my life about. I was always searching for this, but I just realized it recently. And also realized that this is one reason why I always was an outsider of my environment. Whenever I had a vision, or idea most of the time I was told by my environment that …
Being rich
What does ‘being rich’ really mean to us? What if you had no material possessions, but you had the joy, the love in your heart, the smile, and the beautiful stories of your life that you could share with others? This man obviously lives in deep poverty in a Greek village on Rhodes island. But he smiled at me even if I was a stranger to him. He stands proudly next to his old, little crumbly house for one photo, and invited me inside, offering a seat for me and showing me a picture on the wall that he is very proud of. No complaining, no sadness. Not ashamed by the material poverty, not at all…. Because we are much more than that. Because he is rich inside. There are a lot of things above the physical dimensions that last longer than the material world we build around us. We can forget objects, but we never forget human connections and gestures of LOVE. What kind of richness do we need more than…?
A winter weekend with nature lovers in Monolithos village
Last week for me was about Monolithos – the tiny mountain village on the South-West of Rhodes island. On Wednesday I was collecting mushrooms there in the forest with Manolis and Despoina – the owners of Old Monolithos Taverna. Perfect time to enjoy the silence of the beautiful calm nature and also to have an amazing meal of wild mushrooms with a mushroom expert. 😉 After that trip I didn’t have to wait for so long to return to the lovely village, as I heard that a seminar would be held on that weekend by Γιάννης Ελενίτσας (Giannis Elenitsas) agronomist – botanist about the theory and the practice of making 100% natural beeswax cream with oil extract from local herbs. I had no doubts about going there as I am really into herbs, nature and any knowledge about the island and its natural treasures. To top this the seminar was free of charge located in Thomas Hotel with amazing panoramic view of the sea and nature. On Saturday fortunatelly I had the chance to join in the …
Hello Rhodes, here I am!
I arrived exactly 13 days ago to the island of Rhodes, Greece. But this travel is completely different than the previous ones during the last 8 years, because finally I decided to move here. After 8 years of love, dreaming, wishing and researching I landed on Rhodes with 3 luggages on a dark, rainy November night – to start a new life… Even I have been dreaming about this step since the first time I saw the island, everything happend fast and even now it is unbeliveable for me that I’ve made this step. I did not travel blindly, as during the past years I was researching the life, the customs, the attitude and the traditions of the local community with a huge passion for my upcoming book, but of course there is no guarantee about a new life. You decide, you make the first step, you depart and you take the responsibility of the results, of the unknown, of your own rebirth. There is risk for sure and the decision was surrounded by …
The line of love – a letter to myself before I leave…
The past 2 years for me were full of intense changes which finally leaded me to a point where I had to make a strict decision: to follow a very different direction in my life – in many ways. To follow my own sincere way.
Panigiri in Nikia – Nisyros island
I left Nisyros island more than two weeks ago, but I am still missing this island very much. The most beautiful experience was the traditional festival (panigiri) outside of Nikia village at Agios Ioannis Theologos Monastery, where the local people gathered for one crazy night with dance and very very good food under a huge tree to celebrate LIFE in a so simple way. Just letting the joy circulating through their body and spirit. I made a lots of videos, but I share this particular one with you right now to show you how easy to have fun in life – and of course to show you that Greek people are practicing this so naturally. Look at these men and I guarantee that you will feel much better, you will feel the joy while they are liberating themselves through dance and music. THIS IS THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF CRAZYNESS THAT WE NEED FOR LIFE. TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THE PLAYFUL CHILD INSIDE OF US! Otherwise we are lost… Agios Ioannis Theologos Monastery, Nikia, 25. September …
Experiencing powers – inside and outside
Well… I am here in the amazing Dodekanisos, Greece for more than a month. I came here exactly on the day of a New Moon, and I really feel that I started a new cycle in my life – just like our beautiful Moon. It happened accidently, but finally I realized how much my life is connected to nature here. To different aspects of nature. First of all I experienced growth. The beautiful island of Rhodes helped me to open myself and all my senses again to experience the beauty, the love, and a lot more kind of energies around me. It happens all the time when I come here, but this time it was stronger than ever… Rhodes helped me to rediscover some inner power deep inside of me. It is beautiful to reconnect your spirit, to meet new qualities inside yourself, to discover yourself after a long term of being kind of lost and powerless… It is amazing to discover new spaces inside of yourself and also to realize that the world outside feels …
A night with music in Cafe-bar 1900
Last night was very special for me and I guess for everybody who was in Cafe 1900 in Archangelos village on Rhodes island. With these amazing, exceptional musicians we experienced a beautiful journey into a faraway space… I have no more words for that night – music created itself and something unrepeatable was born in front of us through the art of these musicians – it was an open channel. I feel so honoured that I could be part of this deep spiritual experience. Musicians: Anna Nikitiade Despoina Spanou Manolis Christodoulou Panormitis Boubas Taxiarchis Georgoulis
Generations – father and son
Father and son are working together in their garden on a hot Sunday afternoon (27th August 2017) in the beautiful Old Town of Rhodes. Two generations are on one photo. Ilias and Vasilis are carving a sign board for Vasilis’ guesthouse. Ilias the handyman – who is laughing so loud – built their house with his own hands and also the garden which was a busy restaurant years ago – before the crisis. They let me to take some photos of them and also invited me for a lovely conversation into the shady garden. Father and son are working together in harmony, in a silent meditation, but also there are a lot of differences between them. The straight back of Ilias and his elegant clothes even during manual work and in a hot weather takes us back into the past. Vasilis has a different workstyle, and of course lifestyle, because he has grown up in a different era. The differences between our generations shouldn’t prevent loving and accepting each other or learning from each other… …
Green Eco House – hidden paradise for nature lovers on a Greek island
The healing environment of the Green House that Petros and his parents founded gives you the perfect possibility to change gears and return to your natural rhythm. Because we are part of the nature, but sometimes we need to remind ourselves…
Ilios art 