All posts filed under: Culture & Travel

From Hippocrates To Poetry Therapy

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“(…) 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 …

“Every drop counts” – visiting the olive grove of the Purefarm family //Rhodes island

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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 …

My book inspired by Rhodes island

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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 …

‘Alkyonides’ days

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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 …

Halki island: a journey into a different time and space

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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.

15 places to drink coffee in Rhodes town

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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 …

Why you should spend the winter on a Greek island

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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.

Making the ‘lagana’ bread on Rhodes island

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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 …

Thessaloniki in black & white

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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

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“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.”

The blessing of the waters in Rhodes town – 6th January 2018

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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 …

Being rich

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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

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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!

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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 …

Panigiri in Nikia – Nisyros island

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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 …

A night with music in Cafe-bar 1900

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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

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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… …

A little bit of Rhodes on my balcony

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Well, it is not a surprise that I do miss my beloved Rhodes island. But untill my next visit I try to create a kind of ‘rhodian’ atmosphere at my home. So I just picked the most basic garden-furniture ever from IKEA: TÄRNÖ chairs and tables, and I painted them with 2 specific colors which I see very often on the streets of the villages of Rhodes island. These two colors were ocher and gentian blue. Of course my love helped me with burnishing the wooden pieces and with disassembling the parts of the furniture, that I would never ever do by myself… The design itself just happened, I did not think a lot about them. I just wanted to create inverse pieces – as I processed 2 chairs and 2 tables. Sooo, this is how it happened: And finally I show you all my inspirations for this project from the lovely, colorful Rhodes island (photos were taken by me in Lachania, Koskinou, Archangelos villages and in the Old Town of Rhodes): And one bonus inspiration …

The spirit of Kalymnos – photobook

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I have been deeply inspired to visit a small island on the Aegean sea called Kalymnos by a man called Giannis. I have met Giannis in 2014 first in Rhodes island where he is running an exceptional ‘ouzeri’ with his wife Litsa. With their food they try to represent the kitchen of Kalymnos – the island where Giannis was born – and with their filoxenia (Greek word for Greek hospitality) they try to treat the guests like family members. The character of Giannis is the extra spices of the place and captured me so much with his love for music and life. So I went to Kalymnos to discover the roots of this ouzeri and visit the homeland of Giannis. Kalymnos was love at first sight for me and in 2016 I made a photobook about my first visit to the island. The book contains my favourite moments and photos taken by me and includes some knowledge about the island. I recommend it to Everyone of You with love! Click on the picture below to reach …