All posts tagged: Rhodes

We need holy places

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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, …

The season of ‘The Lover’ – a gateway of homecoming

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The season of ‘The Lover’ – from the first days of May until Summer solstice – This time of the year is the season of joy, sensuality, Eros, connection, when our Mother Earth, Gaia so generously offers us her beauty and gifts – like no other time within the year. She is catalyzing our connection with the realms of divinities through our body sensations that we can reach by: tasting the sweetness of the first fruits, smelling the mesmerizing oils of the blooming herbs, by admiring the beauty of the untouched flowering landscape and our gardens, by wearing less clothes so we can feel more breeze and sunshine on our skin, letting the light into our soul through our naked body, and also nurturing our skin and whole being by bathing in the sea, the river, or the lake, any wild water. Earth, water, fire, air – all of these elements are accessible for us for healing and generating joy during this season. It seems that also the elements are making love with each other. …

Framing the first Anemone of Rhodes

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Anemone, the word is a Greek one meaning: ‘daughter of the wind’. Its flowers open when the wind blows and they start to bloom with the arrival of the first spring winds – on Rhodes around February. In mythology they are considered as Aphrodite’s tears when she is mourning her love, Adonis.This type we have on Rhodes is called ‘anemone coronaia’ because of the flower’s crown-like middle part which is almost black. Other names for her are ‘Lilies-of-the-field’ and ‘Poppy anemone’.   The anemone below in the frame was collected close to Stegna beach, Rhodes island. This type of anemone is native to the Mediterranean region, specifically Greece, Syria, Israel, France, Italy. Growing at woodlands and meadows and attract pollinators. The different colors they have on Rhodes are so vivid, and they transform the bold meadows into a fairy tale scene every year for a short while when blooming. As a companion I selected a ‘pistacia lentiscus’ leaf to her on the above picture (13*18 cm), which is an aromatic evergreen shrub with strong scent …

The first blooming Narcissus tazetta of the season ’22

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Plants are great teachers – you probably heard this before. And indeed they are. For many reasons. On the first place they are teachers of humbleness. They can’t communicate with words, they don’t shout at you, they don’t wave their arms, therefore you have to be humble, silent, aware, sensitive enough in order to get the wisdom and the messages of the plants. Interestingly ancient Greeks were humble enough to be aware of the silent messages of plants. The vegetation has a major symbolic role in ancient Greek myths. Plants are connected to certain archetypes or realms or attributes of human nature. Ancient Greeks’ intellect was a so called transcendent intellect, so they were able to see beyond the material nature with their intuitive vision. They had a mythical worldview which is above linguistic communication. Much more, much different than that. These myths are crystallized forms of truth. Getting the deep messages of myths and plants both require a non-linear, beyond-material, humble vision of the world (and ourselves in it). We can train ourselves for …

The sacred plant of the Rain God: the Mexican marigold

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Few weeks ago I received a strange dried flower bouquet from a local farmer here on Rhodes island. I consider him as a local shaman although he would never accept this title. He is the person who was teaching me the most about plants and the divine cosmic design. So he gave me these strange yellow flowers amongst dozens of others, and did not say anything about them. Back home I found its name at least: Mexican marigold or Tagetes Lucida. But I didn’t really look up for more info. Now I am reading a book about archaic images, symbols of water, moon, feminine, underworld. It describes a God of the Aztecs: Tlaloc. He was the rain deity, the ruler of the mysterious water-underworld: Tlalocan (Greeks called it Hades) where the great ancestors, the wisdomholders lived. The rain is the blessing of the otherworld, and ancestors. It is the nourishing source which maintains life on Earth. The Great Ancestors send love to Earth in the form of rain. Rain and water was the primordial element …

“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 …

Responsible beauty on a Greek island / Being a woman

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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

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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 …

Weekly HELLO from Rhodes – 08/04/19

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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

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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 …

Weekly HELLO from Rhodes – 04/02/19

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*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

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*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 …

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.

Dina’s kitchen – The real Greek home food experience in the heart of Rhodes town

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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.

A movie night with another legend – Harold Lloyd

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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

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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 …

ONO – a bar with a vision and style

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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’

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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

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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

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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 …

Ria Jewelry – a hidden gem in Faliraki, Rhodes

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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 …

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 …

Gazdagnak lenni

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Mit jelent számunkra a gazdagság? El tudod képzelni azt, hogy nincsen sok fizikai tárgyad, amit birtokolsz, viszont a szíved tele van örömmel, melegséggel, történetekkel az életről, melyeket bármikor megoszthatsz másokkal? Ez a férfi egyértelmű fizikai szegénységben él egy görög faluban. De amikor összetalálkoztunk az utcán azonnal rám mosolygott. Büszkén és örömmel állt meg omladozó háza ajtaja mellett egy fotóra a kérésemre. A találkozásunk 15 perce során egy panasz, vagy negatív gondolat sem hagyta el a száját. Azonnal beinvitált az aprócska házikóba, hogy megmutasson egy képet a falon, amire nagyon büszke. Hellyel kínált, marasztalt, de csak nagyon finoman, mosollyal, szeretettel. Az anyagi szegénység miatt egy csepp szégyenérzetet nem mutatott, csak az öröm és a büszkeség látszott rajta. Hiszen sokkal többek vagyunk a felhalmozott fizikai értékeinktől. És ezek a dolgok mindig tartósabbak, mint az anyagi múlandó világ. A tárgyakat elfelejtjük az életünkben, de az emberi kapcsolódásokat, összetalálkozásokat, és az egymásnak adott gesztusokat nem… Mi az, amire igazán szükségünk van a felépített fizikai világból? Építjük a másik világunkat is? Van belső forrásunk, kutunk, amiből meríthetünk, ha a fizikai …

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…?      

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 …

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… …

Kritinia Panorama – the gift of Nature

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On Rhodes island the traveller can experience both the quiet, sandy, crystal clear beaches (Eastern coast) and the wild, windy area with lots of waves (Western coast). Each coast has a lot of sigths to visit, but they have really different athmosphere. Now I recommend you a sight on the west side of the island which is not a well-known spot and despite of being on the “wild” side this can be the perfect place of peaceful, meditative moments to get rid of the worrisome thoughts. The Kritinia Panorama is a viewpoint created by nature, where you can enjoy a fascinating view of the neighbouring islands of Chalki and Alymia and also we can rest our eyes on a calming valley of pine forest. The evergreen valley of the pine forest has an ‘S’ shape with very gentle, soft lines. This tender geometry of nature reminds me of a refined woman. If you really allow yourself to melt into the view you can experience different feelings. Perfect spot for recharging our batteries, to breath worries, …

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 …