Feed me, feed me!

WE have always admired the Greek hospitality, but even we were surprised the other day during an excursion to the southern area around Mires. There were three coaches packed for the trip, mainly to go to three local monasteries. The first was in the area called Plora, although our coach driver decided he knew a better route, and in fact ended up arriving 30 minutes after the other two.

  By the time we did get to this little monastery, who were celebrating their name day, the building was packed and there must have been around 100 more outside. Although it was a bright day it was a little chilly in the wind, and many, including us, we offered a seat inside where there was free coffee along with honey biscuits, fruit, nuts and sweets and holy bread in abundance. 

  As the ceremony in the church finished we moved to the exit where we all stopped and were handed large plastic bowls full of rice pilaf and a large piece of lamb, along with a bread roll and another drink. We can never understand how they can cater on such a scale, but more so how many to cater for, there is always enough. It was then to Mires for coffee before the larger monastery at Kalyviana, where there was almost biscuits for all along with drink. The hospitality also continued on the coach where no one, but two large boxes of chocolate cake and biscuits came around, together with nuts and Raki, the national firewater.