A very Happy Birthday

Our Romanian neighbours were celebrating the first birthday of their son Dimitri, and insisted that we went along to the celebrations. So, along with family and family we went to the setting, in the local stables, in in keeping with their culture there was a great deal of food, lots to drink and of course music and dancing.
  We had met many of those there previously and felt at home, even with some language difficulties. The setting was excellent for the families with children as the stables have a play area as well of horses  of various shapes and sizes, of course, as well as other animals.
  It was interesting to see their customs, a little different from a typical English party, but tradition dictated a birthdaycake, complete with fireworks instead of the more traditional candles!!

A new beginning

NEIGHBOURS Dimitri and Monica kindly invited us to the baptism of their son, also called Dimitri, another great experience. First to our local church for the official ceremony. Here the Godmother takes on special meanings and plays a great part of the ceremony. The child is bathed in the font into which is placed water and blessed olive oil. 

  Only when this is done is he dressed in special clothes for the day. It was all going well until the water part, and the youngster made sure that everybody when he was not too happy!! After all this tradition it was off to a local taverna, where guests were well fed and watered as they say. Most of the group invited were Romanians, so the music and dancing were different. Every guest at the church were handed little mementos, the family choosing a naval theme for the whole event. At the reception were specially made table decorations in the form of boats and there were special pins for everybody to wear.

  We thought as we left late that was the end of the events, but the next day the family called us when  it is traditional for the child to be bathed by the Godmother. Further food came out for all there, and even a BBQ later in the afternoon, as further friends called to add their best wishes,