If you knead to now - it's the best!!!

Forgive the play on words, but out of a small almost run-down shack in the small town of Georgioupolis, to the west of the island, comes some of the most amazing bread you can imagine.
It's made in the very traditional way, they only make two shapes (round and oblong) as well as paximadi, the hard bread, but they turn out hundreds of loaves daily from the traditional ovens, and people come from miles around to collect. It seems no matter what time of day you enter this dark building, there is always the tantalising smell of fresh bread, it's always laid out on large tables, and is always seems, at least to us, that it has just come out of the ovens. Even when you get it wrapped, they tear up the paper flour sacks before putting it, if you ask, into a plastic bag.
The paximadi are also special, although cooked twice, it is the white bread sliced. We call it Yia Yia bread or grandmothers!!  It is dense, has a hard crust, but will keep fresh for a week.We were in that area at the weekend, and had to purchase some of these two kilo loaves for friends, who were ecstatic that we got this for their family.

No, Yes, No - well maybe - Yes

CONFUSED? Of course you are and we refer to the popular traditional dance nights in the village on Monday nights.
  Every year since we came here, Monday nights from June is reserved for music and dance through the village square. It is very popular with the tourists and more popular with the taverna owners, although they always bitch about having to pay for it. Last year was the same, yes they would, no they would not. In the end they took a cheaper option - a disaster and the second week they reverted to the more expected professional group, As a result the square was totally packed every Monday,m with many returning in the week for another meal in the taverna of their choice.
  We were told - without a doubt - there would be no Monday music, we even told others the same. Imagine our surprise when we heard music coming from the square. Out we went and they were there - dancers and music - a cheaper option yes, but they were there.
  Somebody took the decision as late as 5.00pm, and there was no time to tell everybody - result, a poor turnout of tourist. Will it be back? Watch this space!!!
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UPDATE:::::: The answer, for the moment is YES!! We had another Monday with music and hundreds of tourists, who enjoyed the great atmosphere- are the taverna owners realising that this is the way forward - maybe

 

Dancing in the streets

AT last we have traditional Music Nights back every Monday in the village. After tavern owners failed for two weeks to make up their minds and agree to pay, the nights have been re-established and the square in packed on Monday's

 This always has a knock-on effect as people come up for the first time, place themselves in one of the many tavernas, and realise that this is a pretty and hard working village. The square has trees along one side, a featured water-fountain the the middle and all the owners have made special efforts to upgraded their buildings for the new season.

  There have been changes to the format odf the dance troup as well as changes with the actual music, which is really traditionaol and not just fior tourists. We actually see some of the locals gravitating to the square, and some actually go out to dance.

  Hopefully as the season progresses every table will be full every Monday, although the island is still not as full as everybody likes, at least they can be fully entertained.  The nioghts should continue right through to September - October, however if the trend does contiunue the outcome for many establishments on the island will be dire.

When No really means NO!!

THE traditional Oxi Day (No Day) is celebrated throughout Greece in one way or another,. Because of the situation in the country at present that has brought about many changes, including demonstrations against the country, mainly by students. 

  The biggest parade here in Crete is usually at Heraklion, but we decided to give that a miss this uyear and went to enjoy the parade here in Hersonissos. It was centred around the big church, attended by council and church dignitaries, and then the parade started. Although there was no marching band, the parade assembled to packed local streets and they came in their hundreds to march through to loud music. It was great to see so many young children respecting their history, with many of them  in national costume.