National Holiday
Yesterday was a Greek National Holiday (Assumption) & also the 'Name Day' for Maria (Mary)
In Greece it is Name Days not birthdays that are celebrated, for more information or to see if you have a Name Day see: http://www.symivisitor.com/Greek_name_days.htm
My Name Day is on August 30th which celebrates Alexandros(Alexandra, Sandra, Sander, Alexander)
There were fireworks going off in the distance in Zakynthos town so although quite late in the evening I headed into town with Justine & Simon to see what was going on. We parked the car where the ferries leave from & walked along the road that runs alongside the harbour. On the way we passed the church of St Dionysios http://www.greeka.com/ionian/zakynthos/zakynthos-churches.htm & took a look inside. It was quite impressive. Every inch of the interior is covered with beautiful paintings.
St Dionysios is the patron saint of the island of Zakynthos & there will be a further big celebration on August 24th which commemorates the transportation of the Holy saints body from the monestry to the church.
After leaving the church we continued walking alongside the harbour & picked up some sort of sesame & honey sweet from a street vendor & further on some very scrummy grilled corn on the cob. There were some wonderful boats in the harbour, we were quessing at multi million £'s worth for most. We eventually came to the main Solomos Square. Here there were several generations of families all out together enjoying the festivities. In the square we stopped at a large grand looking cafe building with many tables outside & I enjoyed a frappe (cold iced coffee for those that do not know) with ice cream in it. Justine had a hot chocolate & Simon an ouzo with water, all accompanied by a bowl of olives. It was so different to being in town at night in the UK, well truth be told I would never do it in the UK. It felt totally safe & friendly, a truly wonderful atmosphere. A strange thing is I was never overly keen on olives in the UK & I have grown to like them already.
At some point I have to venture back into Zakynthos town to apply for my Tax roll number - A.F.M. (pronounced Aa Fee Mee). This is where I believe I will get my first real taste of Greek bureaucracy, we shall see when the time comes.
In Greece it is Name Days not birthdays that are celebrated, for more information or to see if you have a Name Day see: http://www.symivisitor.com/Greek_name_days.htm
My Name Day is on August 30th which celebrates Alexandros(Alexandra, Sandra, Sander, Alexander)
There were fireworks going off in the distance in Zakynthos town so although quite late in the evening I headed into town with Justine & Simon to see what was going on. We parked the car where the ferries leave from & walked along the road that runs alongside the harbour. On the way we passed the church of St Dionysios http://www.greeka.com/ionian/zakynthos/zakynthos-churches.htm & took a look inside. It was quite impressive. Every inch of the interior is covered with beautiful paintings.
St Dionysios is the patron saint of the island of Zakynthos & there will be a further big celebration on August 24th which commemorates the transportation of the Holy saints body from the monestry to the church.
After leaving the church we continued walking alongside the harbour & picked up some sort of sesame & honey sweet from a street vendor & further on some very scrummy grilled corn on the cob. There were some wonderful boats in the harbour, we were quessing at multi million £'s worth for most. We eventually came to the main Solomos Square. Here there were several generations of families all out together enjoying the festivities. In the square we stopped at a large grand looking cafe building with many tables outside & I enjoyed a frappe (cold iced coffee for those that do not know) with ice cream in it. Justine had a hot chocolate & Simon an ouzo with water, all accompanied by a bowl of olives. It was so different to being in town at night in the UK, well truth be told I would never do it in the UK. It felt totally safe & friendly, a truly wonderful atmosphere. A strange thing is I was never overly keen on olives in the UK & I have grown to like them already.
At some point I have to venture back into Zakynthos town to apply for my Tax roll number - A.F.M. (pronounced Aa Fee Mee). This is where I believe I will get my first real taste of Greek bureaucracy, we shall see when the time comes.
posted by Sandra at
1:32 am
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