“Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us”. -Voltaire
«Η ζωή σπέρνεται πυκνά με αγκάθια και δεν ξέρω άλλη θεραπεία παρά να τα περάσω γρήγορα. Όσο περισσότερο επιμένουμε στις ατυχίες μας, τόσο μεγαλύτερη είναι η δύναμή τους να μας βλάψουν». -Voltaire
Happy first of the month! ΚΑΛΟ ΜΗΝΑ!
It’s still a bit chilly in Athens and we are still under quarantine restrictions. It was a very long and crazy winter here.
Here are a few pictures of a stray cat named Lucas who likes to sleep in the clay pot outside.
Just pondering life..
Ελευθερία ή θάνατος! (Eleutheria e thanatos) ‘Freedom or death’. The motto that inspired the Greeks during the revolutionary wars. The revolutionary wars were fought from 1821-1830.
Today, Greeks world wide are celebrating the 200 year anniversary of Greek independence. In the 15th century the Ottoman empire invaded Greece, and as a result Greeks lots their identity, their human rights and became enslaved peoples on their own land. They were not allowed to bear arms, or own horses. Harsh taxes were imposed on the people of Greece who spent most of their days in the fields working to pay off the taxes. There were no schools, no education. As a result Greeks fell behind western Europe which was prospering, and developing at a rapid rate. Four centuries later the uprising in Greece finally took hold, and with very little help from other European nations, Greeks freed themselves from the shackles of the Ottoman Empire. After many years of trials and tribulations, after the revolution and in recent times, Greece-Ellas- has now become a beacon of light to the world as it once was.
“The Greek Revolution of 1821 as a pivotal chapter in Greek history and a piece in the puzzle of world history. “
A stunning and moving video with photographs of reenactments of the Greeks who lived and fought during the revolutionary war. Photographer Elias Pergantis did an incredible and difficult job as it took him four years and extensive traveling all over Greece to put this together.
Χαίρε, ω χαίρε ελευθεριά! Ζήτω η Ελλάς!!
I rarely use filters for my photographs. I don’t really like the end result. I find the natural hues more beautiful , however sometimes a filter can enhance a photograph and make it more appealing.
Yesterday we celebrated ‘Clean Monday’ in Greece. The tradition is that we eat fish and fly kites. It is the beginning of the severe fasting leading up to Easter Sunday in May.
Happy International Women’s day!
I love the word katharsis. It is derived from the Greek word ‘καθαρση’. It means a cleansing and purging of the soul. And we have seen a lot of purging lately. A purging of the truth.
In the past few years we have seen more and more people speak up and reveal their truths. Silence isn’t so golden anymore. The important and extremely necessary #metoo movement began in the U.S in 2006 by Tarana Burke. The movement finally took hold in Greece this year. Many shocking revelations about abuse and sexual harassment in the sphere of theater and sports and beyond were brought to the surface. Many people were shocked to the core. But, was it really that shocking? Didn’t everyone already know? What was shocking was that women and even men were speaking up about a very taboo and sensitive issue so publicly.
The tide has finally changed and years of misogyny and abuse is finally being discussed and dealt with. It’s not about hating men, but hating on what the terrible things that they’ve done. I believe that men are geniuses. That they are truly very talented. Not just because of their achievements like their inventions, architecture, philosophy, mathematics etc. but for the fact they, for hundreds of years, have convinced women that they are weak, inferior and stupid. That women have nothing to contribute to society. That their only contribution is to bear a man his children. That they have to get married for the purpose of serving him. This is their only purpose in life.
That is truly genius!
I’m glad that women are finally speaking out all over the world. And fighting for their rights. For equal pay for the end of violence and harassment towards women. These are truly remarkable times we are living in. Women who, in the past, would never dare call themselves feminists are now waking up and are changing their minds. Many men finally feel a sense of shame-as they should. And I am here for it!
A few photographs of the snow on the mountains of Attiki region of Greece. The snow from the unusual snow storm ‘Medea’ has all melted away, thank goodness.
Μερικές φωτογραφίες από τα χιόνια στα βουνά της Αττικής εδω στην Ελλάδα. Το χιόνι από την ασυνήθιστη χιονοθύελλα ‘Μηδεια’ έχει λιώσει, ευτυχος.
Angelo may be as white as snow, but that doesn’t mean that he is a big fan of it. It took him a while to finally step in to the snow after I let him out. He was very shocked by it as he was not used to such a snowfall.
He prefers the summer. He loves the heat and sun bathing 🙂
A few photographs of my frozen plants in my garden. They got the shock of their plant lives when an unusual cold snap hit Athens. So strange, especially after an unseasonably warm week more than a week ago. I hope they survive this and heal from the trauma! 😉
Μερικές φωτογραφίες των κατεψυγμένων φυτών μου στον κήπο μου. Πήραν το σοκ από τις φυτικές τους ζωές όταν ένα ασυνήθιστο ψύχος έπληξε την Αθήνα. Τόσο περίεργο, ειδικά μετά από μια απροσδόκητα ζεστή εβδομάδα πριν από μια εβδομάδα πριν. Ελπίζω να επιβιώσουν και να επουλωθούν από το τραύμα! 😉
A historical and rare snow storm arrived in Greece this week. Such a snow fall is rare for Athens. I don’t recall seeing that much snow fall in the city in all the years that I have been living in Greece. The turbulent storm was named after the turbulent character of Medea in Ancient Greek Tragedy. A fitting name as three people lost their lives.
Due to the pandemic, most people were home and few people were out enjoying the snow-at least in my area. It was eerily quiet. A bit of a dystopian kind of vibe. But, the weather brought back memories of Toronto where I was raised. And of course I took a lot of photos 🙂
My most recent images of my cat Angelo. You don’t mess with this guy..you just don’t! 😉
Η πιο προσφατες φωτογραφιες του γατιου μου, Ο Αγγελος. Δεν τα βαζεις μαζι του..απλα μην. 😉
