Dec./09 BLOG ALERT...new articles: Scotland(Glasgow) Angels, Burrell Collection, etc//Ireland(Belfast, Ancestors,Megalithic Sites-Newgrange, Knowth

NEW ARTICLES:

Enjoy the many photos on Glasgow, Scotland,
the Waverley Cruise, the fabulous Burrell Collection

and...

my journey to Belfast, Ireland and my search &
finding of my Celtic ancestors; then on to
Megalithic sites -Newgrange & Knowth built
around 3200 BC

Dec./09 Christmas in Naxos, Greece

A wonderful Christmas to everyone...and a healthy fulfilling new year!
This is a ceramic tile on the bathroom wall of the villa....

quite suitable, don't you think!?

My annual ritual of an advent candle...started 4 weeks ago

with 1 lit candle on the 4th Sunday before Christmas (Prophecy

Candle), then the next Sunday, 2 candles lit (Bethlehem

Candle), the next Sunday, 3 candles lit (Shepherd Candle),

then last Sunday 4 candles lit (Angel Candle)...a quiet,

meditatitive time....

Do you see see the wee black cat by Mary's robe? This time

exposure shows the baby kicking and Mary's hand as well.

This is a nativity scene in a small alcove along the street.

St. Nikodemus, Greek Orthodox Church. I attended part

of the service twice and it was truly a lovely experience.

St. Nikodemus, once lived here on Naxos, in the early

1800's.

Oct.-Dec./09 Sunsets...gifts from the gods

Dec./09 Another Mountain Village-Appollonis

A long windy drive to another village...in summer it is

thriving. For us, we were the only travelers. The cafe

owner opened just for us to make us tea.

A lovely spot...but a rougher coastline

Dec./09 Mountain Village--Apiranthos

Apiranthos, the oldest mountain village on Naxos, about 26 kil.
from the harbour of Hora. Known for its citrus (lemons, oranges...
it is famous for its citrus liquor.

Apiranthos, with its streets, passageways made of white
Naxian marble, some of which have become very sloped
due to ....time. A lot more algae and we saw not one
tourist. We bought walnuts and a hard cheese that was
fantastic grated onto spaghetti.

Carrying sack of sand for construction.

Modern life has reached her too!

Taking a break from her work in the cafe.

A goatherder taking the sun.




The pathway to the Church

Dec./09 Settling Into Naxos as Home Community

.

Taken today, Dec. 21st..not bad for December!

A little buddy at the internet cafe

Looking at some things in an antique shop

Anastasia, on my right, the owner of Villa Paradisia. We

were invited to her husband's name day, or birthday

party. She is also into construction of homes on Naxos

as well as owning the largest women's clothing store.

Anastasia and Dov at the end of the table and the rest

of her family. Most of the food came from their 50 acre-

farm.

I am almost positive that this is the spot where I once had

sat, 42 years ago. I remember a tiny cafe being here, going

in a basement door, still here, and pointing to the food I

wanted. The windows, red trimmed, would be opened

so that the bags holding potatoes ,on donkeys ,would be

dumped through the windows into the cafe. Memories...

St. Nikodemus Greek Orthodox Church.

Nikodemus was born here on Naxos in the

early 1800's and became a monk. Those

who wanted to learn to read/write pretty

much had to join a monastery in order to

do this.He became famous in Greece for

his copying of liturgical manuscripts which

were used throughout Greece and then

he was made a saint. Beautiful icons of him

in the church, many, many other saints as

well.

We were included in a family party celebrating a baby's

christening. It was great live music and dancing and we

got up and boogied too. We were given some food, cake

wine of course and felt very welcomed.



This is where I have sat and emailed you all

many times even as I am right now.

It is the office of Villa Paradisia.



Hah...the pigs...about 2 blocks away shot with my

new camera. Can hear them squeal especially towards

dusk.

This is the Grotta area, actually the area where Neolithic

settlement has been found. Now expensive homes, shops.




A very typical day. Just as grass is re-growing in the

fields below...it was lightly tilled over...and then the sheep

will be back.



Towards the beach area...where board surfers...played

until late October.

Just part of the miracle of being here.



A close-up of the area. Had a lot of wind shortly we

moved here.

Some more magic ...with the sounds of

animals settling into the night.

Shining in the sunlight on my balcony.


The white steps going up and then to the right-

those 2 top levels are ours.




Independence Day...all the school children are

in a parade along the harbour. Also a couple

of school bands

Marble quarries in the interior.

A very typical day here from the balcony.

Peering over the fence along our road.

A poor frog trapped in the swimming pool after a storm.

We got him out...and after a breather, disappeared.

Just below in a nearby farm. Every day, same

time she feeds these geese. Just after the 5 pm

church bells.

The Grotta....one of the first areas to be

settled, now with villas.

Out with Anastasia...you park wherever!

A typical scene of the interior of Naxos...

terracing, olive groves, citrus orchards.

I am sitting at one of the oldest areas of the

town...the square...and I am on what used to

be the main well, fountain area. Now it is a

decorative fountain. A very typical cafe

there.







Anyone for calamari...octupus?

One of the most interesting of the shops...dry

fruits, cheeses, honey, spices, wine, etc, etc.

This little boy...doing what is happening all over

the world...being baby-sat with a tv while his

dad works his shift here. His grand-father

owns this and in time, this little boy will also

probably work here. Notice the barrels of

olives, capers, nuts...

We are part of the unit towards the left, where

you see the zig-zag of the steps.

Beautifully maintained cemetery. Oil lamps

burning, photo of the deceased, flowers,

favourite objects .....
















The old square as mentioned before.






Another world inside these Greek Orthodox

Churches. This one is especially surreal with

its deep greens, blues and bronzes. I quickly

'took' this photo ....not supposed to.





My spot in emergency....yes, I had to be ad-

mitted for 2.5 days due to an infection and

put on intravenous. Each bed here and in

the ward has its own icon. I had better care

and food than in BC.

Typical beach area. Many, many kilometres

of beaches...and accomodation, all closed.



















Playing the harmonica at the Portara. This

is the only upright remaining part of a Temple

to Apollo...god of light, healing, prophecy...

and music. A memorable place to play

and sing.

Flowers at the Portara which were not there

the first visit when we arrived here.





A great view of the causeway leading out to

the Portara and the islet of Palatia. And who

is that man walking towards me...?

One of my favourite cafes...serving great

desserts and beverages.

















Lemons...and from them is made a liqueur.

Very big lemons and also irregular shapes.









A local fisherman