Idyllic island Yes Perfect No

This island was spotted with mom and pop stores which sold fresh eggs, goat cheese, local produce 

Fresh milk, bakery breads. Then along came this supermarket, you could get eggs anytime of day you wanted, you didn't have to wait like at the mom and pop stores for the the chicken to lay them and the farmer to deliver them. No need to go to the local butcher anymore they have neatly packaged  of any kind of meat you want, they have packaged bread  that can last a week  I don't have to wait for the  baker "How convenient" 

        

                       Look no need to bake tonight they have have pre made cookies!

         

             The kids don't want to wait for Yiia Yia to bake for them,when they can have candy right now

                                       "conveniently"placed next to the cash register.

         

         

             Look at these nicely packaged sugar laden drinks my child wants one of these 

                                               To wash down their  candy.

         

                               Look what this product can do It will give me more energy"  

                       

                                  I can buy my vegatables frozen, no need to grow my own.

                                          

                                               

                                                   Mom and pop stores disappearing

            

 

Unfortunately  the outside world has arrived here on Ikaria some of the mom and pop stores have  already closed unable to compete with this "convenient store" and their prices. ( right now there is only one ) Many of the younger people are adapting to the outside way of eating and it is noticeable in their girth  and health. They ride instead of walking, they prefer the sweets on the shelves instead of what nature offers growing off of almost every tree here on Ikaria or what Yia Yia bakes in the oven.The  shop owners are forced to carry these products or go under, supply and demand, the younger people want it, the vacationers demand it! When Paschale bought tomato seeds for his garden my husband asked Paschale, why don't you save your tomato seeds he answered I don't have time. I understand  this answer because we have  all been there? 

                                 

The  elders seem to adhere to the old ways, but I fear that when their generations dies they will take their traditions of cooking, growing and raising their own food,their strong work ethics and the secrets of this amazing Island with them.

I want to stand on the top of the highest mountain here and yell "convenient yes healthy no" don't let this happen you have it right here. Eat what you grow, eat what's in season, pick wild greens from the mountains instead of the frozen vegatables , take the "time" to collect your  seeds and herbs, gather the mountain tea instead of  buying products off of  a shelf  If you want something sweet let nature provide it in the form of  honey or fruit.  Follow your elders for they are wiser and healthier in their ways.

        

                                                            

             

                                            

          

     

The other worrisome thing we observed, was almost everybody here smokes. Yes even  the 100 something year olds have smoked most of their lives. The only way I can explain this away, is the Ikarians roll their own tobacco, at one time they grew it right here on Ikaria or in other parts of Greece, so it's not the highly treated chemically laden cigarettes that are found in the USA.

   

         

                             My Mom and Dad use to say all good things take time and effort.

           

                                                    

                          Taking the time now may just be the secret to living longer and healthier lives 

   

           

 

Faces of Ikaria

Yia Yia Village of Therma: Thermal baths

                                       

                  

                           

Sweet memory of how my Grandfather walked

     

  

Father Mihale

          

Father Mihale is a retired 90 year old priest, arrived on his motorcycle,(no helmet) for a visit, glass red wine, to share his colorful, fascinating, stories. 

He had just finished working in the vineyards all day,  told 

us, not because he has to, but because he enjoys his work in sun. 

He is full of life and laughter, joy.  When it was time for him to take his leave, he shook our hands, with bone crushing handshake, goodbye, great big smile.

                         

        

We asked if we could take his picture, his answer was take a 100 if you like. We see this Ikarian man walking everyday, carrying his Bucket on a stick," it looks  to me like he has the local red wine" inside the bucket. It is said an Ikarian will climb at least 20 hills  a day. 

Paschale poses with traditional goat backpack

                                 

Third generation Ikarian proudly demonstrates  bee 🐝 keepers
Tools of trade

                       

      

Eleni milking her goat. Goat cheese, goat milk, goat yogurt a staple of the Island and my favorite of all goat ice cream made with mastica.

                                           

We asked this lady  if we could take her photo, we then offered  her a coffee, she says I have no time I have to feed my goats!

Stopped long enough to pose for a photo
Then she was gone

                                   

            

                                                      

This Yia Yia has come to join in the Wedding festivities she is patiently waiting for so she can sample the hosts cooking, traditional dish of Goat.

Kyri Maria is Caretaker at Monastery Theoktis, she is there everyday making famous Loukamades. Finishes with

pouring local honey and cinnamon over the top. We indulge once a week, to drink a Greek coffee with kyri  Maria, eat warm  loukamades, enjoy majestic scenery.

She also collects and drys medicinal herbs and makes healing Tinctures, money is donated to the  upkeep of the church and the grounds.

  Captain Giorgo is proud of his Greek water taxi ferrying people back and forth to trapolo.

90 Something Ikarian Outdanced
lasted longer than anyone  

                                                 

            

Local grocer displaying his production  of grapes

                

We met this Ikarote with his donkey named Arapina in the morning, shared his red grapes he had just picked from the vineyards, we shared our cookies from the bakery.

                                                     '     Isidoros and  Arapina

We ate many of the fruits and vegatables from Paschale vineyards and gardens in this case it was fried Zucchini flowers.

Sharing American favorite Watermelon
Fruit basket for celebration tonight

               

Dmitri car rental guy Evdilos 
Real character

                              

     

One of our favorite places to enjoy a cappuccino, eat rizogalo with the owner Vagelio. A favorite  Ikarian always laughing, smiling, welcoming.

    

  

We shared so many special moments, recipes,adventures unforgettable  memories with our Host and Hostess of Balconi Studios Marianna and Paschale.

 

 As I  write this blog, It reminds me one of many reasons I love this island so much!

"It's the people" generous in spirit, generous with their time, always taking the time to stop and talk, to offer whatever they may have at the moment, grapes, tomatoes, a glass of red wine, cup of coffee, tea, whatever they have available at the moment they will share with you. 

A common occurrence here, coming across two cars stopped in the middle of the road having a conversation or seeing villagers dancing in the street. Simply sit wait or get out of you car join in the dance or the conversation, after song  conversation is complete, get back in your car and you drive away. 

Their pace is never hurried. There are no gyms here on Ikaria, elders are sturdy and strong with stocky builds,  climbing hills all day, tending their goats, working in the gardens or vineyards or dancing the night away. I am convinced that because of their unhurried  purposeful lifestyle is another reason they live long, well.

Stop smell flowers

Sad Farewell to our friend Kaliope

Sweet Kaliope ❤ Heart of Trapalo  
R.I.P. 2021

Kaliope was Cook/Owner of Taverna along
with her daughter Christina. We have been told 
she use to Cook for King of Greece,
in her earlier years.

She continued cooking well into her 90's, preparing 
Traditional, delicious food's 😋  for locals,
adventurous, who would travel over mountains 
on bumpy, dusty roads, to arrive at her Taverna,
located in Village of Trapalo.

One of most charming beachside Tavernas,
Amazing crystal clear turquoise waters.

Instead we choose Agean sea route, aboard 
Captain Mihale boat. Departs from charming 
Port of Maganitis to Trapolo, 45 minute
excursion, past majestic, graphic shoreline.

All aboard
Captain  Mihale boat

                                                     

Graphic Rock Formations 

                         

 Island from Sea

          

Ever changing colors of Aegean 

          

Nestled base of mountains
 Village of Trapalo

          

Giorgos Greek Taxi

We are greeted by, Christina's husband, Georgie,
in his little Greek vessel. He happily ferries passenger's, 
Back/ forth, for those who choose not to
Jump off Captain Mihale boat, too swim ashore.

Teddy and I, along with many others, grab their
Snorkel gear, line up holding onto guard rail,
awaiting go ahead from Captain, that he is fully anchored,
engine is cut. We are given ok to jump into turquoise 
waters of Trapalo.
 My heart is racing with excitement, I am nearing 70,
having same feelings I had when I was 10 years old, 
jumping off bridge for first time, a combination of
fear, exhilaration as I let go plunge into water.

         

Giorgos at Stern ferrying  passengers 

We swim ashore, spend afternoon snorkeling, exploring beach.
While snorkeling, Marianna excitedly surfaces, shouts, Octupus, 
Its captured, brought to Kaliope to prepare Fresh calamari dish.
   
We are ravenous after an afternoon of Sun/fun.
We make our way up steep,
Rocky stairs to Kaliope Taverna.

         

           

My husband waiting for Kaliope 
Traditional Greek dishes served family style

                                               

Kaliope has cooked freshly caught octupus, local goat, vegetables
from her garden, Greek salad, french fries, Giorgos wine 🍷 😋
Top it off with 🎶 Greek music & dancing. 

Our faces are aglow from sun, wine, belly's full, our souls
rejuvenated. We descend steep stairs to find a shady tree
To take a nap
 
"Life doesn't  get better than this."

At 9pm its time to pack up our swimsuit, beach towels,
return to Captain  Mihale boat to head back to Manganites. 
Little did we know this will be  last time we would lay eyes on Kaliope.
She stood on shore waving her kitchen towel goodbye,
Captain Mihale Blasting his horn in return, as he traditionally did to bid "Farewell"
None of us realizing it would be a final goodbye.

In Memory of our Sweet Kaliope
Fly high & Free

 

Fried Louloudi

      

Start with a freshly picked Louloudi   "Zucchini "

Prepare by cutting off the stem with only the flower remaining

Flowers will look wilted 

You  need only 3 ingredients

Flour

Beer

Salt

Of course a good cook

Dip the flower in beer

Dredge through flour

Heat good quality olive oil till hot

Fry flower turning as needed  till crunchy

Fry till crunchy

Drain

Sprinkle salt over the top

Who needs French fries

Final product

What I noticed on this Island, there is very little waste, the Ikarians or  Ikariotes as they call  themselves, take whatever the land has to offer and they make it into something  unbelievable tasty, I have learned to fall in love with vegatables, something I always struggled with to eat.

Kali orexi