Greek Hospitality

My beloved Greece is so rich in nature’s diversity, where the sun embraces you with its warmth and the sea caresses your senses that it is impossible for the people and objects not to develop into their finest qualities. Greece is synonymous to generosity. Hospitality runs in our blood, it is an integral part of our culture and we would do anything to prove this to a visitor.

When you visit a Greek house you are welcome with two resounding kisses on either cheek and a tight hug and this is quickly followed (even before you have sank into the sofa) with a platter of mouthwatering appetizers by the landlady. An impromptu mini-fiesta is set up in less than a minute where a bit of every appetizer existing at home would be offered along with coffee or Ouzo or Tsipuro (traditional white spirits). It is impossible to deny partaking the offering as the landlord would gently coax and cajole your taste buds till the plates and glasses are empty. If you are calorie conscious then please leave your mind outside a Greek home. These foods are all homemade, super delicious and impossible to resist.

Not only a Greek home but Mother Nature too offers free appetizers in Greece. Crops and fresh fruits, herbs and vegetables can be found almost in every corner of a Greek village. And the best part is that you can pick them up for free!

Once, I went hiking to Lefkimi’s forest with a friend, to pick up wild mushrooms and berries. Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park is one of the few European regions cohabitated by so many species of birds of prey; three of the four European species of vulture and the Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps Fulvus) and the extremely rare Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus), which is one of the last two colonies left in Europe.

Picking berries is my specialty, but I don’t have a clue about mushrooms so one day if my blog suddenly stops, then you should know that I went wild mushroom hunting. Seriously, wild mushrooms can be very dangerous even fatal. So, always be careful and never eat them unless you are 100% sure they are edible.

Smurf's house?  Why not!

Back to our story; we started early that morning, entered the forest and followed the trail. The green leaves sparkled with morning dew pearls while sun tried to invade the jungle with its ray. As we went deeper and deeper we discovered numerous berries and I couldn't stop picking them and gorging as if there was no tomorrow. Wild berries are full of antioxidants and I love the sour taste. Soon I realized that bears too were crazy about berries as we found plenty of bear pug marks and poo with berry remnants.  

I was thrilled by the sheer volume of berries we found free. In Greek markets, berries are expensive. That day I could have made good money just by selling all the berries I had collected. I am amazed there are so many bounties of nature that we can have for free but people simply don’t bother to go outdoors. We should leave our couches and venture along with our beloved ones and have a walk outdoors, while taking advantage of all the fruits and crops we would find on our way. Not only we would have great time, while in nature but also we could save some money, by collecting our own goodies. No harm in getting back to our ‘gatherer’ days every now and then!

Picking  berries

Though I was wary of picking any mushrooms their sheer volume and variety kept us riveted as we ventured deeper and deeper into the forest. The colors and sizes turned the forest into a fairy land; red, purple, dark brown, blue, pink, yellow, ochre and in sizes ranging from smaller than my thumb to few nearly the size of my head.

Couple of hours later with our bellies bulging with berries we went downhill from the forest and decided to explore the tiny village where we had parked our car. Through the narrow deserted streets we chanced upon a quaint coffee shop beneath a picturesque birch tree. Stepping inside we found three old cronies, ancient as the monuments playing card. Every pair of eyes turned towards us. I am sure no outsiders ever visited this village and we stood out like sore thumbs. 

Eyeing a cozy corner we settled down and ordered two cups of Greek coffee while enjoying all the undue attention we drew from the locals. The café owner was straight out of the comic books; his bulging belly could any day outdo Obelix and his handlebar moustache bespoke his proud Balkan blood. The eyes were round and shiny like an owl that rotated simultaneously in opposite directions and we were never sure which direction he looked. He wore his trousers way below his navel, perhaps stuck with glue to his hips while the sleeveless shirt stuck to his body like armor, the middle buttons almost breaking nevertheless. Along with our coffee he brought a plate full of homemade coconut biscuits on the house. Even though we were visiting his café for the first time and probably would never return he felt obliged to treat us as house guest and not merely paying customers. For him the café is not a business but an extension of his home and family and he wanted us to feel at home. Though my friend was impressed with this generosity, I explained that this was typical Greek attitude that was still retained and practiced in faraway places like this tiny obscure village. I wish Greek’s wouldn't lose it as time passes by.

After coffee and some small talks with the habitue we left to continue our walk through the village. The village was unusually quiet and peaceful. Few passerbies watched us curiously but discreetly, trying to decipher who we were and what could be our purpose.

In peaking almonds hard work is done by the man!

As we ambled along we soon realized that the road was lined with full bloomed almond and walnut trees on either side. My friend and I glanced at each other with that conspiratorial look and we lunged at the nearest tree. In less than a minute I found myself onto an almond’s bole, stretching myself up to my toes (I am a tall girl) till I could reach even the remotest nuts at the top of the tree. My back pack was soon full of almond and walnut shells. Fruits and nuts taste best when we sit beneath the same tree from which we plucked and eat. That’s exactly what we did. Nothing better than smashing almonds under the shadow of the tree, protected from the hot sunbeams. And not only did we end up with a bag full of nuts, we were also offered fruits and vegetables from village gardens. I remember in particular one old woman dressed in black with black head kerchief (Greek elderly women used to get dressed in black after their 70s) offering us grapes and fruits from her kitchen garden insisting we take as much as we could. She was a simple village woman with a generous heart who wanted to treat two strangers like her family. We ended up with lots of grapes and quinces, apart from the almonds.


 I love this kind of behavior and wish people were more generous and were willing to share rather than hoard more than they need. Only by sharing and caring for each other can our society grow and enrich as a whole. These villagers made us feel more than welcome to their village and I realized that even with simple things, you can create a welcome atmosphere and make people feel accepted.

Moreover, people who give and share material things, are usually people who give love and express emotions without holding back anything. So people surrounded by them are usually very lucky since they receive lots of love and lots of great food and fortunately I am one of such lucky ones!

Take care my friends and always remember, good things are meant to be shared!