STRINGING THE TOMATOES
by janetanne
As you walk through the village of PYRGI, AND if you are lucky enough to visit during the month of August, be sure to have a look out for the women of the village, sitting together stringing their treasures of wild red tomatoes.
I wanted to capture this scene, 'unseen.' To capture the natural atmosphere, which I believe I have. Now, however, I wish I had been my usual bold self, and gone closer to have an intimate chat with these women. I could have gotten a recipe or two, I'm sure, along with some 'closer' photos of this summer ritual of the village women of PYRGI.
It is then, that I post this one photograph as a tribute to the social customs of the society of Pyrgi on the island of Chios, where the women of this close-knit community, gather together to create their strings of 'red necklaces,' and to share their daily news. It is a tribute to the fast disappearing ways of the villages, too rapidly being displaced by the hypnotic new technologies; communication via mobile phone and e-mail. Here in Pyrgi, woman still sit next to one and other, talking and working in REAL TIME, in a real 'forum.' How much longer with this ritual last?
I'm sure that they would be amazed with our tips on VT, as they haven't time yet, for computers, as they string their tomatoes for future pots of warm red sauces...
If only I had sat with them!
Discovering mastic
by duke0123
Chios is famous because of its mastic trees. In the south of the island you can see them.
Since the Middle Ages, mastic is won. Twenty villages in the south of Chios thank their names to this resin. These villages have been founded in the 14th and 15th century by the Genoese to protect them agains the assaults of pirates.
Mastic is used for the production of chewing gum, liqueur and toothpaste. Every summer, about 300 tons of resin is won.
Saint 'Milk' - Agia Gala's Hidden Cave Church
by janetanne
One of my favourite Greek icons is called 'Agia Ipomoni,' or in English, 'Saint Patience.' My visit in Agia Gala, 'Saint Milk,' is a tribute to Agia Ipomoni!
Before I left for my road trip to Agia Gala, I had stopped in the village of Vollisos to buy water. While in the little supermarket and during a short conversation with the owner, another shopper overheard me and recognized my 'American Greek accent!' To make a long story shorter, she also was from America and lived in the village with her mother. She told me to be sure to 'find the key to the church in Agia Gala,' and 'not to leave without seeing the church no matter what else I did.' So, with these orders, I left Vollisos, on my way to the village of Agia Gala. The time from Vollisos to Agia Gala is less than one hour, but the road is narrow and very curvey, with steep abrupt drop-offs at the edge of the pavement.
As I drove into the area of the village, I noticed a stone church, clutching to the side of a slope of the hill to my left. It was surrounded by beautiful, green, lush trees; Plane trees, Oak trees, both of which were signs of the flowing water at their roots. Sure enough, a small creek of cold mountain water, snaked below in the valley, across which, a stone bridge linked the far side to the stone path that led to the church above. Was this the famous church not to be missed?
The Postman Cometh
by janetanne
Here in this remote mountain village, the woman, none of whom have ever driven a car, wait for their monthly pension money to arrive, via the Postman. He then takes some of that money back, as each of them pays him for their electricity bills and water bills. The government giveth, and the government taketh! Each of these women probably get not much more than 300Euros a month, from which they must live. An average monthly light bill for them, is probably at least 100Euros and the water bill another 70-80Euros. That doesn't leave them much to buy the food and daily essential things that could make their life a bit more easier.
This is the reason, we don't see these women dressed in new dresses, or carrying fancy name-brand purses or wearing impractical shoes! Yet, they manage. It was heartwarming to hear that their most wanted thing was...'Money to fix the church that had been damaged in recent Earthquakes.' No matter they ate beans, but how shamefull that the country was allowing their national monuments and Orthodox heritages to crumble...
I can only agree!
Monastery of Nea Moni
by janetanne
The monastery of Nea Moni is the most famous church in Chios. The mosaic designs on the walls are of international fame. I was very lucky the day I visited to have met the man who was painting the interior of the church during its renovation. The work in the church will not be finished until December, 2007, so you may not be able to go into the church if you visit before then...unless you find my friend, Mr. Tsairis busy painting the walls!
If you do find Mr. Tsairis painting, ask him to show you the one small tile that is the only original tile that exists and from which all the walls are being painted by looking at the design on this tile! Amazing! Originally, the church walls were original marble, but these marble tiles were destroyed in an earthquake. After, the walls were painted to look like the original marble, but this was also destroyed by a fire. Now, the modern restoration will soon be complete and another visit must be had to see the finished work. Next year!
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Maria Lights the Way with a Candle
The 'Key' to the church!
Queen of Pyrgi's Sun-Dried Tomates
Tiger, tiger, burning bright.
