Sometimes I don’t know how I got to be so lucky! Tomorrow I return from a two week trip to Greece. The first half was devoted to Gloria’s family from Kalamata. Their son, Theodoros Kouretas, married a lovely young woman named Katia on Saturday, October 15. Gloria and I were joined by her nephew Tim who lives in Colorado and had never met any of his family. He’s delighted to have met his five new third cousins, and even picked up a bit of Greek as well! The longer he stayed, the more Greek he became.
Glo and I arrived on Wednesday before the wedding and Theodoros collected us at the airport. We went first to our hotel, then to his apartment where we got to see his mother, who had prepared a delicious lunch, and meet the bride, who is a beautiful young woman, and runs her own pharmacy. Theo works with container shipping in Athens. They are happily, not among the 40% of young people in Greece who can’t find work. They both have advanced degrees and great work ethic! What a super young couple. In the evening Theo took us to the Plaka, the market area just below the Acropolis…
.a bit of walk around Acropolis, a glass of wine, and bed felt great!
On Thursday we took the day to first get Tim to the hotel (thanks, Theo!), then the three of us took a cab to the Plaka area, walked, enjoyed, had a lovely lunch with wine again. Nice touristic day.
Thursday night: a fantastic Greek tradition. Family and friends gather at the new home of the couple (in the north of Athens, gorgeous home with a fantastic view!)
to bless the house, make the marriage bed,
throw a young boy onto the bed to signify the desire for many sons, and eat and drink until wee hours! At this party we were joined by Giorgi, Theo’s father, and his sister Christina, as well as Ioanna’s sister Iphagenia and more family. 
Great to see them all! We were pretty tired, but didn’t want to miss anything, so stayed nearly til the end.
I believe we spent Friday recuperating and preparing for Saturday. I believe this was the day Christina took us to the Flisvos Marina for coffee….it’s a lovely newly developed marina and shopping area south of Pireaus, the Athens port. Very nice. Perhaps this was the Plaka day instead….yes, actually we returned to the Acropolis to see the new museum there…a few years old, and stunning. They’ve done such a good job, and have even reserved the top floor for the day the Brits return the stolen pieces of Acropolis. Might be a long wait….good museum though.
Friday night, a super family and friend of groom dinner.
A taverna where food just kept coming, and coming. Wonderful foods! Salads of two kinds, bread, pork, potatoes, etc, etc. We were stuffed and happy to get to bed, again.
Saturday we just tried to stay out of the way….until 4 pm at which time the festivities began. Groom’s family and friends gathered at his apartment to prepare him. His young men friends shaved and dressed him, amid drinking and joy. 
Theodoros wasn't the only one getting primped and prepared: As you can see, Ioanna managed to tame Giorgi as well. Lovely parents of the groom! 
Then we tied ribbons on our cars, and honking all the way, made a caravan to the church, some half hour north, in the bride’s parents’ area. Gorgeous church, beautiful bride, lovely service. Back in the cars for another ride to a clubhouse venue that was marvelous….did I mention this was a wedding with 350 guests? And we were treated royally by the wonderful family.
So, about 9:30 we ate an amazing buffet, with most of the meats coming from Giorgi’s farm; possibly 8 or 9 lambs! At dinner and dance we sat with Iphanagenia’s children and nephew and other friends, most of whom have wonderful English. Good thing for me, and Tim as well. Delightful company, followed by….over 6 hours of dancing! The happy couple led the first dance, followed by the rest of us.
Mostly Greek dances, traditional. Towards the end, some modern popular Greek music for young people to dance. Check out the cousins; old folks dancing while the bride glows!
I was so impressed by Katia; she and Theo were on their feet the entire time, both greeting each guest, dancing with all, then saying goodbye to each. At 6 am we finished the party! All three of us were totally worn down, but totally satisfied, and so happy to have lasted to the end to congratulate the couple and send them off with our blessing.
Sunday! We slept until 2 pm, somewhat missing breakfast (actually, we could have had breakfast when we got in from the wedding. We three walked back to Flisvos Marina, had a light lunch and walk,
then Glo and I took naps on the hotel’s poolside rooftop. While we napped, Tim went to the airport to collect his friend Diana, who arrived a bit under the weather, so her beginning of trip was dampened a bit. And fairly soon, she was introduced to Christina, Ioanna her mother, and the Costarakis cousins! Gloria had never met cousin Giorgi Costarakis before; he also brought his wife Maria and sons Athonasios, Panaiotis and Vasiliis. Great folks all, and again, we were treated to an amazing dinner together. So blessed to find and develop relationships with this fantastic family.
Monday I moved on the Crete to visit friends Bev and Lee….Tim and Diana joined a day later, as Gloria went back to Springfield. But, Crete is another story!
