Friends in the village

Lachania is such a crazy, cool environment. Not only is it beautiful, it has a population of eclectic nationalities, mixed into a Greek melting pot known as this little village.

I have known a few of them for years; I stayed in Petra's house on this visit as she is in Germany (I will be seeing her when i leave Salzburg!) her place is authentic and colorful.

John is a friend of Martine's who originally hails from Manchester. He speaks Greek with a funny British accent, has an earring and drives a Fiat Panda. On top of all this, we have similar taste in music, he is very funny and a genuinely awesome guy. During our discussions at Vangelis' birthday, I got talking about how YouTube can have playlists which you can have to save your favorite videos. This morning he came by Petra's (while I cleaned my teeth in my PJs) and took up my offer of showing him how this technology works. We went to Platanos to use their free wifi, John made me coffee and I set him up his account. I also learnt the Greek word for crazy : trelos. John's nickname :)

At Vangelis' dinner I also was introduce to Jerry & Uta, a couple who are from Belgium (?) and Germany respectively, who now live in Lachania. Jerry is very good on the guitar, and the two of them are very much in love. It is so sweet. Uta also knew some of the folk songs at Vangelis' dinner, and it was so nice to see someone not Greek to be singing along... I hope next time I visit to be a little more like Uta!

I got to meet Dino, from Belgium. She lives in the village too, and is really lovely. She speaks Greek as well, with an accent that makes it sound a lot softer that Greek really is :P I have promised to go and visit her for coffee the next time I visit Lachania.

I also got to know Hans the German. What an interesting guy, so laid back and so kind; he is also a real character! He has a front tooth missing, long grey hair tied in a ponytail, grey beard too, and black eyebrows. He is also very tall! His house is gorgeous too, so well made and charismatic. The courtyard has stones from the local beach, and he has a 20 year-old yakka tree which is easily 4 meters tall!!

I had the pleasure of having lunch with John and Hans at Platanos. We shared plates, in true Greek custom. We had everything from fava beans to patates, squid and pork dishes, chickpeas, and psomi (bread) to soak up the juices - of course! Once almost full-to-burating, we were then spoilt to get some loukoumathes - Greek doughnuts covered in meli (honey) and cinnamon. Om nom nom!!! As Hans aptly noted, there must be a special part of your stomach for sweet things, because you can always fit them in!

Saying goodbye to my village friends was a little sad as they are such nice, genuine and happy people. However, this is is part of the allure to return to Rhodes!