We had an incredible time in Paliouri and Paraskevi meeting our family and participating in so many great activities and events. The villas that Chris found for us were incredible. Porto Valitsa was the name and we filled the entire complex. Each villa was both lovely and unique, and the staff there were wonderful to us all. Leon and the other dogs made us miss our own furry family a little less.
The only downside was a very poor internet connection that came and went (mostly went) and made it impossible to blog. Some of us were able to post on Instagram here and there. To begin to summarize the events beginning on Wednesday, we left Athens early in the morning via train and arrived in Thessaloniki where Giannis and Lambrose met us with a empty pick-up truck to carry our luggage to the villas in Paliouri. We rented three large vans to transport ourselves. Greg (now known as Gregorius), Chris, and Dennis were our devoted drivers. Our first engagement was dinner at cousin Despina's home. We were overwhelmed with the loving display of hospitality. Long tables decorated beautifully greeted us upon arrival, and we were served cocktails, figs, and given corsages. The meal was incredible. We brought gifts for the children and beverages for the adults. Konstantina and Theo stayed busy interpreting for us. There was music, dancing and fellowship.
Thursday morning was a truly special day. Breakfast at the villas was wonderful. Then, we all went to Paliouri to the church for a special service where the priest blessed our family. This was even more special because this priest was present at the original dedication of the school Grandpa built in the village of Paraskevi. The service was very moving, and Nektaria made coffee and had cookies for us in the courtyard afterwards.
Next, we drove to Paraskevi to see the Gregory Pappas School. We only saw the outside in the morning, as the community wanted to save many things as a surprise for that night when the huge party took place. The school sits high on a hill overlooking the village and is still a very pretty building. The original playground equipment still sits in the school yard.
The only downside was a very poor internet connection that came and went (mostly went) and made it impossible to blog. Some of us were able to post on Instagram here and there. To begin to summarize the events beginning on Wednesday, we left Athens early in the morning via train and arrived in Thessaloniki where Giannis and Lambrose met us with a empty pick-up truck to carry our luggage to the villas in Paliouri. We rented three large vans to transport ourselves. Greg (now known as Gregorius), Chris, and Dennis were our devoted drivers. Our first engagement was dinner at cousin Despina's home. We were overwhelmed with the loving display of hospitality. Long tables decorated beautifully greeted us upon arrival, and we were served cocktails, figs, and given corsages. The meal was incredible. We brought gifts for the children and beverages for the adults. Konstantina and Theo stayed busy interpreting for us. There was music, dancing and fellowship.
Thursday morning was a truly special day. Breakfast at the villas was wonderful. Then, we all went to Paliouri to the church for a special service where the priest blessed our family. This was even more special because this priest was present at the original dedication of the school Grandpa built in the village of Paraskevi. The service was very moving, and Nektaria made coffee and had cookies for us in the courtyard afterwards.
Next, we drove to Paraskevi to see the Gregory Pappas School. We only saw the outside in the morning, as the community wanted to save many things as a surprise for that night when the huge party took place. The school sits high on a hill overlooking the village and is still a very pretty building. The original playground equipment still sits in the school yard.
Uncle Theo told me that he had offered to pay someone to paint the school for the celebration, but the community told him that they would be honored to paint it for the family of Gregory Pappas. We continued to be awed with the generosity of these lovely people. The building is no longer used as a school, because the population of Paraskevi has diminished, but is now utilized as a community center.
We walked through the village and went to Grandpa's boyhood home, which is now unoccupied. We got to go inside. It was very moving to see the humble abode of our grandfather and realize what it must have meant to send him to America at the age of 14 in search of a better life. A neighbor living next door saw us and cut roses from her garden to give to us. Again, the capacity to give and give was overwhelming.
Then, we walked to the town museum which they opened that day just for us. What a lovely museum tracing the history of the Greek people and honoring those from the village . We then found our Aunt Zafero's house and met her. She is 95 years old and babysat Uncle Theo when he was a young boy. She was named after our grandfather's mother, who was also Zafero. His grandmother's name was Helen, for whom he named my mother and she named me.
After all of this visiting, we returned to Porto Valitsa for lunch and afternoon activities. Some folks went to the beach. Some went shopping.
I will stop here for tonight, as it is late and there is so much more to tell....... I will try to continue to catch up tomorrow.
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