Hello Everyone!
I've been pretty much
going non-stop over here working on the Papanikolaou Family Reunion.
Today i met with one of the musicians and he auditioned for me. He owns a
small grocery store, and plays music at night. The guy is amazing.
Known as the finest bouzouki player in all of Halkidiki.
Good news for you... I
will NOT be playing the bouzouki. But I'm holding a 3,000 euro bouzouki!
You will be impressed
with the tremendous feast they have planned. They are pretty much turning
the school yard at the Gregory Papanikolaou (Pappas) school into Greek
restaurant. With an area for dancing. Trust me, with all the
ouzo... Everyone will be dancing.
They are trying to
produce an itinerary for your time in the village. This is a rough
itinerary below (I really don't want it too regimented... But remember
you're here for family time.... And you're related to two entire
villages. So everyone wants some time with "our American
cousins."
Wed - May 13th - Since
Dorris and others will be arriving at the Porto Valista Hotel in Paliouri late
(I'm guessing around 8;30 or later), we will be having dinner at Despina's
house around 10:00 p..m (which is normal dinner time for most Greeks).
All of you please feel free to take your time in Thessaloniki. My Dad
will be giving all of us a short tour along the waterfront, and we'll all have
lunch together at one of the waterfront cafes. The waterfront in
Thessaloniki is beautiful. Good news: Cousin Yannis is going to
meet us at the train station with his truck. He can strap down all our
luggage in the back. This will make the van ride much more
comfortable. He'll deliver it to the hotel. I can have them place
it in your room for you.
We will be dining
outside under the stars on Wednesday evening. Despina has a beautiful
home. I think we should all arrive together at Despina's house together
so they can all welcome us at the same time. Those arriving earlier can
relax at the hotel.
BRIING YOUR FAMILY
PHOTOS ON A FLASH CARD (USB). They are moving a TV outside so we can all
learn about each other. I'll attach my laptop, and we'll plug in the
flash card Remember, don't just bring posed family portraits. Bring
some photos showing what you like to do for fun, your house, your car,
basically your life!
Thursday - May 14th -
Morning - meet in Paliouri. My Dad will escort you around the
village. It's quite scenic in the square. Our group will draw lots
of attention. We will work our way up to the church (which has a
fantastic view over the area). There will be have a private service with
the priest. (He's retired... but he's coming out of retirement for this
special occasion). Our cousin Konstantina is going to try her best to
translate for us (he English is fantastic, it's just this priest talks a lot).
Thursday - early
afternoon - Go to Paraskevi and see Gregory's Schoolhouse and walk around the
village. We'll also visit Gregory's old house (It's also where my
grandfather was born and raised) also).
Notice: Once we
tour Gregory's school... You will not be allowed to see it again until you
arrive to the party. They want to surprise all of you. Also Greeks
like to fire guns at important events. There will be shotguns firing at
the party. (Not all the time... just at the start). Believe it or not they
fire guns even at Easter!
There is a small museum
in Paraskevi and the curator (Leonidas) would like all of you to tour
it. He's a retired school teacher and speaks English.
Thursday Evening - Have
fun visiting with your long, lost family. Since we're starting early,
hopefully this will not go on until 2:00 a.m.
We will be arriving at
Gregory's school around 7:00 p.m... With dinner beginning around 8:00
p.m.
Friday - May 15th -
Morning - Yannis is planning the Greek Hay Ride to take all of us together in
his large truck he uses for the bee hives. It will easily fit all of
us. You will probably be standing much of the time. We will get a
grand tour of the entire area, up through the hills. You will get to see olive
orchards with the same trees that were there when Gregory was a boy. (I
hope you enjoy this... I find it very special to sit under the same olive tree
that my father slept under as a boy). Hopefully you'll feel the same
way. It will almost connect you with Gregory. Olive trees live for
hundreds of years. My father will show you the family olive trees.
Here's a photo (though
late and not very good taken yesterday).
I hope you find this as
a special treat... Yiorgos (George) who is a very old sheep herder would like
you to come and visit him (and his flock). And your guessed it... He's
another cousin!
Here's Yiorgos and my
father... Very nice person.
Friday - afternoon
- Lunch at a cousins restaurant or cousins house. We will probably walk
down to the beach area below our hotel. Very nice.
Friday evening -
Farewell dinner held at Despina's house. BRING A BOX OF TISSUES... You'll
need it. Saying goodbye to these persons that have showed you such an
outpouring of love is very difficult. There will be lots of
crying. When the Greeks start crying it get's me crying.
Since we're having to leave so early on Saturday this will probably be the last
chance to see everyone....
At least on THIS trip...
I'm hoping all of you get bitten by the "Greek bug" and come back
with us other years.
Better run... Love to
all of you and see you soon in Athens!
Chris, Uncle Theo, and a
large band of crazy Greek cousins
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