Life: Idiotropic

Wednesday night we attended a Greek name day for one of Kirk's friends.

In Greece most babies are named after catholic saints. Each saint has a day and that becomes the name day of all people who share that name. So, our friend Elias is named after the the biblical character, Elijah, and celebrates his name day on July 19th. Elias expained that in Greece, name days are celebrated with more fanfare than a birthday. Family and friends show up at your house, without invitation, on your name day with gifts and you invite them in to share a meal with you and celebrate. Since we aren't in Greece, Elias extended invitations to his friends here on his special night.

We arrived at the club just before 8. The tables were set elegantly and Greek music played in the background. Ouzo (Greek licorice liquor) sat in a bucket of ice with the rest of the drinks. The Greek ladies there were drinking it with club soda. The men drank it straight. I can't stand the stuff. Smells great - tastes like terpentine.

It was a nice group of people. Kirk knew a lot of them and introduced me to several of his friends. English is the common language here, so it was nice during dinner to be able to talk with the Greek and Portuguese men sitting by me. They talked about how to make the best Greek salad and where to travel in the region. Everyone was very friendly.

The food was served just after 8 and it was soooo good. I wanted to take some home, but didn't ask. Both red and white wine sat on the tables. Elias told everyone to eat as he would go last. They served eggplant mousaka, pastitsio, chicken with zucchini, a delicious rice dish with peppers and fish, new potatoes, vegetables, dolmas, and Greek salad. Everything was delicious. For dessert they served chocolate pudding, chocolate layer cake, and a white layer cake with strawberry cream. Elias wanted to serve baklava, but the club didn't know how to make it. Sad.

The kids played outside on the playground. We talked to our friends. It was a very relaxing evening that didn't end until after 10:30 when we left. Elise gave a nice speech telling us all that we were his family during his time in Germany and that we're all invited next year to celebrate his name day with him with dancing and a dinner that his wife will cook! (She's still in Athens now, so she couldn't attend).

So, July 19th is now on my calendar. If we're invited, I wouldn't miss it. Elias' wife makes amazing baklava, so I'm going to get her recipe.

Oh... and by the way, according to the man that sat next to me, the secret to the absolute best Greek salad is the oil. You have to taste the olive oil before you start and if it doesn't have a good flavor, don't use it. Then, you chop the onions and let them sit in the oil for an hour before you assemble the rest of the salad. That way, the onions flavor the oil even more.