Greece 2003Greece Tour Diary.
First though I wanted to tell you just a little about my Greek adventures such as they were. I wasn't there all that long this time (Feb.1-8) but I did manage to see some more of the country and also I very much enjoyed meeting old friends again and of course playing 2 shows. My good friends Vassili and Kyriakos who live in Thessaloniki (Salonika) once again organized my return up there (and Athens!) and to the same venue I played in before. I think they told me that 90 people paid and there were 60 guest listed! Friendly sort of place isn't it! Still it was a great evening. My good friend Stefan Schwerdenfurger from the band Big Sleep came up on stage with me and we sang a few TLH songs together. Also a great opener in Ntinos Sadikis. Kind of rock and roll done with an acoustic band made up of bassoon, percussion, 3 electric guitars and something else but just can't remember. It was a lot of fun though.
Thessaloniki is a city of about 1.2 million and there is something like 300,000 university students there. Not as many tourists as Athens either so much more easy to get around in and the tourist vultures like those in Athens are absent here. Very nice and friendly ancient city right on the sea. I enjoy it and its people very much indeed. I had a couple of days off before having to get down to Athens and I'd been hearing stories about the southeastern part of Greece - an area called Chalkidiki.
It's largely undeveloped in the interior (mountains and forests) and on the coast a main vacation spot for Salonika's inhabitants. There are 3 peninsulas of which the eastern most (Mount Athos) is a Holy place inhabited by monks settled in 20 monasteries. No females allowed (domestic animals included!). You can only visit there by permit which you obtain from the monks (Christian Orthodox Church) in Ouranoupolis. This little fishing village is the last stop on the road before the peninsula of Mount Athos. It is here that you catch the daily ferry for the peninsula which is the only form of transport between Mount Athos and the rest of the world. I've decided I wanted to visit this place and so I caught the bus in Salonika and 5 hours later I was in the little fishing village of Ouranoupolis. As it turned out the weather was extremely cold and as I only had two days off I figured that I would postpone my visit to Mt.Athos for a warmer season and when I had more time.
The monks spend their days in prayer, work and rest (8 hours for each). They live simple lives in large monasteries of which there are 20 and some of which date back to the 10th century. Visitors are given shelter and food and the hospitality of the church is free for those who wish to partake. There are no women allowed here because the monks worship only one women and all others are considered distractions. This is NOT a vacation spot for those looking to camp, swim or the like. It is a place for contemplation of God and his works. Some monks live in caves and never come out their whole lives. Quite fascinating really. You must walk (there are no cars or public transportation!) when your there and so another reason to return when I have more time. I will return though and go for a week or something. Sounds very interesting and it is very beautiful. The monasteries themselves are full of icons, religious paintings and the buildings themselves are sometimes 1000 years old! I'm glad there is a place like this in the world!
So it was only 2 days off and then it was back south to the "real" world. There is hardly anywhere in the world more real and intrusive than Athens. It's a huge, bustling metropolis and especially now as they are preparing themselves to host the Olympic Games the summer of 2004. I had a show Thursday Feb. 2 in little theater that's quite new in Athens called the "Mykros Musica Theatro" (Little Music Theater). Show was opened by Greek songwriter Manolis Aggelakis. A small crowd but appreciative and in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Perfect for someone like me! I had not booked a France return flight until Saturday which was fortunate because Big Sleep just happened to be playing Friday night at the AN Club and I finally got the chance to listen to a fine rock and roll band. Fronted by my friend Stefan, the band (lead guitar, bass and drums plus Stefan on electric lead) play a kinda power pop, "wavish", industrial strength, word oriented music. Full house that night and hot and sweaty fun had by all. A fitting end to another musical adventure for TLH!
