tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1602435197798436022024-03-14T08:31:49.731+00:00Typical Greek LifeA day in the life of a Typical Greek... learn and laugh along with all the things that make Greeks, so Greek!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-77889843490501988052013-08-12T09:18:00.000+01:002013-08-12T09:18:56.908+01:00Percy Jackson - A little bit of Greek!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So, "Percy Jackson - Sea of Monsters" came out in the cinema recently (depending on where you live...!) and I thought I'd give it a mention for all you movie lovers out there, purely because of the Greek heritage. (Yes, I am that easily swayed; anything Greek and I'm all over it!)<br />
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For those of you who don't know, the Percy Jackson series are about Demigods who are the children of the Greek Gods. So if you like Greek mythology, seeing the Greek key symbol all over everything, laughing at the 3eni pronouncing Greek words and hearing people buying things in Drachmas (ah, the good old days...) then check out the movie!<br />
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Anyone else seen any good movies with some Greek heritage recently or know of any coming out? Let us all know!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-74524573036595177832013-05-19T14:32:00.002+01:002013-05-19T14:34:24.127+01:00Greek-o-vision 2013!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's that time of year again, the Greek-o-vision song contest, as I like to call it! This year we only had Greece and not Cyprus qualify for the final, but ofou they did really well coming in at 6th place overall! At one point Greece were top trending on Twitter worldwide! </div>
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In case you missed it or you want to relive the experience, you can watch the performance here:</div>
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Ahh, so the Greek dudes were kicking it in their converse shoes, while playing the traditional bouzouki and singing in Greek for a change! (I think someone must have read last year's post I wrote <a href="http://typicalgreeklife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/greek-o-vision-2012.html" target="_blank">here</a> where I made that very suggestion...)<br />
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And of course we can't overlook the wonderful catchy lyrics of "Alcohol is free"... yes, well in this current climate free alcohol is the most appealing, enen!<br />
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Overall, a cracking performance and a really good result! I don't know why they just didn't let us win it though, even if the country is skint the Greeks will always we able to scrounge the money together for a party and to host the Eurovision! Maybe next year, who knows!<br />
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P.S. the moustache wipe at the end was awesome.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-34875579318489310932013-05-05T18:27:00.000+01:002013-05-05T18:27:27.824+01:00Greek Easter 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Xristos Anesti to the Greeks! Christ is risen!<br />
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So last night was Church night again for midnight mass. That meant more standing around with candles and waiting until midnight to commemorate the time when Christ rose from the dead.<br />
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This is where the candle is meant to be taken from the church and to your home without it being extinguished. The flame from the Church on this day is holy and is thought to be a great blessing if taken into your home. So all the peeps coming home drunk from the bars last night were not hallucinating if they saw cars glowing as they drove past... Nor was that drive thru cashier imagining things as the glowing car approached their window. It is highly likely that you may end up with candle wax on your car seats though, so beware!<br />
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Seeing as it is after midnight, technically the fast can be broken so generally there is a mini feast ready for when you get back from Church, some nice augolemoni always goes down well! Those lovely eggs we dyed a few days ago can also get smashing too!<br />
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And then there is Sunday where the mass "Xristos Anesti / Alithos Anesti" texts get sent to all your Greek contacts on your phone and then you prepare for the biggest feast of the year! Of course, this tends to consist of meat, meat and even more meat. You may need a nap from the meat coma...<br />
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I hope all those celebrating Easter today have an amazing day and take the opportunity for a fresh start, like Jesus did :)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-89413643048266221322013-05-03T18:05:00.000+01:002013-05-05T18:27:50.602+01:00Greek Easter - Good Friday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So it's Holy Week and the countdown to the biggest religious event for Greeks begins! On Thursday night is when eggs are dyed.<br />
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Usually they are dyed red to symbolise Jesus' blood, but other colours are also used these days. Every Greek home will have their special little basket with coloured eggs in and these will remain untouched until Sunday morning!<br />
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Tonight will be the Epitafio where we go to church late at night and walk with Jesus' 'tomb' around the local area, mourning his death. Of course it is a serious occasion for Greeks, but Church night definitely has its comical moments, and seeing as 'Typical Greek' covers the entertaining aspects of the Greek culture, forgive me for wanting to share that side of it! Stay tuned on twitter to be kept up to date with 'Epitafio Problems'! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(No offense intended).</span><br />
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Come back for more on Easter celebrations this weekend!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-48969740969880657182013-04-29T19:05:00.003+01:002013-05-05T18:28:05.506+01:00Holy Week 2013!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So it's Holy Week... the *real* one, not the premature Easter that the 3eni had a month ago...<br />
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Be prepared for some grumpy Greeks this week. For some, they would have been fasting for weeks already but that takes a lot of dedication and self control and is usually undertaken by the hardcore yeri (old peeps). The 3eni usually just give up "something" for lent, like chocolate... but Greeks need to sacrifice something really important to them - meat!<br />
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For those Greeks who are just starting their fast for Holy Week or coming in for the home stretch, they will most likely be going vegan. Although we do it for noble reasons, it does bring with it a heavy heart of dread of our 'meat free week'... I guess that's the point though isn't it! Also makes the feast all the more sweet!<br />
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When a Greek doesn't get their meat, stay out of their way! What vegan meals are you preparing for Holy Week?<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-65235953319601172372013-01-20T17:09:00.001+00:002013-04-29T19:06:40.132+01:00Greek Dances - What do they mean?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have addressed Greek dancing in posts previously, and you may recall that I mentioned that there were meanings behind our dances and that I would delve into them one day. Well, hold on to your vrakes guys, as that day has finally come!</span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So Greek dancing is all about expressing emotions and telling stories. Traditional Greek dancing had plenty of stories: some were to ensure fertility, preparing for war, celebrating victories, overcoming depression and even curing illnesses. They are usually named after villages or places where they originated from.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what dance means what? I'll address a couple in this post and may explore some other dances in the future!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The 'Zebekiko'</b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a solo dance usually performed by men (eh but you get the odd 'modern' woman sneaking in these days too!). The songs that you dance the 'Zebekiko' to </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(can also be called the 'vareto') </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">re always very passionate and often reflect struggles and broken hearts. Hence, why it is also known as the 'drunken' dance... It's usually performed very late into the evening (once the booze has taken full effect, you know how it is...). The moves are generally actually very sporadic and drunken looking and although there are some signature moves, it is generally freestyle; just moving to your emotions. It is always danced with an audience knelt down in a circle clapping you on and appreciating your deep felt expressive emotions (unless you're in a fancy dress apparently...) Watch an example below!</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The 'Kalamatiano'</b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is performed by both men and women in a circle, and is considered a celebratory dance! There is an even number of people as they are coupled up; men and women dance in pairs as well as in a circle. The person at the front has a mantili (hankie) and waves it around as they lead the group. Depending on the occasion being danced to, you can imagine lots of stories when they dance! If you're at a wedding and there are young people performing the dance, you could imagine that the couples are courting and getting to know one other before they have their own matrimonial ceremonies one day. Also, please pause to appreciate the costumes... bless their little outfits; gotta love the fluffy balls on the shoes!?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that's the traditional Greek dancing. You know, very sweet, innocent, conservative; traditional! Having said that, current Greek dancing has changed somewhat... As clothing has become more racy, so has the dancing..! If you're out in the bouzoukia, you will witness something very different to the traditional dances, but still interestingly distinguishable as Greek. Check this video below of the 'Tsifteteli' to see what I mean...</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ci2iYFswwX0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So... you will probably have noticed the much shorter skirts, and the more sensuous hip wiggling and body writhing amongst the modern Greeks! A big difference to the traditional dances seen above, enen! These days, children learn to dance this way very early and it is not uncommon to see young kids at the bouzoukia dancing until 4am!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So come rain or shine, depression or glory, pain or pleasure... Greeks express how they are feeling by dancing! Next time you are out watching Greek dancing (be it traditional or modern) really take the time to think about what the performers are feeling and appreciate it. Don't forget to toss some cash at them too to show your respect! (Er.. and no, this has nothing to do with the 'cabaret', that's a whole other story.....!)</span></span></span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-13279567279431965592013-01-11T19:09:00.000+00:002013-01-11T20:08:11.232+00:00How Greek Am I - Quiz!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever wondered how much of a typical Greek you are? Well wonder no more as I have created a quiz for you to find out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Take the test below and write your results in the comments!</span><br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="260" scrolling="no" seamless="seamless" src="http://files.quizsnack.com/iframe/embed.html?hash=qdtmehhr&width=350&height=260&wmode=transparent&t=1357909418&width=350&height=260" width="350"></iframe></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-22267829365942707102013-01-01T21:34:00.000+00:002013-01-11T20:07:16.011+00:00Happy 2013, OPA!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Χρόνια Πολά everyone and Happy 2013!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we are again, a brand new year and time for a bit of reflection!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started "Typical Greek" back in 2011; <u>TypicalGreek</u>'s twitter birthday is <span style="color: blue;">19th January 2011</span> and this '<u>TypicalGreekLife</u>' blog was started <span style="color: blue;">21st February 2011</span>! I may do some fun birthday celebrations for those this year, so watch this space! I can't believe it's been 2 years now - that deserves a party!?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since I started the original Greek twitter account (yes, I was the <em>first </em>to ever tweet things </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Greek and I know this because I searched extensively before starting up <u>TypicalGreek</u>!) I know there have been MANY who have followed in <u>TypicalGreek</u>'s footsteps over the past 2 years and will probably continue to do so in the future (eh, everyone copies the Greeks, enen) but I want to say thank you to those of you who have shown your loyalty to the TG account and also to those of you who read this blog; it means a lot to know I can bring you some joy, and I plan to stay and grow - just for your 'edutainment'! (This is what I call fun knowledge... education+entertainment. Oh Gredutainment... Greek Education + entertainment. Have I gone too far now?)</span><br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/TypicalGreek" target="_blank"><img border="0" eea="true" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPC_zAvibztjNuN7du3uV22k2rUEdA6vxDyrDxzDJ1p6nqdtjbGfxrroqfv5oflE3tSE_husPbyEJRkOwCSovvSpEmOd-rpfgVYV1r5UYy0tffoojbp4RaaH-p8etoGw6u13XhGn2V2pE/s320/duida.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My last 'happy new year' post of 2012 can be found </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://typicalgreeklife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/happy-new-year.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> and you should give it a read again! I talk about the wonder of the vasilobita tradition of a Greek new year! Did you find the coin last year? If so, how did your year turn out? I've yet to win it since I was a child - ooof. (Well, not including the fake coins yiayia hides in the cake so we all end up being winners, anyway...)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">None the less, I am looking forward to 2013 and seeing where things go! If you have any ideas of blogposts you would like to read about this year, please leave me suggestions below or email me at <a href="mailto:typicalgreek@gmail.com">typicalgreek@gmail.com</a> - after all, this is all for you guys!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Have an amazing start to the year; try and keep to your new year's resolutions (if you need any tips check out my blog post <a href="http://typicalgreeklife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/how-to-keep-your-new-years-resolutions.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sagapw my twitterakia/blogerakia!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-38381861391631852832012-12-31T12:51:00.000+00:002013-01-11T20:06:09.062+00:00How to keep your New Year's Resolutions... Greek Style.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A new year is coming again! A time for reminiscing, reflecting, and looking forward to a fresh new start, and of course with that comes... new year's resolutions!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TaxML1owj_91kCek74pxcJNcxHM5_7pz2Qz5VUjoNS45wVn2D1osIDGMczdjfyWRd-PosridvOG0TVVwYek_JXrmrB-a2rouRBs2rgS8uBLgcRQHGYRpy0-BeqTVme4Q8JzOoNx5uYJe/s1600/new+years+resolutions.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TaxML1owj_91kCek74pxcJNcxHM5_7pz2Qz5VUjoNS45wVn2D1osIDGMczdjfyWRd-PosridvOG0TVVwYek_JXrmrB-a2rouRBs2rgS8uBLgcRQHGYRpy0-BeqTVme4Q8JzOoNx5uYJe/s320/new+years+resolutions.png" width="289" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">How many times have you made new year's resolutions to just have broken them weeks later or even on the same day? Statistics show that most new year's resolutions are broken after 6 weeks actually. And do you know what the top 5 new year's resolutions usually are?
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5) Stay fit and healthy</div>
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4) Enjoy life to the fullest</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">3) Spend less, save more</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">2) Get organised</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1) Lose weight
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Well if you wanted some tips on how to keep your resolutions - Greek Style, then I am here to help! Keep reading for more...</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">* So to <span style="color: blue;">lose weight</span>... first of all, if you are living with your mother - move out. That's right, and not down the road so she can still bring you food every day, I mean out... way out! This way you can then refuse the delicious fried, juicy meat and yummy sweets that are always on tap in a Greek house, and try and cook your own things and actually be able to stop eating when you are full - this is possible despite what yiayia thinks, honest! Also, keep moving! You don't need to cruise at 10mph in your Mercedes just to visit the shops, walk re.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="200" src="http://www.easyvectors.com/assets/images/vectors/afbig/bathroom-scale-clip-art.jpg" width="199" /> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />* Wanna <span style="color: blue;">get organised</span>? Contradictorary to the previous resolution, get your mama/yiayia to help you. Ever notice how chores are just always miraculously 'done' in a Greek house? This is not the gift of a magic Greek woman, even though that's what they like you to believe... it's down to sheer organisation. This has been honed after years of torture from the mother in law. Break them down and get them to feed you their pearls of wisdom! I suggest making the most of the mornings - when the world is asleep you can get your stuff done and then have the rest of the day to do your thang!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">* Need <span style="color: blue;">motivation to work out</span>? Go to a gym where other fit Greeks are notorious for attending. You will look forward to your trips to check out the local talent and when you see that the girl next to you has better guns than you do, you will be inclined to pump that iron even harder.</span><br />
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<img height="180" src="http://www.inspiredfitstrong.com/bg/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/cardio-1.jpg" width="200" /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Need to <span style="color: blue;">save that cash</span>? A tough one if you're Greek. You can't be a tsinkounis (stingy git) or you'll never live that title down... the only option is to work even harder and earn more money - whilst not spending more than usual, though! Also, maybe think twice before forking out hundreds on that basket of flower heads just to throw them whilst at the bouzoukia... #JustSaying</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">* Want ideas for <span style="color: blue;">enjoying life to the fullest</span>? That one should be easy to keep if you are surrounded by like minded, fun Greeks! No one can party and enjoy life like a Greek! </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">What are some of your new year's resolutions? Any tips for keeping them? Happy 2013 my Typical Greeks and hope all your dreams come true!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-21353176516269714912012-12-25T18:06:00.001+00:002013-01-11T20:05:33.754+00:00Merry Greek Christmas 2012!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Merry Greek Christmas everyone! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you are all having an amazing day! No doubt you are stuffing your bellies full of all the recent animals that the men in the family have spent weeks hunting in preparation for the feast,as well as all the Greek treats that the women have spent hours working on too!</span><br />
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<img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="159" data-width="318" height="200" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTdI_4vXIIvoumUL0azx0nYAaQYjFcRT2nxe_zWKiZzfgDynwKm8A" style="height: 159px; width: 318px;" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you want more Greek Christmas light reading, then check out the post from last year <a href="http://typicalgreeklife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/merry-christmas.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Looking forward to a few days of leftovers (if that's even possible in your household!) Hopefully you managed to dodge the kids table or any 'pressure talks' like getting asked by the skinniest person on the table if you are sure you have eaten enough... eh skase re kai fae! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Then of course, we have the new years events next week which I'm looking forward to; I want that coin this year...!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Hope you all are having a fantastic day, Καλά Χριστούγεννα!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-31860073800114143152012-12-12T20:01:00.000+00:002013-01-11T20:05:01.336+00:00Last Minute Christmas Shopping for Greeks!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've said it before and I'll say it again; Greeks are late. So if you haven't organised your Christmas shopping by now, then why not get something now for those special Greeks (and honorary Greeks!) in your life?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some suggestions in case you need some 'Greek-spiration'. (Click on the pictures to take you to where you can get them!):</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you know of any Greeks in your life who are sick of having to be told to be quiet when they're on the phone? Save them the trouble with this cool phone case (comes in different models too!)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/typicalgreek.715450058" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Loud Greek - iPhone 5 Case" height="200" src="http://i1.cpcache.com/product/715450058/loud_greek_iphone_5_case.jpg?color=White&height=240&width=240" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />How about a way of explaining to the '3eni' that you're not actually late, you're just running on "Greek Time" (comes in lots of different products too!):</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/typicalgreek.715490327" target="_blank"><img alt="greek time.png Wall Clock" height="200" src="http://i1.cpcache.com/product/715490327/greek_timepng_wall_clock.jpg?height=240&width=240" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Does your little doggie get picked on for being so chubby? Maybe this will help? </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/typicalgreek.715510478" target="_blank"><img alt="Im not greedy... Bone Pet Tag" height="200" src="http://i1.cpcache.com/product/715510478/im_not_greedy_pet_tag.jpg?color=White&height=240&width=240" width="200" /></a></div>
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Or what about for the souvla maker of the house? Or the baby of the house? (Same thing lol)</div>
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<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/typicalgreek.715510494" target="_blank"><img alt="Im not greedy... Apron" height="200" src="http://i1.cpcache.com/product/715510494/im_not_greedy_apron.jpg?color=White&height=240&width=240" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/typicalgreek.715510498" target="_blank"><img alt="Im not greedy... Bib" height="200" src="http://i1.cpcache.com/product/715510498/im_not_greedy_bib.jpg?color=SkyBlue&height=240&width=240" width="200" /></a></div>
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What about for someone doing their thing to expand the Greek community?<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/typicalgreek.715516768" target="_blank"><img alt="Big Fat Greek Baby Maternity T-Shirt" height="200" src="http://i1.cpcache.com/product/715516768/big_fat_greek_baby_shirt.jpg?color=White&height=240&width=240" width="200" /></a></div>
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Or how about a nice tree ornament or keyring for yiayia and pappou?</div>
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<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/typicalgreek.715485388?" target="_blank"><img alt="Made in Greece Round Ornament" height="200" src="http://i1.cpcache.com/product/715485388/made_in_greece_ornament.jpg?color=White&height=240&width=240" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/typicalgreek.715485508" target="_blank"><img alt="Made in Cyprus Aluminum Photo Keychain" height="200" src="http://i1.cpcache.com/product/715485508/made_in_cyprus_keychains.jpg?height=240&width=240" style="text-align: left;" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Who in the office is Greek and proud that would like one of these?</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/typicalgreek.715485521" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><img alt="Made in Cyprus Mug" height="200" src="http://i1.cpcache.com/product/715485521/made_in_cyprus_mug.jpg?side=Back&height=240&width=240" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/typicalgreek.715485395" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><img alt="Made in Greece Mousepad" height="200" src="http://i1.cpcache.com/product/715485395/made_in_greece_mousepad.jpg?height=240&width=240" style="text-align: left;" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you like these! This is only just a selection of what is available! I also hope some of these have given you some inspiration of gifts or stocking fillers to get the Greeks/Greek wannabe's in your life! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click <b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/typicalgreek" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">HERE </a></span></b>to see even more!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a really happy Christmas!!!!!!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-50661228429397077302012-12-09T17:28:00.000+00:002013-01-11T20:04:04.154+00:00How to survive a Greek Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christmas is such a fun time of year: imagine a sparkling Christmas tree with the family around the table calmly eating and enjoying the nice food whilst wearing cracker party hats... Well, except if you're at a Greek Christmas party that is! (You probably know by now that the words "family" and "calm" don't belong in the same sentence).</span></div>
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<img src="http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/k/kr/kris69/1327972_sparkly_christmas_tree.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />If you're having a Greek Christmas this year, I'm going to offer you some tips to surviving it and what to be prepared for!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) Arrive a few hours late. The food won't be ready when they say it will be and the hosts may still be cleaning as well as cooking and you can't come before the house has been vacuumed; that will cause great shame upon them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) Take your shoes off. Don't you dare get mud on their freshly cleaned carpet or polished floor...</span></div>
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<img height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vpD0u44pOCnTvCAQ_1UsPag7Mig2dHQn-xnFbajC14SVAxB6tXABPaj5iuysLaGiiIkHCnaIwTxjuk202efOpR112F2X06N-ByXSmys-JM50QCNHkQpn_nGFAhBugyh3RmC4PW9IqBQ/s200/leave+your+shoes+sign.jpg" width="200" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Compliment how amazing the house is looking and how delicious the food smells.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) Greet everyone excitedly while all talking at each other at the same time loudly and of course, kissing everyone's cheeks. If a thea (aunt) wants to squeeze your cheeks as well, just let her... it brings her joy and hopefully she might slip you some cash later for being her favourite! (Yes, Greeks have favourites, shhh).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5) If you're a woman, offer to help the hostess. Your offer will be rejected as the hosts don't want to appear they can't handle it, so you have to be just as stubborn and help anyway. A good 'nikokira' (housewife) will help around the house, and any woman who is lazing around will be noticed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6) If you're under the age of 21, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">single, or are a mother with a baby, you may well get placed on the "kiddie table"... The family will then expect the older "kids" to babysit for the rest of the night while they get hammered.</span></div>
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<img 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" 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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7) Be prepared for what I like to call "pressure talks". This is where your family will proceed to make things really awkward for you asking you when you are going to get married, or when are you going to make another baby. Just tell them "soon" then fire a question back at them which will likely send them off on a rant. Good questions are anything that involve them being able to gossip for a while! "So I hear Eleni from the supermarket was seen with Alex the barber the other day...."<br /><br />8) The food is going to be phenomenal; no doubt about it, so enjoy it. Greeks are pushy though and will have made enough food for 10 servings each just so they can keep forcing food down your neck for hours on end. Yes it's going to hurt but I don't care how full you get, you don't ever reject food when it is offered to you, it is just not worth the argument and the anorexic comments that will proceed. Just eat. Alternatively, eat really slowly so your plate is always full and you may get left alone for a while!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9) The predictability of gifts yet still managing to act surprised and overjoyed is an art that takes years to master, but try getting good at it. Yiayia loves to hear how you adore those knitted booties she made you, again, even though they are normally made for newborn babies...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />10) The goodbye... It's late, everyone's drunk and have been dancing the Vareto until the small hours of the morning. You're exhausted and looking forward to getting into bed with your full belly. You're excited to see that people are getting up and putting their coats on! You're at the front door kissing everyone and saying goodbye, then a small conversation starts and before you know it, it has taken an hour to stop?! To save standing around in your coat and scarf by the front door for an hour, I suggest just lighting up a cigar and dealing another round of 'kounka' and make some money gambling while everyone does their goodbyes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there you have it, 10 top tips to surviving a Greek Christmas! What are some of your top tips? Καλά Χριστούγεννα everyone!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-45531508357324828282012-10-28T10:58:00.000+00:002013-01-11T20:03:33.676+00:00Oxi Day!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time last year I wrote a post about "Oxi Day" and the history behind it. If you would like to read more about it or just refresh your history, then click below!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://typicalgreeklife.blogspot.co.uk/2011_10_01_archive.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">OXI DAY - What's it all about?</span></b></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is about a brave move by the Greek president, Metaxas, to defend our country in 1940 and thank goodness he did too or the outcome of WW2 would have been very different, what a ledge!<br /><br />To show our remembrance, support and appreciation of this day, we should be stomping around and yelling "oxi" at anything we don't want to do today! <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Disclaimer: try not to be too obnoxious with it and if any of these actions result in you getting chased by a pandofla then I am in no way being held accountable...!)</span></i></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being yelled at to do a menial chore around the house? "OXI!"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being told to walk the dog in the rain? "OXI!"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being told to peel 468 potatoes for lunch? "OXI!"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being forced to eat lamb eyeballs? "OXI!"<br /></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But seriously though...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Winston hit the nail on the head when he said "heroes fight like Greeks". So stand up and defend what is right and make a point of yelling "OXI" today!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-51628548897928874582012-10-06T19:00:00.000+01:002013-01-11T20:02:54.398+00:00How To Cheer Yourself Up... Greek Style!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all have our down days, though if you're Greek they're probably more 'raging mad' days but whatever! Here is a list of things I came up with to help cheer yourself up, Greek style!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) Eat something. Preferably Greek food. Fried greasy meat of some kind tends to do the trick.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) Go visit yiayia. Not only will she cook for you if you're too lazy or unable to, but her classic one liners will have you in stitches in no time! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Read TypicalGreek twitter. You know you will find something there that will make you laugh!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) Put on some Greek music and dance. The vareto is a good one as you can release all that Greek passion! Eh, seeing as you're meant to look drunk anyway when dancing, have a few whiskies as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5) If you're a woman, frantically clean and vacuum the entire house with the rage of a Spartan and then yell at anyone who dares try to use your clean toilet. You'll feel better after screaming for a while.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6) Go for a nice drive, and yes you can yell at people for being "poushties" and "malakes" if they get in your way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7) Watch "My Big Fat Greek Wedding".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8) Buy a new Mercedes or BMW. Or at least rent one for the day and drive around like a poser... make sure you have Greek tunes blaring out too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9) If you're a guy, go Gini (hunting) for some male bonding and drool over the fases (wood pigeon).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10) Sing your heart out while imagining </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you are at the bouzoukia with people throwing flowers at you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11) Go to the bouzoukia! But stick to drinking and dancing, or your attempt to steal the microphone may get you kicked out, #JustSaying.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12) Meet up with that 3eni friend you have called Vilos, just so you can laugh to yourself every time you say his name.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13) Meet up with your Greek friends and go to a really 3eni area and bitch about everyone really loudly in Greek.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14) Teach your 3eni friends Greek swear words.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15) Teach your 3eni friends the incorrect meaning of swear words and insist that "Eisai vilomatos" really does mean "I'd like some more bread please".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16) If you don't live in Greece or Cyprus, spend hours looking at photos of the motherland and dream about being there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17) Eat something else. Try something sweet this time like loukoumades...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18) Ask papou about his stories from the village. With any luck they should get you snoring away in no time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">19) Hide your sister's facial bleach then sit back and enjoy the drama.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20) Watch some really bad Greek T.V. The acting is so horrendous that whatever problems you have will seem so small in comparison! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope these gave you some 'Greekspiration' of ways to cheer yourself up! Don't forget, no matter how bad you think things are, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">some people have it worse; some people aren't lucky enough to be Greek after all! </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-69207261552026539562012-09-16T11:42:00.002+01:002013-01-11T19:57:42.736+00:00Greeks off to University!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's that time when all the students are off to University. For most it's a simple process but for the Greeks, it's a fussy, controlling, argumentative, emotional and chaotic experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 3eni parents wipe away a little tear when they see their little darlings off to University, but later go home and decide what to do with the spare room! The Greeks? Hell no. That room is going to be kept as a shrine...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all, the morning of the big move expect lots of screaming and shouting (nothing new there then). The big Mercedes gets stuffed full of luggage and Greek food that you can't get anywhere else, apparently.</span><br />
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After emptying the car, most would let their kids unpack and the parents can get on their merry way. The Greeks? No. Not even close. Firstly before anything else, mother storms in the room and gets out all the cleaning equipment and the entire room is given a scrub down from top to bottom. She then moves onto the kitchen and bathroom where she continues to clean. She meets the housemates who immediately love her for cleaning everything and want her to visit you often. Great, just what you wanted...</div>
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The father helps moves things around, checks everything is working and that your door locks... Then up go the religious icones and perhaps a bit of the old holy water splashing to bless the room. As you do.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All done? Nope. Off to the supermarket as you need a year's worth of food and supplies now. So cue an hour or 2 food shopping: enough canned goods to feed the street for a year, enough toilet roll to wrap around the building twice and enough cleaning products that you probably won't be reaching for much; they're more for your mother to use when she visits...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That has to be it now? Er not quite. Greek parents tend to want to stay over with you on your first night, then take you out for lunch the next day. They want to squeeze out every last opportunity with you before an emotional and melodramatic goodbye, followed by a phone call shortly after asking you where you are and what you're doing. Just don't tell them you're back in</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> the supermarket that evening picking up the alcohol that they forbade you from buying earlier...!</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-77229908043441002752012-08-25T18:49:00.001+01:002013-01-11T19:56:59.142+00:00Visiting Greece/Cyprus for a "holiday"...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So it's the summer. Almost the end now, but no doubt all you Greekies not currently living in the motherland will be off in Greece or Cyprus on your holidays!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's explain what a Greek holiday is really like. For the 3eni, it's lovely being on a gorgeous Greek island, sunning themselves on the beach, drowning themselves in beers and cocktails while they slap on their factor 50. But, for the Greeks, it's not so glamorous...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a kid, the thought of going away over the summer did not conjure up thoughts such as "yayyy I get to play on the beeeeeach!" or "woohoo I can't wait to lay on the sun lounger all day and tan up!" No, no, no, no, no... A kid going to Greece or Cyprus for their holiday meant bracing themselves for weeks on end of being dragged to relatives homes during the best part of the day in the blazing heat, being force fed food for hours on end and being compelled to engage with some random 'cousins' whom you hardly knew while they laughed at your funny Greek accent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you did manage to find any down time by yourself, it would be something authentic like playing with yiayia and pappous little cute bunny rabbits that they were breeding, to only later find them slaughtering them to eat for dinner later that night... cue mortified child, scarred for life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, just when you had spent the whole week seeing every relative in the country and thought you were done, it was time to do the goodbye visits which took up the whole of the final week of your holiday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And before you ask why we let ourselves be pulled back and forth by our family whilst we are meant to be on "holiday", let me just warn you that every Greek knows of the unwritten rule that states "sheer hell will be unleashed upon any family that visits the country and does not go and eat with them". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, our countries are gorgeous; we know this! If only we got to actually see and appreciate some of it once in a while...!? Having said that, once the sun goes down, night life is brilliant and you're often out with your cousins late at night, just don't let the family see you have been drinking...!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of you will be coming back from your trips soon, and no doubt you will be in need of another holiday to recover from the exhaustion! I'm sure there will be an army of Greeks waiting for you at 'Gadwig' airport and a nice hot bowl of augolemoni/augolemono (depending on where you come from!) to settle you back in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What did you get up to in Greece or Cyprus this summer?</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-61559761202712114772012-07-03T18:32:00.000+01:002013-01-11T19:55:11.885+00:00Typical Greek "ProsoboVivlio"?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ela paidia! We have officially set up a "ProsoboVivlio" page (or as it is more commonly known, "FaceBook"...) </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Typical-Greek/381815068540299" target="_blank"><img height="200" src="http://xplain.co/sites/default/files/facebook_logo.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check it out, 'like it' if you like it, and contribute your funny Typical Greek moments as and when they happen and share with like minded Greeks! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You never know, you may make a new friend, find long lost family or maybe meet the love of your life..? If not, you can just laugh along at our Greek silliness! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Typical-Greek/381815068540299" target="_blank"><b>CHECK IT OUT HERE!</b></a></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-13910744399947843252012-06-17T20:51:00.002+01:002013-01-11T19:53:12.905+00:00EuroCup 2012 update: wait have Greece won already?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So yesterday Greece played their crucial match against Russia, and in order to stay in the competition they HAD to win this game!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well the good news is that Greece won, yeahhhh!!! Again, the second half was the strongest (I'm telling you, during half time they get a whipping from their mothers and yiayias in the changing rooms...) and we got a goal in 2 mins after the second half - yehhh Karagounis!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />My favourite part was watching them celebrating at the end! It was amazing to see everyone so proud and happy, but I did have to laugh that they were celebrating as if they had won the whole competition! I love that though, and can only look forward to what it is going to be like if we win the whole contest!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though our supporter section in the crowd was small, it still dominated! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come on boys, take it to the next round and show Europe how amazing Greeks really are!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. I bet this perked up all the Greek dads today, happy fathers day papakia!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-9027163929783566022012-06-13T17:38:00.001+01:002013-01-11T19:51:51.146+00:00Euro Cup 2012.. Greek style.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />So Euro Cup 2012 kicked off last week with Greece playing the first match against Poland! It was an eventful match, as you would expect with the Greeks... there were some yellows cards, red cards and 2 goals! That was pretty split amongst both teams though! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We evened out at 1:1 with both teams losing a player. Unfortunately we missed a major penalty right after Poland's goalie got sent off which was a bit of a shame as we could have creamed them, but never mind eh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the plus side, the 'twitterakia' had a little giggle over the Greeks' surnames and how they were giving the 3eni commentators a hard time trying to pronounce them! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Their second game was against Czech Republic.. This one did not go so well! It was so frustrating to watch the Greeks being so laid back they may as well have laid down on the grass and had a nap. 2 goals were snuck in within the first 6 minutes of the game, "oh shid"! But that's ok, the Greek supporters stayed strong!</span></div>
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<img height="128" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS0o5XsfXpDVAfAO9Di3L6Lsbyox0zrpdwXvxlCwRLYEBeS5oibsg" width="200" /> <img height="129" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTYS2Q7ZJHJmkdCF2HNJ2yrT3MfG-D6hc04uVclgp3EFeqryqJWMg" style="text-align: left;" width="200" /> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided that this was a simple strategy of giving the Czech a false sense of security... you know, the old wooden horse tactic? Pretend you are giving them a great gift (2 goals) when really you are using that as a way in to hit them when they least expect it! Yeh, the rest of the first half that did not happen. Not to worry though, during half time clearly their mothers came down and pulled their ears and whipped them into shape as the second half they made their come back almost immediately!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes a goal was stolen from us by the poushto referee as being "offside" mish, but we did get another one in there! The Czech goalie with his wanna be Greek helmet headpiece, was not pleased..muahaha!</span></div>
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<img height="183" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/12/article-2157849-1393742A000005DC-156_634x363.jpg" width="320" /> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, what the hell is going on here? Bit of a back massage? Strange... </span></div>
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<img src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSAM3AGgzhjJiWZQJs5Md8nUSpBTFx681OUT9w_oUPVt7gsYhHF" /> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also quite enjoyed the Greek aggression in the second half! Anyone else spot it when one of our players got knocked over and he jumped up and almost thumped the Czech? Haha pretty funny, don't mess with the Greeks once they're in fighting spirit! The Czech went from being cocky in the first half over their success, to suddenly crapping themselves; you could see it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, in order for Greece to really stay in the competition they have to beat Russia in the next match on Sunday 17th June 2012 (and vice versa really, so it should be a tense but exciting match!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come on Greece, give us something to shout about! We don't need an excuse, but it would be nice to have one! </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-990623435056764162012-05-27T10:22:00.001+01:002013-01-11T19:48:30.667+00:00Greek-o-vision 2012!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So last night was the Eurovision for 2012, and this year we were lucky enough to have both Greece and Cyprus representing the Greeks!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFSFIYu-nigaTQOwGX7Hhmv73tHahzBRMYYRE4Embk5hq2vkanl3Jn9BGCH04UgYTzVXk-YlqXKoa8v6lRMl_eGbFUx7GhL31Ina2wkm0gffb8vBRbMRSSuVmK3bvE-wS2QErkibtfOcP/s1600/greekovision.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFSFIYu-nigaTQOwGX7Hhmv73tHahzBRMYYRE4Embk5hq2vkanl3Jn9BGCH04UgYTzVXk-YlqXKoa8v6lRMl_eGbFUx7GhL31Ina2wkm0gffb8vBRbMRSSuVmK3bvE-wS2QErkibtfOcP/s200/greekovision.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First up was Ivi Adamou with her "La La Love" performance, and all the 'Twitterakia' agreed she did an amazing performance! Her song was catchy, bubbly and fun to watch. See it here:</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ex133UhxB64?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then we had Eleftheria Eleftheriou performing "Aphrodisiac". It was great to hear the Greek beat and see the Greek dancing in her performance as well. Another fun, bubbly performance agreed by all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both girls did an amazing job and should be proud of themselves. They were definitely the winners in the looks department of the competition, that's for sure! On Twitter last night, we were all outraged at the voting and there was a real sense of conspiracy... At least both Cyprus and Greece gave one another 12 points though, can always count on that loyalty!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully next year we will both be in the competition again and do some more amazing performances and one day bring the show back to Greece (well, maybe not in this current financial climate lol) or to Cyprus (for the first time ever!). Although I think it would be nice to have some more native instruments, dances or lyrics in our performances in the future though! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what are your comments on the Eurovision last night and how do you think our girls did? </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-25402355728230045772012-04-15T20:19:00.000+01:002012-04-15T20:19:55.580+01:00Xristos Anesti!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xristos Anesti everyone! Christ has risen! Yep, Greek Easter is 'different' this year - we run on our own schedule! Yesterday I informed you of the Epitafio and what that entailed on Friday night, well now I will lead you through Saturday and Sunday's events!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So Saturday morning, most Greeks are up at the crack of dawn for 2 reasons. One is to get to the butchers at stupid o'clock to get the best meat for the feast on Sunday (and there will forever be queues outside until the last scrap of meat is sold) </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSoXYLg-0oBP8bdFfPN5NRR1kZvJABsXbyJ7YIDYpk-Z5ozvtGz9w" width="163" /> </span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the second reason is to go to Church again. What we do this time, is get cleansed by the blood and body of Christ. So before even eating or drinking anything that morning, we all queue up, kiss the Epitafio (maybe steal a flower or two from it!) <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="131" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRacN0LAxRHXEFDkN83u8AWa6cElQdugiZCU-5fVkbFR8rHcIP-Uw" width="200" /> </div></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and then meet the Baba (the Priest) who will feed us a spoonful of sweet red wine and give us a blessing. Yep, all of God's (Greek) children share off the same spoon - we make a joke about getting ill haha but of course it's nothing to worry about really! After that, there is a basket of chopped up bits of bread which symbolise Jesus' body, which we are then to eat. Then we are free to go home and eat our breakfast. Many stay for the entire time to hear the service but often Churches cannot accommodate all the people that come by!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is often some flaouna eating at this point mmm... tasty pastries that only appear this time of the year and all the women of the family will make them by the case load - often running out of oven/storage space in their homes! They then force feed them to family members and demand you tell them whose tastes the best...!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="149" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqF0dheOKDupjmoUrVnBk6DCIez3TQws3DuMMx6DnfzrKK-aXeRg" width="200" /></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday night - midnight mass. It's time for Church again! Everyone gathers to their church for the moment when Christ rises again. At midnight, all the lights in the church go off and at the stroke of midnight the holy candle is lit. This flame is then passed around until everyone has a candle lit from this holy light. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQU3JV6Rmf_c8Jp7b5lW6Lb00VKCOxWRJUgGk9JvEOR1MEFwXhv8A" /> </span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The challenge is to preserve this flame and take it back to your home without it being blown out, for a special blessing! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course there is danger of hair being set on fire and wax dripping all over your clothes, shoes and carpet again; health and safety eat your heart out! On the drive home, y</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ou can spot the Greeks a mile away with their glowing cars! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After midnight, we are free to eat whatever we want again, and many take this opportunity to go to the nearest place to find meat! Some have a special feast all ready for when they get home too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All day Sunday is a day of eating, really! In the morning there is the good old 'egg war' whereby there is a competition to have the winning egg to withstand all the others - there's good luck in it for the winner! Typical Greeks always have a trick up their sleeve to make sure they win though...!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS0luDBCzFxOWVL--GllxBnDwrUPMnNhPKIbfWrvrsKNHGRHFc4" /> </div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then there is the big Sunday feast of lamb and anything else you can get your hands on, eating so much that you fall into a meat coma! Easter really is such a great day for us, and the Greek restaurants are happy as well as everyone is eating meat again, opa! Hope you all had a great weekend and Xristos Anesti! </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-40081522641837166662012-04-14T17:54:00.003+01:002012-04-14T18:00:46.568+01:00Epitafio Problems!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So last night was the very important "Epitafio" at Church whereby Jesus' "tomb" is decorated with flowers in each Greek Orthodox Church around the world and then carried out into the streets while all the Greeks walk behind it holding candles. This is the night when Jesus died on the cross and is a serious time of mourning and should be respected.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.omilo.com/cms/images/stories/epitafio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.omilo.com/cms/images/stories/epitafio.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course I did take it seriously in my heart, however there are comical moments in our culture that no matter how serious it is, you gotta just laugh and I like to share those moments, so sorry if you got offended! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Twitter last night we had an 'epidafio update' while everyone was sharing their funny stories and pictures of their night and 'problems'. I think this is so important, not only for comedy factors but also to help those who couldn't make it to a Church, really feel like they were a part of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all, good luck finding a parking space within walking distance to your Church. You will likely see cars littered all over the place in places I'm sure they shouldn't be. "Ah, I won't get a ticket, I'm going to Church ene" OK dad...</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQJSQugyfk5cJxxS-55HpsLtUxhWgnGlau1r3xJEitDQl0MwHRZgi_EI39vJTnZlpvA9HXJl2DW7Kd3-v2YoX6c8oQxBg3KOIT8JLqNYKNuLL7gAjjgNTToesjVurq0XHskCJ8YuirmI/s200/NoParking.jpg" width="200" /></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second of all, good luck getting a seat in Church. Unless you have been there all day (unlikely unless you are over the age of 80) then you will be standing in every floor space available, (if you're lucky), if not you will be standing outside...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inside the Church is the beautiful Epitafio, decorated with white flowers. This is then carried outside, really slowly and then all the people follow behind it. The walk is about 15-20mins long depending on your area, but my oh my what an experience it is! First of all, get ready to see lots of people you know. You may leap and hug a few, but then duck and run from some others!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://p.twimg.com/AqZRdrqCQAMU45P.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="pic.twitter.com/h88W8AnH" border="0" height="236" src="https://p.twimg.com/AqZRdrqCQAMU45P.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(Image courtesy of a #typicalgreek follower)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will also get stared at by every non-Greek civilian. I saw people taking pictures of us from the street, people stopping us asking what we are doing etc. We like to cause a commotion. It's also really empowering when we stop traffic. Yes you 3eni, you will respect the PROPER Good Friday whether you want to or not! Cars were stuck as we marched through the middle of the main road and they could do nothing but sit and watch!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I mentioned before, most people would be carrying candles.. cue drippy wax and flamed hair! It can get very messy... </span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ8jnIH63JZJ468r86i5_56ytpLfDXTo0hN6kNk-esvyWkYVzpc" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ladies, please control your hair from flying in the wind because no one is accountable for it being set alight, but you! You will just get dirty looks for causing a drama over your hair. Also while I'm at it, don't cause a scene when you slip because of those high heels you have chosen to wear either, this isn't a fashion show! I know you want to find a husband... but I don't think you'll impress anyone while you run around screaming with your hair on fire and trip over your broken heel...? And guys, I don't think that girl you're winking at is really going to appreciate you choking her with your heavy cologne either...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, although there are funny things about what we do, let's remember the real meaning behind this special time of year. I did light a candle for all you @TypicalGreek followers and readers of this blog, and I pray you have a safe and happy Easter! Kali Anastasi!<br />
</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-2776003735070053762012-03-25T11:00:00.000+01:002012-03-25T11:00:09.678+01:00It's time for Greeks to fight like heroes once again!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Greek Independence Day everyone!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time last year I wrote a post all about this special day, so if you want to know more then read about it here:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://typicalgreeklife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/greek-independence-day.html">http://typicalgreeklife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/greek-independence-day.html</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let this remind you that you can conquer anything you put your mind to - because you are GREEK! (even if you're not, you're taking an interest and reading this, so you can be an honorary Greek!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found this moving video which is inspiring and encourages us all to stand together and fight for what we believe in. We're still fighting for our independence but we will not be defeated:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"It's time for Greeks to fight like heroes once again"</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="http://daveknowscars.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Greek-taxi-benz_240d_diesel.jpg" width="320" /><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Mercedes is the car that escorts the family to special events or anywhere where there are going to be lots of people; you know, so they can show off!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Mercedes is the car that the father will drive to escort the daughter to the church on her wedding day (no, she doesn't get a say in it). The Greek man's Mercedes is also the car that will take its place clogging up the whole street of other Mercedes Benz who are currently visiting the same Greek family. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.ibtimes.com/www/data/images/full/2010/10/11/47999-new-cars-are-parked-outside-the-mercedes-benz-headquarters-i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://img.ibtimes.com/www/data/images/full/2010/10/11/47999-new-cars-are-parked-outside-the-mercedes-benz-headquarters-i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Yeh, 3eni neighbours hate it when we do that... They forgive us on BBQ Sundays though when they're given free food! Ftines... Anyway back to the point!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So how can you tell if it a Mercedes is owned by a Greek? Well, to start with Greeks are probably the ones who own about 90% of them to start with so the odds are pretty high haha but more distinctively you can firstly look out for a fancy number plate: "SPYR05", "E1EN1" "CYPRU5" etc.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRBLTmxnfx4f7EkTZinSYEBxxxXfufU7tWdGajMCp12xGF365WhLSDxRLDn19dSzAx6mcySRl5RQIGTZDUZkbYdFC88Wx9xc34EQJQlfXJXwlRGv3J4tikVLI1k1vUguIMcDF5-HrYpQ3/s1600/GREEKPLATE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRBLTmxnfx4f7EkTZinSYEBxxxXfufU7tWdGajMCp12xGF365WhLSDxRLDn19dSzAx6mcySRl5RQIGTZDUZkbYdFC88Wx9xc34EQJQlfXJXwlRGv3J4tikVLI1k1vUguIMcDF5-HrYpQ3/s320/GREEKPLATE.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will also find the best anti theft device any vehicle can ever have; a cross, evil eye and icona swinging hypnotically from the mirror to frighten off any potential thieves!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, you can spot a Greek Merc by the loud shifteteli blowing up the speakers, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the hairy arm hanging out of the window (that goes for any gender....) and clicking fingers to the music. Then there's </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the puff of cigarette smoke swirling out the tinted windows, accompanied by the wreckless driving (because they're running late) and complete disregard of any rules of the road!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ahh to be a Greek Mercedes owner... it's the only way to drive!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160243519779843602.post-88292273192182553642012-02-26T11:08:00.000+00:002012-02-26T11:08:37.789+00:00Twas the night before the big fast!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, tomorrow is C</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lean Monday! I wrote about it last year on my blog so you can read more about it here to remind yourselves!: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://typicalgreeklife.blogspot.com/2011/03/clean-monday.html">http://typicalgreeklife.blogspot.com/2011/03/clean-monday.html</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Greek Easter is at a different time this year (so sorry to all you guys on Twitter who apparently started their fasting last week; you lost a week of meat!!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our 'Καθαρά Δευτέρα'</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">marks the run up to Easter which is the holiest time of the year for Greeks! Being Sunday today (a.k.a. Souvla day), I imagine most of the Greeks will be having a massive feast to stuff in as much meat as they can before the fast starts tomorrow. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQmp8Rud9zpeDLP8zdvXtL8rGm536FcWAlyMgri9E8JJAuGuzRwBw" /></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those of you who are not brave enough to give up meat, give up something else you love for 40 days instead! Get ready for some cranky Greeks for the next few months...! Katishi mas!</span><br />
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