Day Trip to Lake Plastira

see all photos »

Today I went for a drive through the mountains to Pezoula, to Lake Plastira. I went with Debbie, Themis, Debbies two friends. The drive was fun.

The roads are narrow and there are many cars so they all drive slowly to avoid accidents around the corners. There are a lot of little towns along the way, many waterfalls and beautiful mountains all around. Its cute what you see along the way, the contrast of old and new, old run down houses with such character with solar power panels on top. Little stone or whitewood shrines which are kept in good condition to mourn the dead, with a holy picture inside and oil burners and flowers, yiayiathes checking them and keeping them fresh. Old men going for random walks alone through the meadows. A contrast of new modern motorcyclists zooming past and then an old man on an old motor bike handmade to have a huge windshield. There were goats and sheep, sheep look different with their necks and faces clean shaven. The roads are winding but not as scary as I had pictured in my mind, they are mainly sealed and old and new cars, four-wheeled drives, sports cars. Its strange they drive on the other side of the road and the other side of the car. If I were to drive I would veer to the left and get into an accident.

see all photos »

The lake was huge, flat crystal waters. I breathed in cold crisp fresh mountain air. They told me during the war the Germans drained the lake and used it as a airstrip and the Greeks would hide in the surrounding trees.

Today there were many people there visiting, I was tld its always liek that. We walked around and took photos. Later some more of Debbies friends met us there. We went for a ride on the lake. They had these strange upright bicycles you ride on the water. The man who owned them tried to talk to me because he saw me taking so many strange photos. He jokingly asked me if I was putting them in a magazine. I couldn’t talk to him but the cousins told him I was from Australia and he let us ride around for free. It was fun. I raced Themis. It was tiring but I won.

see all photos »

We sat around the lake I took some interesting photos of the surroundings and of the rubbish. It was all art to me. Themis and I listened to some music, made shadow puppets and tried skipping stones across the lake. I wasnt so successful at the stone skipping.

Everyone thought the photos I have been taking is a little strange but I like it and I laughed at their concern. It was cute. Thia Katirina didnt like that I had taken straneg photos at angles, or of rubbish.  I understood how they may think I am being rude but I explained to Themis that anyone can take photos of themselves in front of this lake or any monument of fame or beauty but that isnt what my journey is about, it isnt what my photos are about. I want to capture life, new perspectives. The lake was beautiful I appiciate its beauty but I also appriciate the beauty in the details around me that sometimes go overlooked but are what make the experience. The contrast of litter and nature is common everywhere around the world. It is a growing concern but it highlights that man has left its imprint on nature. Photos shouldnt simply be about capturing fake smiles or happy moments, they reflect life and all its beauty, the array of emotions the array of moments, good and bad. This is what makes us human, this is what makes us whole. My images arent about highlighting the bad , they are about reflecting the beauty and capturing the moment and the thoughts and feelings that surround me and my journey.

see all photos »

After the lake we then drove to a taverna which had a beautiful mountain and lake view and ate at Agnandi, a few minutes from Pezoula. First we ate salads, Saganaki with Loukaniko (a cheese dip), and then for the main I ate Panseta, which came highly recommended. It was a pork stake which was so tasty. Some of the guys drank Chiporo, I popular Greek alchohol which smelt similar to Ouzo. This is mainly taken by the men as it is a very 'manly' drink to have here. I didnt try any but said i would before the end of my journey just for the cultural experience. Aparently it is very strong and you drink it dilluting it in water to suit your personal taste.

see all photos »

While at the table we played this game with everyone, similar to what Ive played beofre. Someone is the leader, they name an object , they secretly decide on a pattern through this object, such as fruits for example. Then you go around the circle and each person names a different object and the leader says if they are have passed or not. The people have to work out the pattern. I couldn’t play because I didn’t know greek words but I could follow and work out the pattern and I gave them a good one to use, where the pattern was ABC. They said that was very clever and they really enjoyed that game.

see all photos »

We drove back home and I was very tired and slept for 4 hours and then went out for a little with Themis, Debbie wasn’t feeling well. W sat and a café and talked with his friend Sakis. It was interesting talking about the similarities and differences between our countries it really emphasized how closed off Australians are from the world and other ways off living at thinking.

Greeks live by their emotions, they scream and swear at each other but they resolve their differences. They love deeply, they cry they laugh, they live by their emotions. Seeing this in Australia I didn’t understand it I thought it was stupid, but here I have discovered an appreciation for it. The females still do the cooking and taking care of the house, for example its Debbies job to set the table and feed her brotehr when her mum isnt around which i was about uncomfortable about at first. But then i saw the system, tey have their roles and it isnt an issue for them. The women arent sheep they speak their mind quite vocally, they yell and complain, but also love and laugh and sing and dance. The men care deeply for them and follow the orders that are given to them. They all live by their hearts, they all feel and talk about love as such a powerful thing, they are all romantics men and women through their songs and poetry and photographs.

see all photos »

They appreciate physical beauty. Women and men dress so nice and respectfully. But around the house everyone can wear what ever, they all wear pjs. Neighbours from the apartment visit in their pjs. Aunties arent afriad to be seen out of the costume of makeup and fancy dress.  Its cute, its all comfortable. They all wear pjs until ealry afternoon. Its only when they go out for coffee that they make a big effort and look stunning, both men and women alike. I like the way everyone dresses they make an efort with their image, the boys wear sports jackets and shirts and scarfs tucked into their suits. Its lovely. Self respect.

see all photos »

Also no one cares about work. I dont understand how society functions here. No one ever works and its always liek that. I thought it was just for Easter but its all teh time. Aunties and Uncles always visit for lunch, friends always drop by. Greeks put life first and work second. Young and old stay out to late hours of the morning with friends laughing talking. Its wonderful. Im starting to connect the pieces of what i saw in teh Greek community in Australia, the pieces taht didnt fit in. They now slide in so easily to the Greek lifestyle.