Téleia Mí̱nas tou Mélitos sti̱n Elláda (Perfect Honeymoon in Greece)

Patrick and I have talked forever about a trip to Greece. When it came time to decide where we would go on our honeymoon, there was absolutely no question about the location. It was probably the easiest decision we made during the year of our enagement (regarding the wedding at least). This trip was absolutely fantastic! I could never have imagined it to be as good as it truly was.

While in Greece there were several things that happened to us that made me think I was meeting a character straight out of the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which frankly I loved. On the plane from Frankfurt, Germany to Athens I was seated next to two Greek men. One man was now living in Vancouver and going home to visit his family and the other was actually from the village in Crete right over the hill from the one where we were going to on our first leg of the trip, Agios Nikalaios. When I told them that I was a little concerned about not knowing a lick of Greek, the man told me that I could give him any word and he will tell me how it comes from the Greek language and that I should have no problem because so many English words are Greek based. Then he proceded to give me several words that he knew off the top of his head that were clearly copied by the English language from Greek. So if we got lost in a random village, at least Patrick and I would know how to ask about the state of democracy, or where the theatre was, or hey-do you have the name of a good plumber? As small talk continued and they learned that we were on our honeymoon, each man made it very clear to me that if I "become pregnant" it is customary to give the baby a Greek name. Well thank goodness that didn't happen. I'd hate to have to introduce my son, Panagotis Flynn (pronounced Pan-uh-yot-is) or my daughter, Voula Flynn. Call both of them Nick, Nicko, or Nicki for short-this really was an unbelievably common name.

The highlight of our trip was definitely our sailing trip on the Agean Sea around the island of Santorini. It was the most spectacular day. Our captain, Captain Ted, is an American Greek from Jersey who is now married to an Australian Greek woman and lives six months out of the year in Santorini. He makes a living participating in the main local idustry fishing. As Captain Ted puts it, he specializes in "catching sucker tourists!" In all seriousness, he has several catamarans that himself and other former corporate slaves turned full time Skippers take tourists for the right price on incredible tours around the island. The day provided an open bar, and a homemade meal of fresh Greek fare, and front row view to one of the most beautiful sunsets on the entire planet. If you are ever in Santorini, I strongly encourage you to take one of these trips.

The food in Greece was also very delicious. We tried tons of different things and ate enough octopus that I would not be surprised if we each sprouted six more legs. Our two favorite things were the Greek salad and the domatokeftedes (tomato fritters) which is a local to the island of Santorini.

The tomato fritters were Patrick's favorite so I've promised that I would find a recipe to prepare them at home. They are almost like crab cakes, but instead they have tomatoes, onions, garlic, and I think dill. Delicious with the classic yogurt sauce tzatziki. The Greek salad is unlike what we have here. There is no lettuce, all chopped vegetables. It has given me idea for an easy new recipe that I think I'm going to call Greek pico. I figure I will make it this weekend for some Memorial Day festivities and I will post the recipe here in a few days. Until then have a great holiday weekend!

Yia sis! (prounounced yah-sis, hello and good bye in Greek)