Today it's Easter Sunday here in Crete. I am always confused about Easter and why it jumps about from year to year. I know its got something to do with full moons, the spring equinox and the first Sunday after those events but I cant grasp why it's different again here. I think it may be something to do with different calendars. Might be a 'google it' moment.
It's an important time for Greeks and is celebrated in style. Last night everyone gathered at the village church for a service, they were all carrying unlit candles. At midnight when the service ended the papas (priest) used his candle to light the candles of the people nearest him. Those people in turn lit other candles until all the candles were flickering. It is said that if you can get home before the candle goes out then you will have a good year. At the same time a bonfire is lit and firecrackers explode with a bang.
Traditionally it is a time for families who gather together for a meal of roast lamb, often a whole one cooked on a spit, although some people break the fast with a soup made from lamb entrails.
The firecrackers were exploding until the early hours so it was a late night for us and then they started all over again early this morning so a lie in was out of the question. Our nearest neighbours have been on their terrace all afternoon, singing and playing the bouzouki (a Greek musical instrument similar to a guitar) and they are all set for a long night. No time for dreamin again tonight
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