I suspect the blog title is opaque since the film, Never on Sunday, came out about 50 years ago. It starred Melina Mercouri (Ken and I regularly pass a street named after her on our way home from the metro). The film itself is eminently forgettable, but the eponymous theme music introduced the famous Greek composer Theodorakis to most Americans (you can go to YouTube to hear it). And today, Sunday, that was just one of the tunes played in what turned out to be a five-hour afternoon of food and music.
The host for my research project, Alexis Kokkos of Hellenic Open University and Hellenic Adult Education Association, and his wife, Christine, took us to the home of a long-standing music friend, Dimitris and his wife, Corina. I was underdressed--most of the women were wearing dresses, skirts, or a pants outfit--and heels. (And nylons!! When is the last last time I saw a woman wearing nylons!?!)
We arrived late--but others arrived later. (Everyone agrees that this is normal for Greeks.) Even so, nearly 20 people were getting a bit restive because food is not served until everyone arrives. (I missed getting a photo of the food.) With the exception of the tabouli and the tadziki (yogurt dip), I didn't recognize anything. We were later told these dishes were representative of the cuisine of the islands.
Then the music started--and went on for three hours. (Ken had been warned to bring his mandolin.) Everyone sang full-throated. Then everyone ate dessert. Then everyone sang some more.
This is a typical Sunday--get dressed up in "go to meeting" clothes, visit friends and family, eat, sing--and sometimes, dance. I'm beginning to wonder if the apparent health benefits of the "Mediterranean diet" are really in the food--or in what's going on around the food!
The host for my research project, Alexis Kokkos of Hellenic Open University and Hellenic Adult Education Association, and his wife, Christine, took us to the home of a long-standing music friend, Dimitris and his wife, Corina. I was underdressed--most of the women were wearing dresses, skirts, or a pants outfit--and heels. (And nylons!! When is the last last time I saw a woman wearing nylons!?!)
We arrived late--but others arrived later. (Everyone agrees that this is normal for Greeks.) Even so, nearly 20 people were getting a bit restive because food is not served until everyone arrives. (I missed getting a photo of the food.) With the exception of the tabouli and the tadziki (yogurt dip), I didn't recognize anything. We were later told these dishes were representative of the cuisine of the islands.
This is a typical Sunday--get dressed up in "go to meeting" clothes, visit friends and family, eat, sing--and sometimes, dance. I'm beginning to wonder if the apparent health benefits of the "Mediterranean diet" are really in the food--or in what's going on around the food!
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