Mood:  hungry

If hot dogs, sodas, ice cream and sandwiches are well-known foods and beverages found in the American culinary landscape, Summer grilling and feasting on traditional, time-proven meals are synonymous with a good time. In my mind, there is no Summer without back yard BBQ, not far away from the swimming. Barbecuing the right food items is a very important element in the Summer decor. Grilling tuna steak or any other type of fish, preparing kebabs and preparing corn on the cob are truly important parts of the Summer meals. When my wife bought this book last May, I did not care about opening it until I started hanging out more around the pool. There is something very peculiar about tasting chlorine and knowing that this taste can be erased with the piece of fruits and barbecued food items located right on the deck.

BBQ USA by Steve Raichlen is the right Summer Book to get your barbecue season started

Each time I drive into the countryside, I get to see huge, vast green fields of corn. I just can't wait to buy some firm, full ears to grill at home. In fact, buying ears of corn is one of the pleasures of Summer that most people in this country and particularly this state enjoy. With year-round great outdoors weather, we tend to take advantage of what nature has to offer. So grilling becomes second nature to us. Steve wants to share his secret recipe with us. "Strip the husk back like you'd peel a banana, tying it below the corn to form a sort of handle. Then splash some light olive oil on it. You can also use melted butter. To season, sprinkle some salt and pepper. Then, grill it over a hot fire for 2 to 3 minutes per side. This can go for a grand total of 12 minutes."

What do you want? What do you want here? Roasted or Steamed Corn? Take a pick

Most people just like their corn grilled with the husk on. As for me, I like it off. This way, the kernels tend to get roasted. The sugars get caramelized. That's what I like about the details given by Steve in his book. You can have steamed corn whenever you leave the husk on. On many occasions, I tend to steam my corn. When I don't have time to roast them, I tend to steam them in the microwave. My father has no use for these grilling techniques. He can eat his corn raw. He picks the best corn out and starts eating the kernels with all their juice.

The tradition of bonfire in the great American camp sites

If you are out on the beach or in a remote area in the mountains, you will undoubtedly have access to natural elements. I have participated in camp activities all over the state and many overseas countries. There's no greater feeling than that of gathering around a camp fire while your corn is being grilled in the embers. The husk can be removed if you want to roast it. Most of the times, you can just place in the embers with the husk on. The taste will be superb.

The enjoyment of the sweet corn starts right in the fields. The fresh scent that emanates from the purple, gold silk of a multitude of ears of corn is very special. It conjures memories of years past when as a kid I used to go to my grandparents' fields with them. All I did was to select the best ears of corn to eat.

A Grand Total of 425 recipes about various fish products, vegetable, fruits and ordinary food items

BBQ USA gives great information about how to prepare practically anything under the sun. If it can be grilled, you will find it in this book. I plan on using it from now on. I have already read quite a few recipes I would like to use in my cooking.

It's a very interesting book that will take your breath off thanks to its wide range of information it provides.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 4:58 PM

Updated: Saturday, 23 October 2004 6:31 AM

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It's not too often that I read a book in just one seating. After devouring all its 272 pages, I was ready for more. Cultivating Delight: A Natural History of My Garden by Diane Ackerman is now featured among some of the best books that all readers should have on their bookshelves. She pays such attention to details that some critics are led to say that she approaches her subject matter not only with a poet's intensity but also with a naturalist's curiosity. Others are saying that she is a true sensualist. After receiving a recommendation from a friend of mine to read this book, so far, it's one of the best things that could have happened to me this month. In fact, it's such an uplifting book that even in matters of leaves decaying, falling and death, Diane has managed to show the beauty of life.

A Challenge To Discover Her Senses

It's my opinion that reading this book will set the mood to be able to appreciate the small things of life. Once you do that, you will open the door to happiness. Happiness is what Diane found among her possession of more than five hundred plants. As you read the pages of this book, you will realize that once Diane enters her garden, she finds serenity and tranquility. It's as if she had stepped into some sort of trance-like metamorphosis. Her senses become brighter. She becomes enlightened. For about three years, she dedicated her time to working in her garden while documenting every aspect of growth, transformation and death among her living organisms. At some point in the book, you will realize that she enters into communication with the plants. She talks to them and calls them by name. Diane Ackerman's garden appears to be very interactive. It's a garden that is teeming with life and activities. "In the garden, I leave all the mind theater behind, all the worries (of the world), all the expectations, all the conversations that get replayed endlessly. I just bliss out," she once said. That's what most of us should feel as you enter her garden through the reading of her book. Transitions From Gardening To Life Situations Are Excellent

It's clear that while reading this book you won't be able to ask questions about the author's interest in both nature itself and human nature. Every lesson she finds, Diane tries to see what's in it for us, human beings. While she introduces the reader to her garden weeds (The marvelous is weed species that grows everywhere even in your own backyard," she once said), she also makes it a point to show the connection between plants and people. She shows the impact of gardening on the human soul in various passages. "For children, flurring leaves are just one of the older figments of nature, like hailstones and snowflakes. They love to plunge into soft, unruly mattresses of leaves, tunnel through leaf mounds and hurl leaves into the air. Walking down a lane overhung with trees in the paint-splatter of autumn, one forgets about time and death, lost in the sheer delicious spill of color."

Diane Ackerman is a writer who has done her research. You will be able to tell that she is a Science book reader. She is as comfortable describing the fine points of biology and botany as resourceful about her use of the English language. Let's take a look at her description. "Dawn frost sits heavily on the grass and turns metal fencing into a string of stars...Seasoned trackers, we stand still and squint heard, looking for signs....Autumn is stealing into town, on schedule, with its entourage of chilly nights, macabre holidays and spectacular, heart-stoppingly beautiful trees. Soon the leaves will start cringing and roll up in clenched fists before they actually fall off."

Lots of symbolisms and simili given to make her points

Vivid memory, sense of smell and attraction of the sites in the book

Cultivating Delight is truly a gem in that it's book that plays on your senses. There is no falling asleep when reading this book. You will stay awake with the various appeals to your five senses. For example, find out how she describes the transition to the Fall season. "The vast green leaf-castles of Summer will vanish like a mirage. But first there will be weeks of hypnotic colors so sensuous, shrieking and confettilike that people will travel for many miles just to stare at them--a whole season of gemlike leaves." To me, reading this book is like reading a long poem. It's true poetic measures can enhance the prose of fictions and non-fiction.

Who said it is not sexy to talk, write about trees?

Diane writes about colors in a way that shows her education and preparation. "Why do the colors form? They don't, they undress. Soon after the Summer soltice (june 21), when days begin to shorten, a tree reconsiders its leaves. All Summer it fed them and they processed sunlight, but as the days shorten, the tree gradually chokes off its leaves by pulling nutrients down to the trunk and roots, storing them there for winter. Spongy cells form at the leaves' slender petioles, then scar over. With little nourishment, the leaves stop manufacturing the green pigment, chlorophyll, and photosynthesis stops...Camouflage gone, reds and oranges seem to arrive from somewhere, but they were always present, a vivid secret hidden beneath the green plasma of summer..."

Final words

Cultivating Delight is a very sensuous book that you will read with great satisfaction. At least, that's what I felt when I read it a few months ago. I hope you have the same pleasure. I just want to leave you with these fine points and observations recorded by Diane in her book. "We've always called the season fall from the Old English faellan, to fall down, which leads back through time to the Indo-European, phol, to fall. The word hasn't really changed since the first of our kind needed a name for its metamorphosis. Then there is that other fall, the one in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve concealed their nakedness with fig leaves, remember? Leaves have always hidden our awkward secrets. Fall is the time when leaves fall from the trees, just as spring is when flowers spring up, summer is when we simmer, and winter is when we whine from the cold."

Enjoy your reading of this excellent book.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 4:47 PM

Updated: Monday, 30 May 2005 7:22 PM

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Mood:  happy

Prayer, faith and healing. By faith but not by sight.

Prayer and medicine save many people's lives. They once saved mine. That's why I am a true believer in the combined power of these practices. That's one of the reasons I was attracted to the cover of this book at my local Christian bookstore. I wanted to go beyond the cover. What I found inside ended up pinning me to a chair for a good two hours among various cups of mocha. I have learned the hidden power of these words told years ago, "If ye shall ask anything in my name, that will I do." John 14:14

Written by Larry Dossey, Healing Words: The Power of Prayer and the Practice of Medicine is one of these books that most people should read. He adds that medical schools across the nation now teach students to treat whole patients, their bodies and their souls. The question to ask is whether prayers can heal. Just think for an instant about the power of words, just negative words to inflict pain and wound others. Now apply that same energy to say a prayer for others. In this book, I found out that those who pray for others tend to have their own prayers answered.

Oh,how beautiful it is to pray and pray for others: Pray to heal thyself!

My parents pray for me everyday. Prayers can relieve stress

Is the feeling or the knowledge that someone somewhere cares about you? The very act of praying has a calming effect. Whether you are saying the rosary in the case of catholics, prayer-rocking in the case of the Jews or dancing to the rythm of drum-based rich music in the case of aborigenes, Native Americans, Sharmanism, Voodoo, Santeria, Candomble etc, and breathing "om" in the case of the buddhists, you will be reaping the benefits. Research has shown that prayer can cure certain stress-related ailments. Pray to heal thyself. Prayers reduce blood pressure, lower the heart rate and give you a feeling of well-being. Just think for a moment of the effect of The Spirituals on the slaves of the New World during the slavery era and various succeeding movements?

As I was reading this book, I could not help but thinking about the story of a young man who was suffering from leukemia. As his mother was telling me the story, she could not stop crying and showing me the true power of prayers. When all the attending physicians told her to contact other family members because there was no more chance for her son, she did not listen to them. She cried out to God asking for a miracle. She prayed for a sign. Then, tired of staying up with the son the whole night, she fell asleep. She woke up about 1 hour later and felt hungry. She left the hospital to buy some food at a nearby restaurant. While she was there, she called her husband to inform him that their son was going to be fine. In her sleep, she had received the sign she wanted. She saw that God laid his hands on her son and healed. When she returned to the hospital, her son was sitting up in bed eating and drinking. In two months, that was the first time he ever did anything like that!

Just experience the healing powers of prayer to feel empowered. Find purpose and meaning in your life. Pray! Whether you get on your knees, whether you rock or walk around, whether you close your eyes and postrate in front of something, whether you meditate, experience the power of healing. That's what I found out when I fell sick with Valley Fever which I caught while in college. Thanks to prayer and good medicine, I beat the odds. Another student from Japan died from the complications of the same airborne, soil-based disease two years earlier.

A few instances of miraculous prayers

The prayer of Jabez

Jesus prayed and bread and fish multiplied

Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife. She bore him a son

King David prayed and God gave him wisdom to render justice in the case of two mother etc

If you want to tap into that secret weapon, start praying today. Buy a copy of Healing Words to get started.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 4:44 PM

Updated: Monday, 30 May 2005 7:47 PM

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Mood:  cool

Life's Affirming Cycle

Right on the other side of the bridge, a well-lighted motel 6 sign beckons tired visitors "We'll leave the light on for you!" We are in barn country. Owl boxes are at full occupancy this time of the year The are as many visitors as there are different types of raptors around here: snowy barn, screech, great horned, great gray owls In this part of the great California country, the rhythm of life continues uninterrupted. Planting seasons are followed by harvesting ones. The Summer heat that makes raisins out of grapes is a constant long after the Spring breeze is snuffed out.

Pellets around owl boxes

The breeze from the nearby river is infectious today It invites us to enjoy the newly-built backyard porch The kids are playing in the grass and sand box by the barbecue pit. No bees come to the flower bed Not far from the main house lie the vineyards and orchards The gorge of the two mountains lying in the background looks like the cleavage of a tall, vain and self-conscious tourist met on this tour We'll eat breakfast before we head out to commune with Mother Nature First we'll stop to visit the orphaned barn owls that are being cared for then we'll be guided to a few strategic owl boxes along the trail This is the rumble to the Summit, the hike to hell! Long live the burgeoning agribusiness of the Valley!

Farmers get unlikely help Lavoisier's Rule: "Nothing is lost." Farm Recycling The pellets prove that the resident owls have been working hard From the top of their boxes, they hiss and speed-dive in at the sight of their prey. They swallow them whole but can't digest their fur and bones. The compact pellets are produced by the owls' gizzards, a sophisticated and refined chemical plant We come face to face with the destructive works of gophers "Watch out for holes," yelled the tour guide. "This is gopher zone here!" These farmers have not used the cheapest gopher control method Barn owls work 365 nights a year. They are low maintenance too. Growers will soon be tired of baiting, trapping, fumigating and flooding Their fields are being torn up. Their crops are eaten right from the trees Owls use is at the basis of certified farming. No more polluting and use of expensive chemicals whose drift may sicken residents! No more infected carcasses for coyotes and birds of prey to feast on! Piles of dead gophers around the boxes will be convincing and show the new management tactics and ecological awareness.

The continuum of life and death takes its toll Great horned owls prey on barn owls too Like Spring flowers, these precious farming aides may disappear.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 4:37 PM

Updated: Wednesday, 25 January 2006 8:50 PM

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Pfizer's vice president of Marketing,
Peter Rost's Views on Drug Reimportation

First things first, we must define what we mean by "ethics." Ethics, a set of principles of right conduct or a system of moral values, is often summarized by this phrase, "doing what is right." It's Gardner and Burns (1978) who have stressed the centrality and importance of the moral dimension of leadership. Gardner said that leaders ultimately must be judged on the basis of a framework of values. (Values are defined as "constructs representing generalized behaviors or states of affairs that are considered by the individual to be important." A good example of the demonstration of ethical values would be the recent action by Pfizer vice president who broke ranks with the drug companies. He made his views known about the issues of drug reimportation at a lower cost to the consumer. In a letter to lawmakers, Charles Hardwick, senior vice president of governmental affairs at Pfizer, blasted Peter Rost, vice president for marketing at Pfizer. Mr. Rost had the courage to come forward with this information. He said that U.S. drug industry has misled the public by exaggerating the danger of imported drugs. Rost is a lone ranger who is taking on his own company, Pfizer, the manufacturer of Viagra, Zoloft and Lipitor. The drug makers quickly counter that reimportation would not lower prices and that consumers could be exposed to dangerous ineffective counterfeit drugs. If he wants to create a marketing buzz for Pfizer, Mr. Peter Rost has done just that. However, his days may be numbered at the giant pharmaceutical firm. Is it ethical to mislead the public about the "danger" of reimported drugs which tend to be cheaper and more affordable?

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 10:08 AM

Updated: Tuesday, 16 November 2004 4:51 PM

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Mood:  loud

South Beach and Atkins Dump on Twinkies

Which other companies are next to file for bankruptcy? Interstate Bakeries Corporation is the maker of lunchbox stables wonder Bread and Twinkies. The corporation has been going through a lot of hardship since U.S. consumers have been informed and aware of the consequences of a diet rich in low-protein and high carb. By filing chapter 11, the company hopes to restructure and continue to make more of those twinkies and breads. As long as the high-protein, low-carb diets are popular, Interstate Bakeries may not stand a chance.

Is it time that companies that create junk food come to the judgement table? Many of these companies did not realize what they were putting into the body of their favorite consumers. They were getting them so fat that they die of clogged arteries and other diseases. Twinkies, who is going to regret them? Now these companies are taking a second look at their line of products because their bottom line is suffering. A dark hole is being dug in the books. The comapny said it's going to continue to operate its bakeries, stores and distribution centers. Now if they change to a constant line of products that promotes health over profit, they'll see the profits. It's unfortunate that many of the employers who labored for many years may go without a job if there's a layoff.

Are the beverage companies going to go the Twinkies maker's way? Insterstate Bakeries suffers because more and more Americans are tired of the obesity epidemic. Too many fat kids are eating and drinking to . Too many calories in these "Big gulp" drinks. Too many large containers and French Fries are around. It's time for a return to home-cooked meals. It's time to eat simple and organic. It may be time we care about what goes inside our bodies. We tend to care more about what we wear, drive than what goes into our belly. U.S. consumers, scared by South Beach and Atkins are indicating their priority with their wallet. They are saying, "let's take a break with Twinkies and Wonder Breads." Insterstate Bakeries shareholders are seeing the values of their stock go down. It's an eye opener for all businesses.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 2:29 PM

Updated: Wednesday, 25 January 2006 8:51 PM

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Greece's Hotel Greca

Here are a few thoughts about this country and its people: HOTEL GRECA is continuing to give great service to folks who visit Athena. The morning manager and bookeeper is Yiannis. Every morning when I come down to the reception lobby he is playing card games on the computer (that is the only program that this computer has!) and he, of course is smoking. He can speak at least 5 languages-Greek, English, French, German, Spanish. He is a very kind person but has an intention tremour that makes his writing a bit difficult to read.

The afternoon manager is Spiro-a very happy fellow and a very expressive personality who is married and has one daughter, accountant, who was married for 2 years-no children. Spiro is very worried about her because she has indicated that she is afraid to attempt marriage again. He is very concerned about Thea Maria's health and advises her when he thinks she is too tired togo some place she is considering. Thoma is the night manager and he is married man with 3 children from 12-19. He spends lots of time with them when he is not playing tennis. He is a soft spoken man who hasan easy way about him.

Athena is the maid who cleans all of the room in HOTEL GRECA! She is Roumanian and her husband who is Russian was arrested yesterday because he was born in Russia and doesn't have the proper "papers." She has been making and receiving many phone calls trying to find an attorney who specializes in these affairs.

All 3 of the managers work 7 days per week and are all retired from previous jobs. Many people here retire at age 55to release their jobs for the youth. Most of the young people in their 20s have finished the University but there are no jobs available for them. Some of the people here are abupt in their manner because I believe that they suffer from sleep deprivation. Athens is a night city. People don't go to sleep until 2-3 am but they take an afternoon nap of about 2 hours.This would really be compatible with my body clock. I am able to stay up until midnight but not much later.

Last night was my first shift with the Paralympics. I worked from 4 until 8:30 welcoming people at the gate and then watch the dress rehearsal for the Opening Ceremonies-beautiful. I highly recommend watching it on TV. I hope it is carried in the U.S. There are 120 countries represented-the most that have ever attended the Parolympics which has been in existence for about 12 years. To make it more accessible to more people they did not ask for an entrance fee. The opening ceremonies are sold out! Because of the success of the Olympics I believe that more people will attend the Paralympics than they expected. Hopefully this will make up for some of the debt incurred because so many people didn't attend because of the fear propaganda especially in England and the USA.

Santorini was everything we had expected and then some. Our hotel with breakfast included was centrally located in the capitol city of Fira. Chris and I took a a 7 hour archeological tour of the island which is a volcano. There are hotels on the side of the volcano with magnificent views. The sunset into the sea is beautiful. The fresh fish is delicious. We met an iconographer working in the large church. He paints beautiful images of the saints. I took a dip into the sea at the red (iron causes the redness) beach. Wines are delicious. Many grapes and fig trees. Rai sins were drying on the ground. We attended a concert featuring a quartet from Prague. Flute, violin, cello and piano-many nice selections and they ended with excerts from Bernstein's WEST SIDE STORY." What a treat!!!

This was part of a series of summer concerts created by Athena Capodistriou, pianist.She was there and introduced the quartet. During intermission we were treated to cheese, wine and bread cubes. The catamaran ride was 5 hours to Santorini. Movies on board, gift shop and snack bar with crunchy delicious spanakopita (spinach & feta pie.) It is like a plane ride with stewardesses who are very helpful and polite.

More later.
Me polli agapi, Eleni

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 8:36 PM

Updated: Saturday, 23 October 2004 6:34 AM

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Mood:  happy

Yia sas olous (To everyone's health):
It has been some time since I wrote to you but my life has been a whirlwind of activity. Aaaaabout a week ago Chris and I were taken my Cousin Dr. Niko along with Stavros (Chris'attorney cousin from Maryland) to dinner and then to a dance party at the GENE KELLEY DANCE STUDIO. Niko's daughter married the owner of 5 of these dance studios-Aris. We met so many of their friends and participated in Latin American dances and Greek dances-what a ball I had! I even got to dance with some of the intructors.

I attended a performance of the National Athens Philharmonic orchestra and the 100 voice chorus performing CARMINA BURANA. I invited Thea Maria, Niko, his significant other-Mary, Costa and Fifi Athanassiadis. It was magnificent, performed at the ancient Herod Atticus Theatre.

We were in Limni, Evia, where my parents were born for 4 days. Our good friends,Costas and Fifi let us ride with them from Athena to Limni. Costas and Fifi and our friends from Fresno-Harry and Polly Costis also came to Limni to attend the Panigiri (annual festival celebrating the birth of Mother Mary).

Chris and I were privileged to stay with my lst cousin Tula and Arnold Prescott in their lovely home in Limni overlooking the thalassa (sea.) Tula's mother and my father were siblings. Tula and Arnold live in London most of the year but they have a home in Athena and one in Limni. "These people really know how to live life."

I met with the mayor of Limni as my lst cousin Sotiris Tagara, who was mayor of Limni 1975-77 insisted that themayor should meet me-LOCAL GIRL MADE GOOD. Then he took me to meet the local priest, Pappakosta. He is a very kind person and he took me in is car to show me where the town is building a facility for elderly folks. On the way he told me that he has 5 children-the 5th one has Down Syndrome born when his wife was 37 years old.

The child is now 12 and I saw him marching in the parade-litania through the streets of Limni-a procession that is held where the family who offered the largest donation (this year-1000 euros) were privileged to carry the icon in the procession.Tula and Arnold had us all over for a delicious brunch one day and the evening before we left to return to Athena my lst cousin, Niko Rotous hosted a delicious dinner for 16 of my relatives and Costa and Fifi in a wonderful fish restaurant just north fo Limni. We ate and ate and ate and sang and danced after dinner. Chris and I are now inSantorini. Will write more later.

Me polli agapi,
Eleni

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 10:03 PM

Updated: Thursday, 27 October 2005 2:21 PM

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Mood:  celebratory

This photo is of me with Chris' aunt's son- Dr. Nikos Tsopelas, ophthalmologist, in downtown Athens.

Me agapi, Eleni

Thanks.... for sending that news story to me and all of my and your friends. What an experience. The Greek are surprised that I would come all this way to volunteer to make their Games successful. Great PR for volunteerism which is really a new word in the Greek language.

I have an invitation to visit Brazil from a young man I met who is living at the hotel. You never know, some day. Eleni

Hi gang!

I'm getting into the routine now. I am scheduled to work 6-8 hours every day and have every 6th day off. I have 3 different shifts: 5 a.m. - 1 pm. or 11 am. - 6 pm or 5 pm. to 1 am. I must admit, though, that after arriving and checking in to get my lunch ticket, I wait for1-2 hours before I am assigned a specific duty. Today I helped at the West gate entrance, checking people's tickets to make sure they came on the right date and to the right venue. Then I helped them go through security. Our instructions are to be very polite and helpful. All of the volunteers are very nice to everyone. They check with me frequently to make sure I am not tired standing and they supply me with as much cold bottled water as I want.

The importantness of cleanliness is stressed. They are constantly cleaning, sweeping both manually and on small golf cart type devices with brushes that automatically clean. THere is this little cart that they drive that has 2 smiling faces on the front that says it makes people happy when the environment is clean.

Each day I receive a pamphlet: "HEALTH INFORMATIN FOR VISITORS TO GREECE" It has 3 sections: "Gastroenteritis-Traveler's diarrhea-foodborne diseases - "Airborne diseases" and "Sexually transmitted and bloodborne diseases." It is written in English and in Greek as are most pamphlets.

One I picked up yesterday was regarding what people should do when the temperature is very hot: Wear light colored loosse clothing made of cotton or linen, wear a hat with a large bill, wear sunglasses, Put on sun block at least an SPF of 15, drink water often, shower frequently with cool water, avoid alcohol.

Eleni

Sent in on 9-2-2004 by Eleni

Hi everyone! My enthusiasm has still not diminished one iota. On Sunday my shift was from noon to 5:30. Then I asked one of the Supers if I could help usher folks into the stadium. She said OK so "I was in!" What a wonderful experience-the sites were breath-taking, the Greek dancing and music were great! The extinguishing of the Olympic Torch, the speech by the Olympic committee chairman; all was great.

Then the volunteers and the performers had a party and what did they do? Dance Greek!!!! accompanied by the lute and drums. Now everything is settling back and I am anxiously awaiting for the start of the Paralympics on Sept. !9. 2 days ago I was invited by Dr. John and Sophia Evrigenis from Sacramento to spend a night with them at Loutraki a resort area 1 hour from Athens. Beautiful. Rode the bus down the brand new road with tunnels. Had a swim in the clear warm thallassa (sea).

Tonight I have been invited to a reception for Rip Kastaris at The ministry of Foreign Affairs.

See you... Eleni

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 9:54 PM

Updated: Saturday, 23 October 2004 6:37 AM

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