It's been over a week since I got home from Greece and haven't posted because I've been laid up on diazapam for an acute muscle spasm in my back... But, here it is, at long last, the Greek post!
The flight out was long as I landed in Athens at 2:30 am Greek time (12:30 for me) and had to wait until 6:30 for my flight to Mytilene. Good think Ranya met me at the airport around 4:00.
I slept through the entire 45 minute flight to the island and when I woke up Ranya's fiancee Panos was there to meet us. It took us most of the morning to meander our way to Hrussos, our home for the two weeks I was there. His parents have a newly finished house right on the beach. I'd been to Hrussos on my 2004 visit to the island, but the house was nothing but a concrete shell the last time I saw it.
Hrussos in 2004
The same view in 2008
From our houseWhen we arrived we had seven days before the wedding to get everything organised and ready to go. There had been a lot of planning done, but this was the crunch and we had a lot of work. I still got to spend a few hours a day sunning myself on the beach, but we spent a lot of time driving around doing things like organising food, decorations, cakes etc...
Molyvos, Lesvos, GreeceWe went out to Eressos a couple of times and visited Molyvos for a night, but most of our time was spent on Hrussos, one of the last little known beaches on the island.
Finally the day of the wedding came and it seemed like we'd never get everything done, but we did.
The venue
Pretty tableThe ceremony was at Panos' uncle's house in Pothara, a few beaches over from Hrussos. The house sits on a cliff overlooking the beach and the sea. They've got it set up perfectly for events like this one as there is a large covered structure outside and a big open area for dancing and drinking. Too bad the pool was still being built! The house itself has six self-contained flats which worked out well for people to stay over. Though there were only a few that had that privilege (myself included).
Milling about before the ceremony.
The happy couple with his parents and the best guys and galsThe actual ceremony was on the edge of the cliff overlooking the sea, was short and sweet and all in Greek. Ranya looked beautiful - just like a blushing bride should!
The vows
The kiss
Signing papers makes it official.After the official stuff was over with the party started and dinner was served - lamb, chicken, salads, bread, wine, veggies... and of course, cake, which was amazing!
The cake
The champagne glasses tied togetherAfter dinner the DJ started pumping out the tunes, the bar opened and the rest, as they say, is history! and rather blurry for me... good thing I took pictures.
The first dance
The Greek dancing (only a few songs)The day after the wedding was spent nursing hangovers and cleaning the house from the party - which took literally more than a day. I have never seen so many dishes in my life!
After the cleaning we were able to relax and enjoy the beach and the house in Hrussos for another few days before I headed back to the land of tupperware. My tan is/wasn't nearly as nice as the one I got in Thailand but I didn't havea base coat to start with and not nearly as much time in the sun... but it's nice to be browner than the Brits!
And here are some of my better random photos...
At the beach
Fresh grapes
The best mojito in Eressos
Dolphins?
Walking barefoot
lovers
Perfect timing?
Worshiping the moon
service?
Fresh octopus 
Last view of Molyvos for a whileI love Greece. Every time I leave I cry. I have post-Greece-come-down for ages. I always wish I had stayed longer and this time was no exception. At least I have a place to go whenever I want to now, which is bound to be every summer for the rest of my life! Unless I find myself a nice Greek husband and can just go live there all the time! Maybe it should be my next destination?!?! hmmm...
Upon coming home I finally moved into my new flat - pictures to come - which I love and is beautiful and clean with three very nice flatmates. Unfortunately four days after moving in my back went into spasm and I have been stoned on diazapam (muscle relaxants) for the last four days. This also means I haven't been to work.
Tomorrow is my birthday and Kat is stopping by in London on her way back to Korea for a third contract. I'm finally starting to feel a better... hopefully it lasts and I don't make it worse again.
In other news, I will finally be in Canada on September 19th as I have my appointment at the British High Commission on the 22nd. I'll be doing something big in Montreal on the 27th... so if you haven't been invited on the facebook event, let me know!!
Hope that's enough for now! More posting about the adventures of Liz and Kat once she's safely on her way back the big K!
