NEMEA - Highlights, History and Happiness
Yiasas!
The thought of encouraging, and in some cases persuading, 30 relatives to join me on a trip to our parents and grandparents birthplace could have been be a daunting proposition. In my case, I saw an opportunity to reunite and strengthen our familial bond and preserve our heritage during a destination wedding.
IT MUST BE DONE!
The day after my niece’s wedding in Corinth I set my sights on leading the wedding guests, my maternal relations, to the land of Hercules. Truth be told the effort was Herculean but the moment of arrival was a moment of profound human connection and identity.
Here are a few of the special places that were part of the Nemea voyage back to where it all began for all of us.
BAKALIKO
In Nemea, and of course all over Greece, one will find a bakaliko. A bakalaiko in today’s terms is a mini market.
The old small bakalikos or mini markets, were found in one’s neighborhood. This was a place to go and buy the essentials like produce, olive oil, some home cleaning products and things like condiments, teas and water. Essentially, a place to shop quick and easy for the basic necessities to keep the kitchen operating. The special and meaningful thing about a bakaliko is that when you stepped in, the owner knew you, your family and he or she would greet you by name. The friendly exchange was soul edifying and nourishing to be acknowledged on your stop to bakaliko. The brief conversation and warmth of a person who greeted you was a way of life and longevity. Did I ever tell you that my father Tasso owned and operated a small bakaliko in his village during his late 20’s? As fate would be, it was in front of my father’s bakaliko where he was taking a break outside and saw my mother pass by on a buggy. He winked at her and the rest is history.
THE ANCIENT STADIUM OF NEMEA
Each time I step foot on the dirt ground of the ancient stadium of Nemea, I feel the energy of the ancient Olympians and at the same time I am reminded of my deep and timeless roots.
Centuries ago, the most well trained and revered athletes from across Ancient Greece competed every two years in this stadium, and it was considered the highest honor for the competitors to represent their city state.
One of the four sacred sites of the Panhellenic Games, the ancient stadium in Nemea was built in the the 4th century BC, and could hold about 40,000 spectators. As I walked through the original vaulted athlete’s tunnel and ran on the ancient track I was reminded of the magnificent virtues that belong to my heritage and me.
TEMPLE OF ZEUS AT NEMEA
As a child you may remember reading about the Greek gods of mythology. Each god represented something different in life. Zeus was the king of the Greek gods, and doesn’t every God need a temple?
The Temple was awe inspiring with its 34 majestic Doric columns. Surprisingly enough; several have been carefully restored and it was surreal for me to stand in front of them.
DID YOU KNOW:
Kefi Life extra virgin olive oil is stored in a Doric style bottle. Get yours here!
The Temple of Zeus was the spiritual heart of the Nemea Games, where athletes honored Zeus before they went to compete close by at the ancient stadium.
MONASTERY OF PANAGIA TOU VRACHOU
A little secret about me; I love to visit monasteries whenever I travel to Greece. These spiritual havens are peaceful spaces and allow for quiet prayer and meditation. Usually I will find a monastery that is in the range of 1000 years plus. The traditions and stories of the saints found here are a reminder of their sacrifice and serving others, and how we too we must follow the lead.
The Monastery of Panagia tou Vrachou is nestled high in the mountains overlooking the Nemea valley. This particular monastery was an important one for me to visit during my pilgrimage home because of a miracle that happened to my mother’s brother Pete nearly a century ago.
My Theo Pete was born a deaf mute. His mother, my YiaYia Anastasia, took him at six years old to the Monastery of Panagia tou Vrachou to pray and ask for her son to be able to speak. At this place, my uncle received the great blessing and miracle to use his voice.
Decades later, and days prior to making my pilgrimage to the monastery, I learned that my dear friend Elena who was unable to conceive a child went and prayed to Mary here at the monastery numerous times, and she one day received the miracle of child birth.
Most importantly, The Monastery of Panagia tou Vrachou was a refuge for centuries to preserve the region’s Orthodox Christian heritage.
These four historical places we went to constitute the landscape of a birthplace which creates: EV-ZEEN: a life of well-being.
EUREKA: How could I ever experience and feel the depth of my roots clear across the world without leaving my home, if I opted to view the transatlantic excursion as a burden instead of a milestone?
Indeed, at the moment I decided to step out of my comfort zone and embark on the road less traveled I changed forever for the better. I return to the purpose of finding myself.
TAKEAWAY: Go out on a limb, put your fear to the side and seek the places that remind you who you are, then you’ll never be lost.
I wish you courage and love on your trip home.
May the Kefi be with you,
Filakia-kisses,
Kiki