Monday, August 29, 2011

Της γριάς το πήδημα, Old lady's jump


A few, or not so few, days ago I had promised to tell a bit more about the Gria (old lady) and the castle .

So, the Gria's castle, formally Ano Kastro (Upper castle) was built during the Venetian era of the island. Not much is known about its history, as archaeologists are somehow more fascinated by the ancient Greek history than the medieval one. However some excavations were held recently (2009). What remains today is a small but very important, for the residents of the nearby Kochylou village and the whole island, chapel of Phaneromeni (Our lady "the uncovered" / better translation welcome!). The chapel is celebrated twice a year on the day of the Assumption and the first Tuesday after Easter.

But how is all that related to the scenery in today's photo? And who is the "Gria"?

One of the many legends has it, that the Gria pretended to ask a refuge in the castle during its siege by Pirates (or Turks), but in fact she betrayed it and when the defenders opened the door, the siegers had the chance to enter and occupy it. After that, the Gria felt guilty and committed suicide by jumping in the sea in a nearby small bay.  Her body became the large rock that you can see in today's photo. The bay is now known as "Tis grias to pidima" (Της γριάς το πήδημα, The old lady's jump) and is probably the most famous beach of Korthi area. Partly because of its funny name, partly because it is one of the most beautiful beaches with this rare geological phenomenon.

Other legends about the name of the bay:
2) The Gria had a daughter who was kidnapped by the pirates and she committed suicide out of sadness
3) The Gria was in love with a sailor who didn't return, and she lost all hope.

(If you know any other legends please write it in the comments!)

PG13 alert --- implied sexuality ----

In greek the word "pidima" except for the original meaning of jump is also used as an euphemism for the sexual act. Which obviously makes the name of the bay far more funny. It makes me think that the sailor from legend no 3, finally returned.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Feldmochinger fly


Where the telescope ends, the microscope begins. Which of the two has the grander view?  Hugo, Victor

I first saw this quotation in D's Thesis. Micro and Telescope share the same principles of operation. And both observe the universe, one giving the big picture, the other the details.

Just like the physicists. They work on different scales. Cosmologists, astrophysicists, planetary-environmental-geophysicists , materials scientists, nuclear physicists, and then there are those high energy particles physicists to complete the circle.

You have already seen our "telescope" image. Here is a "microscope" one. Both taken with the same tele-lens.

The other day we swam in Feldmochinger See (lake), close to Munich. And spotted this creepy but at the same time colourful and beautiful fly having her lunch.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Is it a good sign?


Spotted on the City Night Line from Paris to Munich.

My question is the following: if a drunk person sees things being distorted, could he see this distorted sign as normal?

I guess we'll have to do the experiment! Where is a drunk travel-mate when you need him the most?

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Now grias kastro


The Virgin's chapel close to the medieval castle overlooking Joyfully Kochylou(*) village. Tonight we observe the vespers for tomorrow's celebration. More on the kastro (castle) and the gria (old lady) to follow.

edit: More on the castro and the gria, and also her beach may be found in this post.

(*) btw SE xperia X8 has a great auto correct feature, I think I should get used to it. Until then, "Kochylou" will be automatically corrected to "Joyfully". This alternative is rather appropriate, but it was not in my mind when I wrote the post.
One more thing about X8. Its camera has no autofocus, not even manual focus... which is bad.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Now the plane and the full moon



I feel extremely lucky tonight! I welcome you to enjoy the full moon from my balcony.



p.s. Best spent money of the last year

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Monday, August 8, 2011

Follow...


Spotted in Montmartre.

There are many reasons that make Paris the amazing city that it is.
One of them being the cool streetart. Stay tuned for more!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Now Platanos (?) Beach.



We headed to a beach named Platanos. After some wandering off road I am not really sure we are there. Anyway, it is a great small bay!