We would like to wish everyone in Arillas a Very Happy Easter and hope you all enjoy wonderful celebrations over the weekend.
Special wishes and love to Bebis Kourkoulos for his first Easter!
Fiona and Roy
We echo that, Fiona. Jen and me wish all our friends in Arillas a very happy Easter, a wonderful weekend celebration and the best season ever.
And a special greeting to the two forum babies who are 100% made in Arillas and are having their first time! For Gotty & Liz and Dimitris & Litsa, special wishes.
Phil and Jenny
On the Thursday before Easter I was in Corfu Town and saw lots of lovely bright red pots for sale in the streets.....thought one would look good at the house but was told these are the pots that are thown from the roof tops on Saturday morning to celebrate Easter! We decided against Corfu Town on the Saturday, where most of the action seems to take place, as although my father is fairly robust, I didn't think he could cope with the crowds and I was worried we may have to walk miles from wherever we could park the car....another time....
Instead we went up to the church in Arillas on the Saturday evening. We were told the service started at 11pm so like good British tourists we arrived at 1055 to find the place deserted. Had we got the wrong day?? Then I spotted Dennis (owner of Perry and Jimmy's behind the Rainbow) who turned out to be a leading light in the church and one of the main singers....dark horse that one. He assured me it would all be happening soon so we went into the church where about 6 people were assembled. A few more trickled in, all carrying long candles of different colours, which I had seen on sale in all the shops. (Also saw lots of Kalo Paska painted on the streets, and some special lights in some of the villages....)
At about 1130, four men started to sing (no music) and this went on for about 25 minutes (sorry....didn't understand any of it) during which time a steady flow of people came through the door. Everyone chattered to each other throughout. I recognised a lot of local people from Arillas, all very smartly dressed in suits and the women in high heels and stylish outfits. I had to hide behind a pillar in my jeans and trainers......We noticed lots of the men seemed to be gathering at the front and there were several priests who all looked very busy. Candle holders were handed round (giant versions of the ones we put on birthday cakes) and suddnely there was a flame at the front of the church, all the men seemed to rush to light their candles and then they went round lighting everyone elses. So suddnely the church was aglow with candlelight. After a few more words, a procession started and evryone went out of the churh into the square and the procession went round the church about three times. By now it was midnight and I was waiting for people to shout "Kristos aneste....alithos aneste"....Christ is risen,truly risen.....I had been practising all afternoon but must have missed the cue because it passed me by!
There was a wonderful warm atmosphere in the square with a huge crowd and everyone hugging each other and for days people were saying Kronia polla all the time. Then the priest indicated that the service was moving back into the church and would continue till 1am. However, only the stalwarts remained (I wasn't one I'm afraid). Most people just made their way back down into the village. The Brouklis family was there (minus Bebis) and even Babis had come home to be with his mum for Easter, looking very distinguished in his suit (a change from those tight red swimming trunks.....)
Although it was all very informal it was clearly a very special occasion for everyone and I felt honoured that everyone made us feel so welcome....another Arillas memory for me.
Next day we went for a drive, and as we went through the villages there were lambs roasting on spits everywhere and families having big gatherings in their gardens.....I dread to think how many lambs were cooked that day!
Hi Sandy
That was a wonderful description of the church service. I could picture it in my head as I read it, and I would love to have the same experience and spend an Easter in Arillas.
Thanks, Sandy. It was almost my own Easter experience as Terry said.
One day soon it will be real...
Phil
Quote from: justphil on April 25, 2008, 02:28:15 AM
And a special greeting to the two forum babies who are 100% made in Arillas and are having their first time! For Gotty & Liz and Dimitris & Litsa, special wishes.
Thanks phil
Thank you, Sandy, for such a wonderful description! I wish we'd been there.....
Janis x
Did anyone notice that was 2008? I am so glad that 3 years haven't changed one little bit of how people feel about Arillas at Easter. I remembered reading it then, but it could apply just the same today.
Now that's saved Sandy bothering with a report when she comes abroad, back to the UK.....
Phil
Phil
OMG! I didn't notice that it was 2008 - thanks for pointing it out, Phil! I got carried away, enjoying Sandy's description of Easter in Arillas.
I feel a bit of an idiot now - you can deleted posts on FB....
Ah well - I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter - in Arillas and everywhere else - and look forward to being back there very soon!
Three weeks today........
Janis x
Janis meluvver, this ressurection has shown just how much we have all changed over these last few years. Sandy has nearly become a resident, Maggie and Gordon have become fully paid up residents and Egg and Wegg have survived. GOODONTHEMALL!
Three years is a long time. The tone has changed too. People are struggling with prices of stuff, but in the end we will all keep our Arilliac lives.
Phil
Don't fret Janis, Gotty and Liz made the first mistake,you just followed all the lovely posts.
Val x
Pe Gottero and his lovely wife Liz usually stay with Kostas at the top of the Hill, between Arillas and San Stefanos. If they made a mistake it was drinking the water (lol - just read earlier posts!) Little Fillipo was 100% an Arillas baby, just like Jozef and Maria's Timea. Let there be many more!
There is such an archive to read on this website. Try trawling through Tell us your story.... I've read them all, but then I'm mad, or so they keep telling me. Roll on July when I can forget about the website and be there for real.
Phil
Like you Phil.... I too spend hours reading old posts, makes me feel I know people better,even when I've never (yet) met most them.
Best Wishes friend,love to Jen
Val x
Don't worry, Janis, it's SO easily done! Especially when someone else has just revived it...
lynn xx
Thanks for your support - BUT I enjoyed Sandy's post but obviously didn't read the content properly... I was focusing on the Easter part of it but not the people/baby part - that really should have given the game away!
Ah well, tail between legs I slink off... (Not really, lol)
Janis x
Although it was a long time ago, Sandy's report on Easter reminds Ann and I of our trip to Corfu for the wedding of Dimiti and Vasoo of the Rainbow back in 2000 or maybe 2001, cant quite remember. Any way it was as Sandy described but far busier as we went up to the church at the top of Avloites and were accompanied by all of the Anthis family and friends plus Vasoo' family and friends for the Saturday night service. Apart from being much busier than the one in Affionnas it had the additional factors of:
Parading the effigy of St spiro (sorry cant spell the full name) around the church three time and at the end of the parade the throwing of many sticks of DYNAMITE!!!. Frightened the life out of us as no one had warned us what was going to happen. Still a great occasion and when I Queried the tremndously loud bangs was told " OH THEY JUST LIGHT DYNAMITE AND THROW IT IN THE AIR. When I said wasn't that quite dangerous I was told "oh not really but we do have many people up here with a few fingers missing" Hows that for Corfiot humour?
JohnJ
Sounds good John....
Well, I did the trip up to the church again this year on the Saturday evening and the report still stands....except that this time young Spiros was there with his mum and dad! It's a wonderful atmosphere but it always amazes me how they chat all through the service whereas my memories of church here as a child are that it was all deadly serious and you had to sit still and silent. I also forgot to mention last time the fireworks that they light just after midnight....fantastic.
Jen and I would so have loved to have been there, especially now the Kourkoulos family were there together as little Spiros is growing up. He is a gorgeous little Greek boy.
Told you all that Sandy would be saved from writing a report! My instincts told me it would "still stand!" I am so glad that it worked out that way.
Not sure about the dynamite though. Fireworks are one thing but.... still wish we'd been there.
Phil
Hi Sandy,
have to agree with you about all the talking during the church service. It was just the same at Dimitri's wedding and people even wandered in and out of the church during the sevice for a smoke!!!
JohnJ
Hi John, What amazed me about Dimitris & Litsa's wedding was the way my Pete was allowed to wander around to take the photo's even into the pulpit and at one time between the papas and the couple to take a close up of the ring on Litsa's finger and then the way he was asked to go into the private room to take some more. I loved it all and the ways the children gave the rice out and then came and asked us if they could have any left so they could throw some more, that really amuzed me. Viv
Yes VIV it all sounds exactly like Dimitri's (Rainbow) wedding and we could not get over how hard they throw the rice. It really stung, but all good fun and great traditions.
JohnJ
Yes I was reminded ho hard they trow the rice was when Pete and I had our blessing in May 1009, had it everywhere and a piece was in my hair for 24hrs (even tough I had combed it)lol. Viv
Quote from: justphil on April 30, 2011, 08:25:20 PM
Pe Gottero and his lovely wife Liz usually stay with Kostas at the top of the Hill, between Arillas and San Stefanos. If they made a mistake it was drinking the water (lol - just read earlier posts!) Little Fillipo was 100% an Arillas baby, just like Jozef and Maria's Timea. Let there be many more!
There is such an archive to read on this website. Try trawling through Tell us your story.... I've read them all, but then I'm mad, or so they keep telling me. Roll on July when I can forget about the website and be there for real.
Phil
Holy Words
I know these are old post but like several of you I love going over them every now and again, especially this one as Pete and I will be in Alillas for Easter 2013. Love Viv.
PS Sandy and Elieen, if you think of anything else we should know like boiling red eggs and when please e-mail me or send pm Love to you both Viv & Pete
No we wont we will be in Arillas.lol. Vivx
Quote from: vivian on June 10, 2012, 01:05:27 PM
I know these are old post but like several of you I love going over them every now and again, especially this one as Pete and I will be in Alillas for Easter 2013. Love Viv.
PS Sandy and Elieen, if you think of anything else we should know like boiling red eggs and when please e-mail me or send pm Love to you both Viv & Pete
Hi Viv we also will be in Arillas for Easter 2013...never been at Easter before.....same old faces ..haHa..
I'll be there for Easter 2013 so look forward to seeing you and Viv then....
How funny that kath & kes will be there we are both normaly later. Thought you would be Sandy but didnt think their would be many that we know apart from the locals. Love Viv.
So wish we could join you viv, Sandy, kes & Kath. Easter is such a special time there. I think it is very late this year, almost into the season. From what I've read it is in early May. Was very surprised, so please correct me if this is wrong - I love to follow it all.
Sadly, if I give up the job I can't afford to come, and if I keep it I can't come anyway. Only 5 years to wait. Will seem like a lifetime. Something will change before then.
Phil
Yes Phil, it is late next year. Beginning of May.....Thought you'd retired once!!
Ha Ha Sandy meluvver! Ask Norwich Union about pension schemes and justphil.... At least I am only part time now. Had I stayed in the company scheme I was in, Jen and I would be living in Arillas by now. But I got "bought out" and am living in Somerset to regret it. They acknowledged it a few years ago and doubled the fund more or less, but I am locked in till I'm 65. It will be the 70th that we share at Brouklis.....
loveandhugs
Phil
Might start a trend for Easter in Arillas..May 5th I think next year.Over the past few years the seaon has got shorter.I remember our first holiday in Arillas was 1991 .we arrived on the 1st of May..and most of the tavernas were open..Its slowly crept to June before the season starts proper..So come on lets see more going earlier and maybe encourage them to open..
Correction... should have been 2001 not 1991 wishfull thinking..
kes, get yer act together. What's next though?
I agree so much. Easter could see the businesses in Arillas get so much new money. With half a chance I'd be there anyway, but the new folks would get bitten by the Arillas bug and return time after time.
Yous and Kath enjoy your new situation. And get the first prize on the Easter Arillas trail..... (information on request)
Phil
Well we did the Arillas trail in June..just needed a few cool boxes hidden along the way with some nice cool Methos inside..instead we had to drink the warm methos we took with us..So Phil whats the Suprise?
Ha ha kes. Not a "surprise" but a prize. The first prize is a free ticket to my lecture to be delivered at Rainbow in Arillas on November 2, "The joys of North West Corfu." The booby prize is two free tickets.....
The cash alternative is a Metaxa 7* in Marvel.... Have a slight idea which you will choose!
Phil
Easter Sundays is 5th May, we will be home before then. Sandy, kes and Kath what dates do you arrive? Loe Vivxx
The good news for anyone who likes to plan ahead is that in 2014 UK & Greek Easter Sunday fall on the same date...April 20th
Hopefully Easyjet and Ryanair will still be flying to Corfu in 2014...a good way to use the Good Friday and Easter Monday public holidays...a nice long weekend in Corfu :-)
(and for anyone who likes to plan extremely well in advance...they again fall on the same date on April 16th 2017)
Eileen.xxx
Viv, I am there (hopefully with my dad) from 22 April to 14 May so will no doubt see you there at ome point xx