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Italian-American Goes Greek: Interview with Patricia Volonakis Davis, Author of Harlot’s Sauce

8/19/2009

 
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You may have noticed by now that I have a love-hate relationship with Greece, one that I value immensely. Whenever I’m there I want to be here, and whenever I’m here I want to be there. If only there were some great books to transport me there. It isn’t that there aren’t books available about Greece, but most modern attempts fall short, way short. Foreigners just don’t get it, even when they live in Greece. They fall into two categories. There are those who love everything Greek, fantasize about everything Greek and ignore things like the 3:00am earthquake garbage collection or the bin of used toilet paper that stinks up the bathroom. And then there are those who thoroughly detest everything about Greece and Greeks (Why on earth, then, do they go there?).

This means that most books are disappointing, at least to me…since I know the real story. It is so rare that someone “gets Greece” that my expectations have fallen deplorably low. As a matter of fact, the last Greek book I read, which happened to be recommended by a trusted friend, was so hideous that I had to force myself to finish it. Even worse, only one out of every ten Greek words was correctly translated or accurately reflected its phonetic equivalent. Sorry, one of my pet peeves. The Greek language is so extraordinary that I feel like I’m the one suffering the rape, along with the Greek tongue.

So, you can only imagine my absolute joy when, after the first ten pages of Harlot’s Sauce, I was not feeling my usual arrogant disgust but actually marveling could it be true? Had I finally found a book that would not disappoint?

Patricia Volonakis Davis gets it. She gets Greece. She gets the Greeks. And she gets the arrogant foreigners. She gets all of it. What a joy! And, today, you are all in for a treat, because Patricia has actually agreed to share her brilliant insight into all things Greek with us!

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[Rebecca Elia] What about Greece/Greek life/living do you miss the most?

Patricia Volonakis Davis: The more relaxed pace, the endless sun, the family relationships, the political discussions, the food, the frappes, the taxi drivers driving by recklessly as you shout at them to stop for you, please. (Okay - I’m joking about that last one)

[Rebecca]  What is the single most important thing that a foreigner needs to know when traveling to Greece? when moving to Greece?

Patricia: Same thing you need to know and accept when you travel/move anywhere – you are not in your own place, so expect surprises in the food, habits, store hours, perspectives, etc. And when they occur, don’t sniff, “That’s not the way we do things at home.” If you want home, stay home.

[Rebecca] What “pearls” can we learn from the Greeks and their way of life?

Patricia: They value both children and education very highly, more than they do money or fame. I sure wish it were that way here.

[Rebecca] What can the Greeks learn from Americans and our way of life?

Patricia: Not to be so steeped in traditions that they drag you down like quicksand. If you’re not happy with the way government is, education is, your global position is (and many are not) allow them to change. Welcome some change, instead of viewing change as the end of “all things Greek”. Keep the 'good Greek things', and discard the things that, though they may be what you’re used to doing, are holding the country (and its youth) back.

[Rebecca] What are the most important things that your experience in Greece (including your relationships there) have given you, personally?

Patricia:  The idea that a life ─a simple life, can be lived so passionately and regally. For example, in Greece, a person who is “only a mom” is as revered for what she does as is a priest or a doctor. People don’t have to multi-task, or be financially successful, politically powerful, in order to earn respect or to be considered crucially important to Greek society.

[Rebecca] Do you have any other Greek projects in the works?

Patricia: Yes! Right now, we are working on podcasting a number of chapters of Harlot’s Sauce, with actors, Greek music, the whole works! I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be terrific fun!

[Rebecca] Thank you Patricia!

Patricia: THANK YOU, Rebecca! I so enjoyed this interview!

 
So, if you haven’t read Harlot’s Sauce yet, you’re in for a treat! And for those of you who have, hurry over to Amazon.com and post a review of her book there or on your website to be entered into a drawing for dinner for two at your fave Italian or Greek restaurant!

For more information about Patricia please go to her website at: www.patriciavdavis.com

You can also follow her on Twitter: @HarlotsSauce

Greece Prep 101

8/15/2009

 
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Don't expect this


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Expect this

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If you’re traveling to Greece from the United States or one of the many “civilized” European countries, you may be surprised by unique, independent Greece. Although Greece has been accepted into the EEC, to assume that Greece is like any other European country will, alas, leave you grossly unprepared.


But, don’t worry. I’ve put together a brief list of helpful preps for your next trip. It’s best to give yourself plenty of time—some recommendations require three to five years to be effective—so read this list early. Oh, and, WARNING: many of these recommendations are, indeed, hazardous to your health, but, hey, your trip to Greece will be so much more enjoyable:

1.   Noise Pollution—Greece is the poster-child for pollution, all types of pollution. The EEC has published noise standards for all of Europe, and Athens fails these standards, miserably. Combine screams, traffic, horns and the 3am garbage collections from hell, and you’re well above the decibel limit. At one point I contemplated whether or not all the yelling that goes on is because everyone is deaf.  But don’t worry, we have a plan. Take your iPod ear buds, place them in your ears, and over the next four weeks gradually increase the volume until close to max. (This will most definitely destroy your hearing, but will come in quite handy when in Greece-as you will be yelling as loudly and effortlessly as the rest of the population.

2.  Nefos (air pollution)—move to Los Angeles or next to a coal plant approximately three to five years before your first Grecian trip. If neither of these is possible, then move to that town in China where our used computer parts go—yes, the one with the green water where everyone is dying of cancer.

3.  Lower your time expectations--Purposely stand in very long crowded lines that do not move for hours. The only difference in Greece is, well, there are no lines.

4.  Conversely, avoid standing in lines; practice elbowing your way to the front of every crowd, especially if you are elbowing older pushy women out of the way.

5.  Cigarette smoke—If you aren’t already smoking or breathing in second-hand-smoke on a daily basis—what are you waiting for?

6.  Prepare to stop for goats—not sure where or how you would practice this. Suggestions, anyone?

7.  Do not telephone anyone or conduct any business between the hours of 3pm and 7pm.

8.  Skip breakfast, unless it’s coffee and a cigarette, and eat lunch and dinner later—at 2pm and 10pm. Start napping mid-day and staying up ‘til at least 2am. When you do fall asleep between 2am and 4pm, make sure an extremely loud noise, such as a crowing rooster, or an earthquake wakes you up approximately 1-2 hrs after you have fallen asleep—or as soon as you’ve entered REM stage.

9.   Practice sitting as close as you can to the people dining next to you—and standing as close as you can to the strangers next to you--without actually touching them.

10.   Practice saying, “Ooh-hee! Then say thel-loh (No! I don’t want you)” as you click your tongue and jerk your head up. And “Ooh-hee! Then sah-gah-poe (No! I don’t love you).”

11.   Withdraw all of your money from the bank in cash and store it under your mattress (just in case the banks strike for the next two months).

If you successfully complete all of the above, you will have a fighting chance of truly enjoying your Greek experience. Good luck, and remember, no physician in their right mind would suggest #1, #2, #5 or #8.



***For those of you who made it to the bottom of the post without a migraine, I  apologize for the cut-off left margin. I have reported it to the Weebly police, and, hopefully, it will be corrected soon. Now, please excuse me while I take a Maxalt.
I can't believe it! When I went to post this apology the left-hand margin reappeared!

     

     
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    Recommended Links

    Global Greek World: For a bit of everything Greek!

    Girls Trek Too: Travel info for women

    Matt Barrett's Greece Travel Guide: On-line travel guide

    Taksidi2Greece: More info about Greek travel + more

    Living in Greece: Info about living in Greece by an American

    Breathtaking Athens: Official Athens Visitors' Website

    The Athens Centre: Learn Greek in Athens

    Kathimerini: Greek News

    Acropole Delphi: My fave Delphi hotel
    Views from the balcony:
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    Greek Food Faves:
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    Sam Sotiropoulos' site
     
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    Barbayanni

    French Lovers: If you love France as much as I love Greece then you'll also love Misadventures with Andi 

     

    Recommended Books

    Henry Miller: The Colossus of Maroussi

    Lawrence Durrell: The Greek Islands

    Cavafy's Poems, of course!

    Yannis Ritsos: The Fourth Dimension (I love Moonlight Sonata)

    Patrica Volonakis Davis: Harlot's Sauce

    Culinaria GREECE
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    My Life in Ruins-Athens,Delphi and Olympia
     

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