Winter paradise
The sign at the entrance of the village seemed like a joke.
Μεγάλο χωριό
It means Big Village in Greek, a rather inappropriate name for a settlement that houses hardly a couple of hundred people. It was already three o'clock in the noon, I was hungry, tired and not in the mood for jokes.
Why did the magazine send me to this godforsaken place?
I had the (bad?) habit, never to read in advance about the places I was visiting. Didn't want to spoil the surprise of a brand new experience!
Not very professional, on my behalf, but I was always traveling with a colleague reporter, to cover my back and to let me be as amazed and as surprised I would like, in every single destination :)
The scenery didn't disappointed me. Not at all. Up in the mountains, among a wonderful fir forest, it compensated me for all the driving in the narrow, serpentine roads (if you have driven in Greece, you know what I am talking about). But I wasn't expecting much more.
I was wrong!
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Apparently this is not one of the many villages that are decaying in negligence, all over the countryside. The fairy of tourism has touched it with her magic wand and it has been transformed into a popular destination! And wherever there are visitors there are stores! With many cute and preferably useless items that they exist just to be beautiful and to lighten your wallet :)
But also places to fill your belly and fulfil all your needs for food, drink or just a cozy warm space to rest! It was November, it was cold and I was in a winter paradise :)
Either the old renovated houses or the new buildings, they all seemed very well taken cared of and in alignment with the natural scenery!
The dusk found me walking around with my tripod doing the job I was paid to do but also wondering if I landed in a fairy-tale! Which is, by the way, the name of the last shop I visited!
This post is written for the #MarketFriday initiative by @dswigle and I want to thank Denise for giving me the excuse (when I don't have something newer to share) to dig into my archive and my memories and make her beautiful challenge, sort of a memoir of my travels as a magazine photographer :)
Thank you for reading and if you want to know more about me you can check out my introduction post.
Commenting, upvoting and rebloging are highly appreciated!
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What a discovery and isn’t it great when having such low expectations you are taken by surprise. You’ve put this place on my map!
!PIZZA
Yes, it is definitely better not to expect much and have a pleasant surprise than knowing in advance every detail :)
Thanks!
$PIZZA slices delivered:
@nicklewis(1/10) tipped @fotostef
Nice and cozy looking indeed. thank you.
Just the right words to describe it!
Thank you for stopping by :)
Looks like a lovely little place. I'm curious, how'd you get into doing magazine work? Wouldn't mind doing a bit of that myself but haven't the faintest notion of how.
Those narrow, serpentine roads, do they twist and turn while going up and down hills, with blind curves and drop-offs for entertainment? I've never been to Greece but I grew up in the Appalachian Mountains and that description just reminded me of the roads back home.
I found the job through an ad. But it was many years ago. I don't think anyone is hiring any more. If I wanted to try again I would check all the magazines that I like, see if they use photographers or just stock images and tried to contact them. But I know that, at least in Greece, the golden era for photography is over!
Yes, you know the roads that I am talking about :)
The Appalachian Mountains keep turning up in front of me, in various internet interactions! I think I would love them, if I ever visit :)
Oh I love that fairy shop, my girls would really love it to.
The town sure has a lot if character, glad that it was a lovely surprise after all xxxxxx
Even myself, that I don't fall easily for that kind of stuff, I have to admit that there are some pretty lovely items in there!
I love pleasant surprises :)
Yay! 🤗
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Thank you very much @ecency and @coloneljethro for your support, much appreciated!
not sure how your posts are ranking on search for places in Greece but they are great in talking about places that are not seen by everyone.
I like them more :)
I can only imagine having your job and letting the art of surprise be your partner! Perhaps it was meant to be a big town and somehow failed at the task. But, not really, it has all the makings of something big! What a surprise this is, the simple life in so many ways, but, filled with charm and character! It it memorable, but, I fail at something memorable to describe it. So many different mountain ranges set the stage for winding passages, alleys, and roads.
I find it interesting the way the structures fit into the landscape, stone on the bottom of the house or building, deep, wide window sashes, and balconies, overlooking the road. It is in all the details of the houses that catch my eye, little things that make it stand out to me, even the angle of incline and how the houses fit in like a jigsaw. The shops welcome you in, the restaurants and pubs beckon you with the delicious aroma they put out, and the welcome is warm and inviting. Such an amazing country, who doesn't want to stay there for a while!!! I love when you go back! I love when you go forward! There is no wrong with a post from Stefano! @fotostef
#MarketFriday began as a way to reach out across the globe and learn about different cultures through their markets, especially local markets and farmers' markets, and eventually branched out and evolved over time from straight shopping to a cultural affair as it highlights how we differ and then again, how much we are alike. We have become a melting pot of culture, but it is still the Rituals, Festivals, food, architecture, and even your language/languages that separate us... Along with the fact that these things are normal for us. There are unwritten rules that rule our social behaviors. I see this as allowing for increased tolerance between cultures and nations, and opportunities to come together on an even playing ground. A strong culture can be beneficial to a country as it promotes unity, especially during a crisis, peaceful debate, and open dialogue. I have learned so much about all of you and it has been an amazing experience. I can only hope that learning about each other can help us work together for a peaceful world.
Thank you for being a part of #MarketFriday
I love when you go back! I love when you go forward! There is no wrong with a post from Stefano! @fotostef
Thank you so much for one more epic comment and for the tip :)
Cheers :)