The Perils of Speaking

This morning’s run was more ambitious, not in kilometers but in territory covered. I set off at 7:45 a.m., heading up the mountain to Akritohori, then further up the mountain to Yameia, where I turned left and descended to the narrow passageways in the village of Kaplani. Then I followed the steep descent to Grizokambos, which is at sea level. This left me with the final steep ascent home, which is a character-building enterprise to say the least. I forget to turn off my watch when I stop to take photos, and my per-mile pace reflects that fact.

Vineyard a stone's throw away

Beyond the cypresses and olive groves

...a little house on the prairie

More on the perils of vocabulary

But for an accent or a single letter, many Greek words are similar. This is probably no different then other languages. So there are the obvious perils in boldly going where no non-native speaker has gone before. Here are just a few examples, in Greek, in English transliteration, in English translation, followed by a few examples of careless usage):

κλαινω / κλάνω (kleno / klano = to cry / to fart): “I was so happy I could xxxx.

γεμίσω / γαμίσω (yemiso / yamiso = to fill / to “copulate with” (note: the vernacular might be translated more severely): “Coud you please xxxx my tank with unleaded?”

τζατζίκι / τζατζίκια (tsatsiki / tsatsakia) = a yogurt condiment / crickets: “May I please have some xxxx to go with my bread?”

κουνούπια / κουνουπίδια (kouvoupia / kouvoupidia) = mosquitos / cauliflower: “Please bring me a bowl of steamed xxxx with a touch of olive oil and vinegar.

And the last, which receives the most applause, especially in a crowded taverna:

γημνάστρια / γημίστρια (yimnastria / yimnistria) = gym teacher or athletic trainer / nudist: “My daughter is working very hard at university, because she aspires to be a xxxx.”

The reply to latter is universally similar: “Why waste the money. Just bring her to the big beach.”

I shall continue to enlighten my multitude (ha!) of readers in the weeks to come.

Running with a camera

I often run with my shockproof/waterproof/freeze-heat-proof camera. Here are few photos from this morning’s run, a 12-kilometer circuit. I somehow astounded the old men sitting at my village cafeneion--passing them in one direction and returning in another. They said, "boy, you don't need a donkey!"

Long and winding road--with really big snakes crossing

Lykovounos (the "wolf mountain")

Entering Kaplani with running feet

Village house (Kaplani)

Can't get there from here

Leaving Kaplani--obviously

They see the light--photovoltaic systems power these mountain villages, whike DT sticks his head in the sand

Heading down the mountain, looking west toward Finikounda

Entering Grizokambos, our sister village