imes - June 2011 - CIC

CICCommunity
Charity
Cretan International Community
June 2011
CIC T - imes June 2011
The RED ARROWS
return to commemorate The Battle of Crete
Inside this Issue
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Battle of Crete Crossword Comp WordWeavers Medical
KIFAAMEA Red Cross Flowers Messages .....and finally!

This month’s CIC
Board
Board
of
of
Directors
Directors
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Debra Papadinoff
Albert President van Elst
President president@thecic.eu
president@thecic.eu
6938-639823
6983-265715
Mariette Georgiadis
Anna Capernaros
Vice
Vice
President
President
vicepresident@thecic.eu
6938-708410
6936-326606
Anne Jeanne Borghgraef Jeffries
Treasurer Secretary
treasurer@thecic.eu
secretary@thecic.eu
6979-985909
Jayne Juster
Secretary
Anna Capernaros
secretary@thecic.eu
Treasurer
treasurer@thecic.eu
Sibylle Anastasia O’Rourke
Membership
6938-708410
members@thecic.eu
6978-545096
Sibylle Anastasia O’Rourke
Membership
members@thecic.eu
6978-545096
Non Board
Administrators
Web Administrator
Andy Davies
webadmin@thecic.eu
Advertising Manager
Line Editor/Proof-reading
Debra Papadinoff
cictimesads@thecic.eu
Editorial/Layout/Production
Harvey Smith
editor@thecic.eu
This month’s CIC
The Cretan International Community
of Hania was established in 1989
as a support group for people of all
nationalities living in Western Crete .
Thanks to this month’s contributors:
Robert Bruce, Michael, Bakx, Carol Janet, Eley, Mollie, Albert Van Vassilias, Elst,
Vassilias The Wanderer, Albert, Viv, Bob, Linda,
Maria, Avaaz and board members.
To Advertise in the CIC:
Advertising space, free business listings
and classifieds are all available. Please
turn to page 24 for full details or ring
tel: 6938 639823 or email: cictimesads@
thecic.eu
CIC Membership
If you have recently moved to Crete, the
CIC is a great way of making new friends
and contacts and finding help and
advice. To find out more, please contact
Sibylle Anastasia O’Rourke by email:
members@thecic.eu or tel: 6978-545096
Submissions:
We are always keen to receive
suggestions, letters, regular articles,
photographs relating to Crete from our
members. Please contact our editor, by
email: editor@thecic.eu.
The CIC Times is a publication of the
Cretan International Community.
It is published monthly on our website.
www.thecic.eu
The Cretan International
Community Board Members
and the CIC Times staff cannot accept
any responsibility for opinions expressed
by individual contributions to the CIC
Times, and we neither endorse nor agree
with any of the statements or opinions
expressed
The Cretan International
Community is a non-profit
organization and was established as
a support group for people living in
Crete. The organization is managed
by a 5-member Board of Directors,
Administrators and Volunteers.
Newsletter Design
Cathryn Stefanopoulos
Charity Committee
John Ford
charity@thecic.eu
Address: Cretan International
Community, Daskaloyianni 46,
73100, Chania, Crete
Emergency Services Numbers in Crete
Police: 100
Fire Brigade: 199
Ambulance: 166
Tourist Police (Chania): 28210 73333
Tourist Police (Heraklion): 28102 83190
Tourist Police (Rethymnon): 28310 53450/28215
European Emergency Number: 112
2
Website: www.thecic.eu
FEBRUARY 2010

June 2011
Contents
••••••••••••
A Short Note From Our President.....
The Rudder
HAS turned!
The C.I.C is growing again, slowly but steadily new
members join us, and old members return into our
community. The C.I.C collects for your membership a
small fee - 15,00 euro per year if you join as a single, or
25,00 euro per year if you join us with your partner.
In the future we will increase the advantages
from your membership; discounts at excursions,
lunches and at the shops owned by our members.
And members prevail, when it comes to priority
reservations for our activities.
With your fee, you enable us to continue the C.I.C
website and the C.I.C newsletter and lots of other
activities.
Here we publish all of our news and activities, and we
are always “hungry” to receive yours news too!
The promotion leaflet is nearly ready and will soon be
distributed at places for new arrivals to pick up.
The C.I.C is already 22 years an active community, and
we discussed at the last board meeting if we should
reward the long time members for their loyalty to us.
News about how we are going to do this……in the
next issue of “the Times”
In the last year new activities were created by
members from the Rethymno area, and the main
participation came also from here. Before this, there
was also a regular offer from the rest of west Crete.
We would like to invite the members from Chania,
Apokoronas, Akrotiri and Kissamos to”pick up” the line
again in their area with (new) activities.
So we need volunteers to start them up, and we prefer
people to participate from the areas I mentioned
before. If you feel you can organise a walking tour, an
excursion by coach, a boat trip, or anything else that
you feel may be of interest, contact me and I will be
ready to promote it, or to help you with any queries.
Contents
Emergency Numbers 2
CIC Coffee Mornings 4
Messages 5
Battle of Crete 6
Medical Planning 8
Matala Festival 9
BUZZ 10
Community & Group Activities 12
Messages 13, 15, 16, 23
CIC Walk 14
CIC Lunch 17
The Greek Crisis 18
Church Services 19
“A Place in the Sun” 20
Flowers 22
KIFAAMEA 24
Walking & more 26
Cretan Corner 27
Crossword 28
CIC Business Directory 31
Red Cross 33
Advertising in The CIC Newsletter 34
WordWeavers - Three “Short Stories” 35
A Letter from Italy 44
..............and Finally 45
This month we go back to our youth; “Flower Power”
is the theme and we visit the Matala Hippie festival. If
you want to know if there is still place in our organised
tour, contact us. I mentioned earlier that we are 22
years old, so now we are in our twenties and that
means we have the energy from this generation, but
don’t look at our grey hairs!!
Albert van Elst
President of The CIC

Coffee Mornings
CIC Coffee Mornings
Members of the Cretan International Community meet regularly – different days at different locations – for coffee or
tea and/or lunch. The meetings are a great way to network, see other members and learn about upcoming events. For
newcomers to the island, the meetings are an excellent way to meet people, seek assistance, ask questions and make
friends. Every meeting is coordinated by a member of our organisation. A very warm welcome to all members and
non-members.
Chorafakia/Akrotiri
Every Wednesday of the month
Wednesday June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 @ Tersanas Fish Taverna @ 11.00am – 1.00pm
A social group, sharing information, ideas and recipes. Book exchange. Raffle and a game of Bingo. Newcomers welcome.
Call Lesley Killick on 28210-39262.
Georgioupolis
Every 1st Tuesday of the month
Tuesday June 7 @ Sinatra’s Bar @ 11.00 – 12.00 pm.
Sinatra’s Bar is located in the centre of Georgioupolis – coming from the National Road –
go round the central square and take the turning right, and it is a few metres along
on the right hand side opposite the butcher’s shop.
Contact at Sinatra’s is Kate 6942817043 or Anna at CIC VP 6938708410.
Kalyves
Every 2nd Friday of the month
Friday June 10 @ ApiCorno Café @10.30am – 12.00pm
A forum for exchanging information etc, especially for newcomers to Crete, meet new
people and have a coffee!
Call Pam on 28250 22603, mobile 69486 53947 or Julia on 69476 29976.
Rethymnon
Every 1st Monday of the month
Monday June 6, @ Bistro 22 (Pepi Studios) @11.00am - 1.00pm
Bistro 22 is located in Tsouderon St. - coming from the Big Gate follow the shopping street
and about two thirds of the way down on the right hand side at the chemist shop turn right
into Tsouderon St. and Bistro 22 is a few steps along on the right hand side.
For further info please contact Anna on 28310 57305 or 6938708410 or capernaros@ret.forthnet.gr
Members are welcome to
come to coffee mornings
in order to organize
other activities.
i.e. reading groups,
cards, etc. Please feel
free to stay after to do
your own thing.
CIC Monthly Lunch
Date: Wednesday 15 June
Venue: Taverna Kastro, Argiroupoli (Lappa)
Time: 1.00 p.m.
This month we will be going down to the wonderful springs
at Argiroupoli. If you haven’t been there before, or to ancient
Lappa, it is well worth allowing time to have a wander round
both the old village of Lappa and the springs area below the
village. There is a lovely shop in Lappa selling avocado skincare
products plus herbs and other Cretan products, together with
another craft shop or two, and much else of interest plus wonderful views
of surrounding countryside and mountains. Further details on page 17
4 June 2011

Messages
•••••••••••••
5
June 2011
Film club: Tuesday 10 May
Quiz night: 4 May
KAG Workshops
During 2011, we are pleased that we can
offer workshops in the following:
Poetry and Creative Writing
Drawing
Greek conversation evenings
Languages of the World
Life Drawing, Photography
Songwriting,
Watercolouring, Yoga
Plus lessons in the following:
Guitar / Banjo / Mandolin /
Piano / Percussion /
Violin (for beginners)
And in conjunction with the
Apokoronas Craft Guild:
Ceramics, Mosaics
Cretan Lacemaking
Gastronomy - workshops and daytrips
focusing on the food and wines of the area
Tango classes
MIDSUMMER
BARBECUE
at CAMPING ELIZABETH
The CIC is holding its annual summer BBQ
at Camping Elizabeth on Saturday June
25th. from 8.00 pm.
No prebooking required – just turn up
early for a swim and watch the sunset.
This is a ‘pay as you go’ event.
The campsite is East of Rethymnon –
heading towards Heraklion - on the old
road – and is clearly signposted.
For any further information call
Anna – 6938 708410 or
email Vicepresident@thecic.eu.
http://www.rentocamp.com/win/go.cfmtarget
=15911&par=%3FREQ%3D4%26OID15911
Writers are welcome in
the C.I.C newsletter.
If you are interested in any of the above or
wish to find out more, then please let us
know and we will get back to you (and for
those who have already put their names
down there is no need to re-confirm).
Further information about all
KAG events, please contact:
francesca@amygdali.com
www.amygdali.com
NEWS FROM VAMOS ART WEEK IN
THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE CIC TIMES
Members or non members with stories, reports,
poems, anything is welcome, please bear in mind
that they must be your original work, or the source
should be mentioned.
We prefer of course Crete to be the main theme,
maybe you would like to tell us about your day out,
your favorite tavern, beach, village, or just the day
that you spent with your cat!
Pictures are of course the finishing touch of each
contribution. Please remember that short stories
attract readers, so keep it short and sweet!
Send to editor@thecic.eu or leave articles with the
board members or at coffee mornings.
Albert.

Battle of Crete - Photographs
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
6
June 2011
A few photographs from the services to
commemmorate the 70th anniversary of The Battle
of Crete, taken at; Firkas Fortress Chania, Souda Bay
Cemetery, Chania Old Harbour, German War Cemetery
Maleme and Maleme Airfield.

7
June 2011
Battle of Crete - Photographs
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

8
June 2011
Expat Medical Insurance
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
At the next coffee morning in Rethymno,
(Monday 6th June - see page 4) a
representative from the organisation
“ I-Med” will come to explain the system
to us all.
I-Med as a company is involved with health
insurance products. Having gained knowledge
from successful programs in other countries
(Britain, USA and Spain), it is in a position to offer
members programs where everyone is accepted,
regardless of medical history or age.
The programs are as follows:
1. Complete Dental Cover
A. 1 annual dental cleaning, 1 fluoride treatment
etc. FREE of charge
B. 50% discount on any other dental work
Annual fee per person 82 euros
Family 164 euros (no matter the amount of family
members)
2. Complete Optometric Cover
A. Until 30% discount on all optometric purchases
(at contacted dealers)
B. 25% to 80% discount depending on the therapy
or procedure
Annual fee per person 42 euros
Family 84 euros (no matter the amount of family
members)
3. Complete Physiotherapy Cover
4. Complete Health & Beauty Coverage
A. Procedures with high discounts (weight
procedures – aesthetics)
B. Daily beauty care (hairdressers, gyms, spa’s,
dieticians etc.)
Annual fee per person 150 euros
The basics of all the programs are:
• No age limits
• No existing health problems matter on the price
• The money one pays are covered by the free
therapies included in the price
• The programs fully apply the very next day, from the
day that one pays!
• Family programs cover the whole family, regardless
the number of members
• Includes dentists and eye doctors that other
insurance programs do not cover
This cover is particularly suitable for people with
eye problems, or that need to have expensive
operations or treatments, or parents that need to
put braces on their children’s teeth, the financial
gain is enormous (4000 euros is the average price
for braces and they get it half the cost).
So,if you find this an interesting and profitable idea
to invest in (as I do ;-), please let me know and my
friend can make this presentation to everybody
interested, in English.
Albert
info@winterincrete.com
A. 15 euros per therapy session
B. 50% coverage of special therapy treatments
(including home therapy)
Annual fee per person 42 euros
Family 84 euros (no matter the amount of family
members)

Matala Time!!!
•••••••••••••••••
9
June 2011
The Myth of Matala is still alive
June 11-13
“Matala Open Air” is a 3 day music festival with live music, beach parties, right in front of the famous
caves with music from the sixties / seventies - the sound & music of the legendary woodstock festival ... an
attractive program with lots of (live) music and a party feeling with all kinds of activities like Hippie bazaar,
and Hippie events, accoustic live music, concerts, happenings, exhibitions, childrens fun parc ... and more!
A group of C.I.C members is going to the Hippie festival in Matala from 11-6-2011 until 13-6-2011.
We have booked rooms at Hotel Zafiria, but we need to confirm before 31-5-2011. Last minute bookings should be in my email
before 4-6-2011 and the request will be handled if there is more space available .
Rooms cost 30,00 euro for single and 35,00 euro for double. Service and breakfast is included.
All members go with their own transportation and for carpooling you may contact me at email: info@winterincrete.com
Albert van Elst.
http://www.visitmatala.com/reunion.phplang=en

10
June 2011
Bees are buzzing - or not - by Avaaz
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
hear BUZZ
Can you the
Bees are dying off worldwide and our entire food chain is in
peril. Scientists blame toxic pesticides and four European
governments have already banned them. If we get the US and
the EU to join the ban, other governments across the world
could follow, and save bees from extinction.
Silently, billions of bees are dying off and our
entire food chain is in danger. Bees don’t just
make honey, they are a giant, humble workforce,
pollinating 90% of the plants we grow.
Multiple scientific studies blame one group
of toxic pesticides for their rapid demise, and
bee populations have soared in four European
countries that have banned these products. But
powerful chemical companies are lobbying hard to
keep selling this poison. Our best chance to save
bees now is to push the US and EU to join the ban
-- their action is critical and will have a ripple effect
on the rest of the world.
We have no time to lose -- the debate is raging about what to do. This is not just about saving bumble
bees, this is about survival. Let’s build a giant global buzz calling for the EU and US to outlaw these killer
chemicals and save our bees and our food. Sign the emergency petition now, and send it on to everyone
and we’ll deliver it to key decision makers:
Bees are vital to life on earth -- every year pollinating plants and crops with an estimated $40bn value, over
one third of the food supply in many countries. Without immediate action to save bees we could end up
with no fruit, no vegetables, no nuts, no oils and no cotton.
Recent years have seen a steep and disturbing global decline in bee populations -- some bee species
are now extinct and others are at just 4% of
their previous numbers. Scientists have been
scrambling for answers. Some studies claim
the decline may be due to a combination of
factors including disease, habitat loss and
toxic chemicals. But new leading independent
research has produced strong evidence
blaming neonicotinoid pesticides. France,
Italy, Slovenia and even Germany, where
the main manufacturer Bayer is based, have
banned one of these bee killers. But, Bayer
continues to export its poison across the world

11
June 2011
Bees are buzzing - or not
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This issue is now coming to the boil as major new
studies have confirmed the scale of this problem.
If we can get European and US decision-makers to
take action, others will follow. It won’t be easy. A
leaked document shows that the US Environmental
Protection Agency knew about the pesticide’s
dangers, but ignored them. The document says
Bayer’s “highly toxic” product is a “major risk concern
to non target insects [honey bees]”.
We need to make our voices heard to counter Bayer’s
very strong influence on policy makers and scientists
in both the US and the EU where they fund the
studies and sit on policy bodies. The real experts
-- the beekeepers and farmers -- want these deadly
pesticides prohibited until and unless we have solid,
independent studies that show they are safe. Let’s
support them now. Sign the petition below, then
forward this email:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/vl
We can no longer leave our delicate food chain in the
hands of research run by the chemical companies
and the regulators that are in their pockets. Banning
this pesticide will move us closer to a world safe for
ourselves and the other species we care about and
depend on.
With hope,
Alex, Alice, Iain, David and all at Avaaz
MORE INFORMATION
Bee decline could be down to chemical cocktail
interfering with brains
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/
jun/22/chemicals-bees-decline-majorstudyINTCMP=SRCH
Bee briefing
http://www.soilassociation.org/LinkClick.aspxfiletic
ket=RXLEm9WXrHk%3D&tabid=439
$15 Billion Bee Murder Mystery Deepens
http://www.businessinsider.com/colony-collapsedisorder-still-unsolved-lead-researcher-hadconnections-to-bayer-2010-10
“Nicotine Bees” Population Restored With
Neonicotinoids Ban
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/05/nicotinebees-population-restored-with-neonicotinoids-ban.
php
EPA memo reveals concern that pesticide causes bee
deaths
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/green/
detailentry_id=79910
Beekeepers want government to pull pesticide
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/
beekeepers-want-government-to-pullpesticide-1107701.html
British Beekeepers’ Association to stop endorsing
bee-killing pesticides http://www.guardian.co.uk/
environment/2010/nov/16/beekeepers-endpesticide-endorsementINTCMP=SRCH
Pesticide industry involvement in EU risk assessment
puts survival of bees at stake
http://www.corporateeurope.org/agribusiness/
news/2010/11/16/pesticide-industry-future-bees

Community Church Services & Group / Groups/ Activities Consulates
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Community & Group Activities
12
10
MONDAYS
Cancer Support Group
First Monday of each Month at
11:00am in Georgoupolis. For
people who have been through
or who are undergoing treatment
for cancer, as well those who have
recently lost someone to cancer.
This is a support group, not a
therapy group and confidentiality
is a given. Contact Mrs Chris
Parnassus at 6977 559644 or
email: cparnassus@hotmail.com
Chess Club
Every Monday at 8:00pm in Cafe
Francoise in Almyrida. Everyone
welcome.For more information
please call Georges Simon 28250
41940 or 6945 645264 or email:
gsms@otenet.gr
Quiz Night
Every Monday at 8:30pm in
Bicorna Café, Plaka.
Call Helen on 6945 764870 for
more information
TUESDAYS
KAG & Liakoto Film Club
Every second Tuesday at Liakoto
Art Café, Vamos. For full schedule
of films visit the KAG website at
www.amygdali.com
WEDNESDAYS
Coffee Morning
International Society of the
Kissamos Area (ISKA) 4th
Wednesday of the month at
11:00am at To Kellari Taverna on
the seafront in Kissamos. Secondhand
books and DVDs on sale for
one Euro each – proceeds going
to local animal charities. Please
bring along any unwanted books
and DVDs to add to the collection.
For more information contact
Karen on 28220 23546 or email:
membership@iska.gr
NOVEMBER 2010
THURSDAYS
Neapoli Friends’ Meeting
Every Thursday at Café Driros
(opposite the park) at 11:00am.
For more information visit the
website at www.inconews.com or
call 28410 32483
FRIDAYS
Aptera Fridays
Every Friday, 11:00am, at Cretan
Corner Taverna, Megala Horafia
Square, Aptera. Lectures on a
wide range of subjects, exhibits,
lessons, baked goods and more.
For more information and a
schedule of upcoming events
contact Sue Harris Kokotsakis on
6909 800998.
Quiz Night
every Friday at 8:00pm in Apopsi
Taverna, Neo Horio, Apokoronou.
for details call 28250 41807
SATURDAYS
Quiz Night
Every Saturday at 9:00pm in Café
Vafe, Nea Chora, Chania.
For more info call 28210 88849.
Quiz Night
Every second Saturday at 9:00pm
Akropolis Bar, Plantanes,
Rethymno. For dates and
additional info call 6946 398883
SUNDAYS
Quiz Night
Every Sunday at 9:00pm in
Sirocco, Almyrida. Call Helen on
6945 764870 for more info.
FORGOTTON YOUR
USERNAME & PASSWORD
For the website
FORUM
www.thecic.eu
Ask at
members@the cic.eu
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Meetings
Rethymnon. Mondays &
Thursdays at 3:00pm. For more
information call Hans-Juergen
28310 91073 or Christine 693690
5848.
Sternes. Wednesdays 7:30pm. For
more information call Ken 697 661
3716 or Mary 693 419 7767.
Kefalas. Tuesdays at 7:00pm. For
more information call Christine or
Archie 697 943 4598
Heading toward Ierapetra Need
a meeting
Call Sharon 28420 27518.
Near Ag. Nikolaos Need a
meeting Call Sharon 28420
27518 or Janet 28420 27225 / 697
939 3098.
Cretan Cooking with Koula
Twice a month, Koula Barydakis,
co-author of the cookbook “Food
of Crete”, conducts cooking classes
at her home in Chania for CIC
members. The cost is €25.00 for
CIC Members and €30.00 for
non-CIC Members and includes
all ingredients, a copy of the
recipe and of course the lunch
of your labours. Participation is
limited to 10 people. For more
information or to reserve your
place, please call Koula directly at
6972 169031.
Bereavement Group
A new group is now available
for anyone grieving the loss of a
loved one. For more information,
please get in touch with Chris
Parnassus on 6977 559644 or
email: cparnassus@hotmail.com
June 2011

13
June 2011
Messages
•••••••••••
CANCER SUPPORT CRETE
Cancer Support Crete is
for people who have
been through or who are
undergoing treatment
for cancer.
It is also for the friends and relatives of those
who are having treatment for cancer and for
those who have lost someone to cancer.
We now have a website!
www.cancersupportcrete.com
We also have practical support available! We
have a lending service of items which have
been donated, for example, an air mattress,
slide sheets etc.
DOG
WATERBOWLS
NEEDED NOW!
A local dog rescue centre is in urgent need
of water bowls for the dogs – they need to
be large (ie buckets with broken handles,
5 litre empty paint tubs etc).
If you can help please email
olwen13@otenet.gr.
Olwen will happily collect them from you.
They are also in desperate need of
volunteers, even if its just for a couple of
hours a week.
Calendar of
Greek Name
days / Saint Days
& Holidays for this
Month
For Greeks, name days are much-anticipated
annual events. More significant than birthdays,
they are celebrated on the particular saint’s
day with gifts, sweets and parties. Traditionally,
people celebrating their name day wait for
guests to visit them at home. Even if a party
isn’t held, the person celebrating their name
day offers sweets or drinks to family members,
friends and work colleagues. It is customary to
accept these and wish the person Hronia Polla
(meaning ‘many happy years’).
As name days are so significant in Greek culture
it is well worthwhile finding out your friends’
name day. Mark it in your diary so you can
wish them Hronia Polla. Your clients will greatly
appreciate your effort to celebrate their special
day.
Saints/Name Days
June 2 - Marinos; Nikiforos
June 4 - Martha
June 5 - Dorotheos, Dorothea
(Dorothy); Kynthia (Cynthia)
June 11 - Bartholomeos; Loukas
June 15 - Monika
June 24 - Birth of John the Baptist
June 29 - Pavlos (Paul); Petros (Peter)
June 30 - Apostolos, Apostolis, Tolis
Kind regards
Chrissy Pound

CIC Walk - with albert
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••
14 June 2011
A walk in the Amari Valley
Saturday 4th
June @ 10.00am
“An opportunity for a gentle downhill walk in beautiful countryside with many
interesting photo opportunities and historic houses and churches.”
Arrive in Amari village square. Have a choice of coffee or a short walk around this very interesting
village with many Venetian houses and a bell-tower giving wonderful views of the village and
surrounding area.
Then, another choice - either to stay and have a better look at the village and then walk down the
tarmac road to our lunch stop with the opportunity on the way to see Agia Anna church (which has
the oldest dated frescoes on Crete - 13th century) and Panayia Kera church, with a wonderfully carved
doorway, currently under renovation.
Or, walk on easy paths firstly to the nearby village of Opsigias, then downhill to join the tarmac road
and see Agia Anna church (as above). Then more paths around the fields passing country chapels and
down to Panayia Kera church (as above). This walk is maybe 8kms. and apart from two VERY short
slopes at the beginning, is all downhill.
Both walks end at the main junction at Scholi Asomaton with it’s old monastery, currently being
renovated, and buildings of the previous agricultural school where many of the older farmers in the
area studied.
Lunch is at Panakron, a newly built taverna complex with villas to rent in beautiful grounds affording
fantastic views of Mt. Psiloritis and some of the villages of the northern part of the Amari valley. A good
choice of local food and wine is available here at very reasonable prices.
If you would like to join us, we start from Rethymno by coach. at 10.00 am Cost 10.00 euro p.p.
E mail: info@winterincrete.com

15
June 2011
Message
••••••••••
Price includes ½ litre of wine per person
νεράιδα

16
June 2011
Friends of Kissamos
•••••••••••••••••••••••
Friends of Kissamos
Fund-raising Summer Fête
Sunday 24 July
12.00pm – 6.00pm
We are a group of Greek and non-Greek people who live around Kissamos who are
organising a Summer Fête in Kissamos on Sunday July 24th . It will be held on the
seafront, just past the football stadium. We have spoken to the Dimos, who have
given their permission and support and have offered to help us with publicity.
We are raising money to purchase a automatic defibrillator for the Kissamos
ambulance as they do not have one, we have discussed this with the Director of
the Health Centre and he welcomes our efforts.
A local doctor has checked out suppliers and we can buy one, along with the
necessary training for 3 people for €2,500 approx. Any excess that we raise will be given to Kissamos Old
People’s Home.
A table space to sell your goods will cost just €15, you will
need to bring your own table, chair and probably umbrella.
This is a great opportunity for you to have a clear out and make
some money for yourself, and have a fun day out. We have
about 150 spaces for sellers and these will be allocated on a
first come first served basis.
The local Trader’s Association have promised us their support
and will be publicising the event amongst their members, as
we will be looking for donations as prizes in the raffles. We
would like local artists etc to join us.
There will also be raffles, cakes, food, a pig roast, music, tombola and a white elephant stall – and we need
your donations and volunteers on the day to run these. If you want to make a donation for our fund-raising
stalls, please let us know and we will discuss collection.
Please put the date in your diary and come along to make this a successful day in support of our local
community.
For more details, to book a space or to volunteer –
please contact us at kissamosfriends@yahoo.com
or Avril on 28220 83325 (after 10 am).
We also have a Facebook Page – Kissamos Friends.

17 June 2011
CIC Lunch
•••••••••••••••••••
CIC Monthly Lunch
Date: Wednesday 15 June
Venue: Taverna Kastro, Argiroupoli (Lappa)
Time: 1.00 p.m.
This month we will be going down to the
wonderful springs at Argiroupoli. If you haven’t
been there before, or to ancient Lappa, it is well
worth allowing time to have a wander round
both the old village of Lappa and the springs
area below the village.
There is a lovely shop in Lappa selling avocado
skincare products plus herbs and other Cretan
products, together with another craft shop or two,
and much else of interest plus wonderful views
of surrounding countryside and mountains. The
springs area itself has many tavernas and some
interesting old buildings beyond.
To get to the Kastro Taverna, turn off at the sign for Episkopi from the National Road between Rethymno
and Georgioupoli, and when you come to a three-way junction, take the middle road. Follow this road
and turn right to Episkopi and then turn hard left just before the Kactus Taverna. There will be signs for
Argiroupoli; it is about 6km south of Episkopi. Proceed straight on for a short while until you come to a
bakery on the left, a new-build on the right, followed by a right turn (opposite a bus stop)marked to the
Springs of Argiroupoli (also Asi Gonia). Take this road and follow it till you reach the springs area. On the
first corner there are steps on the left hand side which go up to the Kastro. About 200m further on there
is a road, again on the left, which goes up to the taverna where there is limited parking.
We suggest the able-bodied park below and go on
foot up the steps (or the road), leaving this parking
area for the less able-bodied or those with dodgy
knees! (If you want to visit Lappa, go straight on at
the bus stop and you will come to the village a little
further on.)
The Kastro has quite a wide menu, is very reasonably
priced, and is in a very attractive setting on various
levels, looking down on the tavernas below. There
are numerous springs cascading down the hillside
and lots of trees, making it a shady, verdant area.
Please call Jayne on 69422 67292 or e-mail her at janejuster@ymail.com to book your place by 6.00 pm
on Monday 13 June. As usual, lunch is on a pay-as-you-go basis.
You are of course welcome to bring any visitors who may be staying with you.

18
June 2011
Crisis - What Crisis
•••••••••••••••••••••••
The Greek Crisis
In my home country, the people believe that Greece
has fallen so deeply into the “crisis ravine”, that
saving the country is impossible and that Greece
should be leaving the EU and return to the Drachma.
The Greek States financial situation has reached
163 % of debt of the the Gross National Production
and the country needs an economic growth of 9 %
per year to be able to pay only “a part” of its financial
debt to the IMF and EU before the year 2020.
Loans to the Greek State from private money
investors, have to be re paid at a 15 % rate
of interest. Here are results of a survey in the
Netherlands, what do you know about your home
country, is there any support for Greece
A majority of the Dutch people (58 percent) believes
that their government should not give further aid
to Greece. A slim majority (51 percent) also believes
that Greece should be expelled from the euro zone.
According to a poll published Sunday 15-5-2011
by Maurice de Hond. Approximately 72 percent
of those surveyed think that Greece could never
repay their debts. There will be consultation on the
European Board about Greece in Brussels next week
(mid May).
Most Dutch people think that Minister Jan Kees
de Jager (Finance) should refuse to continue to
cooperate to support Greece. Especially tollerance
Party PVV voters (90 percent) and opposition party
SP (69 percent) believe this, but a large part of the
supporters of the ruling party VVD (64 percent) also
say we should stop follow-up support to Greece.
Back to the DRACHMA again, the oldest European
money system, will we have the 10.000 drachma
notes again........they made me feel rich in those days
although it was only worth about 35 euro!
Albert

Church Services /& Groups/ Embassies Consulates
19 11
TO HAVE YOUR LOCAL
QUIZ NIGHT ADDED TO
THE LISTING Please email:
editor@the cic.eu
Cross-Cultural Centre of
Chania
32 Athinon, Chania
Specialising in English Language
& Cultural programs for
English-speaking children.
Saturday drop-off program for
children interested in art,
rhythm and movement.
Austria
Dedalou Str, Heraklion
Tel: 2810 223379
Britain
Candia Tower, Thalita 17, Agios
Dimitrios Sq, Heraklion
Tel: 2810 224012
Canada
4 Ioannou Ghennadiou Str, Athens,
Tel: 210 7273400
Denmark
Monis Agarathou 22, Heraklion
Tel: 2810 243714
Finland
87 Eleftheriou Venizelou Str,
Hersonissos, Heraklion
Tel: 28970 22395/22556
Germany
Dikeossinis Str, 7, 712 02, Heraklion
Tel: 2810 226288
Goethe Zentrum, Digeni Akrita, 1st
Floor, Chania
Tel: 28210 6887
Norway
Vironos 4, Heraklion
Tel: 2810 341872
The Netherlands
Dimokratias 11, Heraklion
Tel: 2810 241 700
Sweden
AIlianthos Hotel Agia Marina, Chania
Tel: 28210 60605
USA
91 Vasilissis Sophias Ave, Athens,
Tel: 210-720-2419
NOVEMBER 2010
Contact:
Alexandra Mihelaki
Tel: 6948364682
Carla Stavridi
Tel: 6948364681
Karen Sifostratoudaki
Tel: 6948364680
Consulates &
Embassies
Duplicate Bridge
Clubs in Crete
(Members of the Hellenic Bridge
Foundation)
Hania
Duplicate Bridge Club of Hania,
Akali Hotel, 55 Kissamou Str, Hania
Tel: 6936821850 (Greek)
Tel: 6938-639823 (English)
Rethymno
ROM Rethymnian Bridge Club,
Melidoni 1, 741 00 Rethymno
Tel: 28310 20828
Fax: 28310 35456
Heraklion
PLI TOURIST CLUB OF Heraklion
Megaro Dore, 712 01 Heraklion
Tel/Fax: 2810 223690
Mountaineering Club
of Chania
Tzanakaki 90, Chania
Tel: 28210 44647
Open weekdays 9pm-11pm
Organises one and two-day
excursions on a regular basis.
Amnesty International
First Thursday of every month
at 2:30 pm
for details call Cliff Cook
Tel: 694494267 294267
New Life Centre
5th Floor, 2 Sfakion
(next to music shop), Chania
Services in English every Sunday 11:00am
Tel: 28210 52540
Pentecostal Church
Sfakion 51, Chania
(Behind Olympic Airways Service)
Sunday 10.30 am
Etz Hayim Synagogue
Kondilaki str, Chania
Nicholas Stavroulakis-Hannan
Tel: 28210 86286
www.etz-hayyim-hania.org
The Assumption of
Our Lady
Catholic Church
Chalidon Str. 46, Chania
Tel/Fax: 28210/93443
Holy Mass:
Sunday 10:00 am
Weekdays 7:00 pm
Daily Mass at 6pm
(until the end of March 2010)
St. Antony of Padova
Catholic Church
Mesologhiou Str. 23, Rethymnon
Tel: 208310/26416
Holy Mass:
Saturday 6:00 pm
Sunday services start in Spring
St. John the Baptist
Catholic Church
Patros Antoniou Str, Heraklion
Tel/Fax: 2810/346191
Holy Mass:
Saturday 6:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am
International
Free Evangelical Church
Corner of A. Papandreou & Mitsotaki
(downstairs), Chania
Rev. M. Schwitzky
Tel/Fax: 28210 78779
Services in English & German
Sunday 10:00 am
Bible Study Friday 10:00 am
Evangelischer
Gottesdienst
in Deutscher Sprache
jetzt regelmäßig auch in Ihrer Nähe,
Chania Chalepa
Normalerweise am vierten Sonntag im
monat um
11.30 am
Kontakt: Pfarrer Dr. Otmar Hesse
Tel: 2810 823486/114
Mob: 6978 788970
pfarrer@evkikreta.de
www.evkikreta.de
The Chapel of
Saint Thomas the Apostle
Kefalas, Vamos, Apokoronou
Church Leader, Rev. Tony Lane
Tel: 6988 718931
Holy Communion:
every Sunday 11:00 am
www.theanglicanchurchincrete.co.uk
June 2011

20
June 2011
A Place in the Sun - by Wanderer
•••••••••••••••••••••••

21
June 2011
A Place in the Sun cont’d
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

22
June 2011
Flowers Everywhere
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
“This flower above is Ornithogalum arabicum.
The “Star of Bethlehem group”. According to
Nick Turlands book “Flowers of Crete” it has
apparently only recently been seen in olive groves
at Hromonastiri south-east of Rethimno, where it is
probably naturalised, and on Gavdos island, where
it is said to be native.”
Thanks to www.cretanflora.com for help in
identifying a flower photographed by Viv Walker
near Tavronitis.
Thanks to Viv Walker and
Donna Southgate-Smith for these
photographs of just a few of our
Islands beautiful wild flowers.

23
June 2011
Messages
•••••••••••
Charity Garden
Open Day
For KIFAAMEA
(Day centre for people with
Disabilities, Chania)
Alan and Rosemary’s
Courtyard Garden in the
Village of Plaka
CIC Facebook
Page
Here we will announce the last minute news,
events, links to interesting sites, etc.
Members of the group may announce their
news, promote their business, their activities
and add photos into the album.
Thursday 16 th June
11am - 2pm
Come along and see some unusual
plants growing in a courtyard
garden and enjoy home made cakes
with
a cup of tea or a glass of wine.
5 Euro per person
including refreshments
To publish messages or comments you must
be a member!
If you are a member you can also invite your
friends to join the C.I.C group too!
PLANTS FOR SALE
BOOKS FOR SALE
You will find our house on the road
between Plaka and Kambia
1 st on the right just past the petrol
station with plenty of parking.
All proceeds will go to the charity

24 June 2011
KIFAAMEA News
•••••••••••••••••••••
KIFAAMEA
Day Centre for Children with Special Needs
Fundraising News and Forthcoming Events,
We are delighted to report that the building work on the new centre is progressing steadily. We still need your valuable
support to continue raising vital funds.
The centre will have therapy rooms, dining room, comfortable bedroom and a very light, bright activity and reception
area. The steel structure shown below has been donated by a parent.
Sponsored Static Cycle Ride:
The wet weather did nothing to dampen the high spirits and enthusiasm of our cyclists and supporters on
Saturday 26 th February. Thanks to Babis `Atlantis Beach Cafe’ in Almyrida and all those who helped in any
way. An incredible sum was raised: €742 in sponsorship, €71 in book sales and €122.30 in donations giving a
fantastic total of €935.30 !!!
`Jazz at Lunchtime’:
On 20 th March we held a Jazz at Lunch Time event at the Liakoto Arts Café in Vamos – thank-you Yiorgos.
Despite the rain and the cold/flu bug that was ‘attacking’ people we had a good attendance. Our thanks, also,
to Phil and John who played the music. Phil and John form the jazz duo Big Fish. Phil and John are also part of
a six piece rock band and together with two Greek musicians they are known as The Restless Balance. It was a
fun, relaxing way to spend a couple of hours on a Sunday and hopefully we will have a repeat at some time –
and of course, we raised the splendid sum of €278 for the Day Centre.

KIFAAMEA News
•••••••••••••••••••••
25 June 2011
NEXT EVENT:
OPEN GARDEN – Thursday 9 th June – 11.00-14.00 (see page 23)
Rosemary and Alan will be opening their beautiful Garden in Plaka. Entrance e5, to include, coffee/glass of wine
plus a piece of delicious home made cake. You will have the opportunity to buy cuttings (if you have any to
contribute do bring them along) plus the ever popular second hand book stall.
Further information from either Rosemary: 28253 00481 or Mollie: 6934311657.
Acknowledging your support....
Mollie was thrilled to receive the following letter from the Chair of Kifaamea on 5 th May 2011:
“We would want to thank you through our heart for the big help that you offer in us and our children.
This difficult economic season, it is very important for us we have close to us persons which care also us
help we continue our work. We would want you know that we appreciate particularly your help so much
morally and economically. We wished you has the god well you continue your work and you support
those in need”,
Yours faithfully,
For Kifaamea,
the Chair, Velegraki Niki
Also, the following was included in a recent edition of the local newspaper:
THANKS KIFAAMEA
The KIFAAMEA in Chania thanks hotly the English community of the
Red Village and particularly Mrs. Mollie Love, who assembled 10.727 euros
and offered it in our Centre to complete the electrical installation in the new “home” for
our children. We are grateful for the precious help that it offers to us. We wish they are
always well.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved during the three years
when we started the fund raising, at that time under the Logo of Big Ears, which is no longer.
Without everyone who has hosted an event and those who have attended none of this could have
happened. As the Chair of KIFAAMEA pointed out the economic climate is very difficult at this moment
but I hope you can still support us in whatever way you can.
Mollie.
If you would like more information about Kifaamea, or would like to be informed of future
fundraising events, please email your contact details to:
Mollie: molliemny@googlemail.com or Jill: jill.jesper@yahoo.co.uk

Walking and more..........
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
,
10 th June 2011
E:info@cretancreative.com
E:info@cretancreative.com
Walking Dates
for your diaries
2011
Sun June 12th: Loutraki Circuit
with end of season meal (Harry)
Walks have always been one of the most
popular activities of the CIC and many
members have enjoyed a wide variety
of walks in and around Apokoronas and
Western Crete.
We are now “The Happy Wanderers”
walking group and information about
schedules, arrangements, meeting place
and time together with occasional
photographs are exchanged by email via
“Google Groups”. Walkers do not need
to be members of the CIC, and the group
contains a wide variety of nationalities,
ages and abilities.
The “Happy Wanderers” has no official
standing. We are simply a group of
friends who enjoy walking in the Cretan
countryside. No charge is made (although
contributions to certain charities are
welcomed) and those who organise and
lead the walks accept no responsibility for
accidents, injuries or losses.
Anyone wishing to be kept informed of
forthcoming walks should email Richard
and Barbara Johnson at
johnsonr@otenet.gr
If you have new walks
to offer, or want to join
“The Happy Wanderers”
walking group,
contact
Richard and Barbara at
johnsonr@otenet.gr
26
June 2011

Cretan Corner
••••••••••••••••
27
June 2011
CRETAN CORNER Cafe/Taverna
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Situated in Megala Horafia Square, Aptera, Cretan Corner is the ideal spot to refresh yourself
after a visit to the Archeological site of Ancient Aptera, or a drive through the magnificent
valleys of Apokorono.
During the summer the Taverna is open for meals & is also well-known for the Saturday Cretan
Dance Evenings led by the younger son in traditional costumes.
Book early to ensure an unforgettable evening of entertainment.
June programme
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Friday 3rd June 11am
Coffee Social with PAULA of PHOENIX CARDS
Paula has a wide variety of attractive greetings cards. She represents a firm well known for
their generous donations to Macmillan Cancer care & other charities.
Friday 10th June
Opening day of NEW EXHIBITION by ARTIST MICHAELA RAEBURN
11am Coffee Social
7pm Cheese n Wine Reception
Michaela will be exhibiting her beautiful shell Collages until 12th July
For the above coffee mornings there will be NO set charge,
Refreshments pay-as-you-go.
Friday 17th June SUMMER PARTY!!
Shared Buffet Lunch~ Please bring something delicious..!
Presentation of Charity money to Orizontas
Raffle prizes welcome
Friday 24th June (Fingers Crossed!)
Another Wonderful Evening with KEVIN MONTGOMERY in CONCERT
We will let you know when tickets are available
Don’t Forget.... Monday meals ...Weekly Social 7.30pm.
Email: suecretancorner@gmail.com or
Tel: 6909 800998 or 28250 32241

28
June 2011
Crossword
•••••••••••••
The new
Crossword
Puzzle
competition
Every month in our C.I.C-times we publish a crossword puzzle. To inspire and energise you for
this “brainwork”, we introduce a competition to “hurt & train” your brains every month!
All readers of the C.I.C times that complete the puzzle and deliver it as below, we offer on a
yearly schedule, a prize from the C.I.C .
We have created a points system to find a winner !!
10= super correct, 9= only 1 mistake, 8= more than 3 wrong, 7= more than 5 mistakes , and
6= more than 10 answers are wrong.
How can you enter this competition
Well first of all complete the crossword puzzle. Preferably every month.
Send, or give the solution to one of the C.I.C board members, before the 21st of each month
Wait for the result in the next C.I.C times.
After 1 year, running from June to June we will announce the winner and the prize!
Deliver the crossword puzzle solutions to-
Answers to Crossword 32, published May 2011
1) At all our coffee mornings
2) At all our excursions
3) At all other activities, if they were
published in the C.I.C times
4) At any of our board members address or their
emails.
5) Or by sending them to editor@thecic.eu
GOOD LUCK!!
Albert

Crossword no.33 Competition 2/1 - Antonyms* (A)
•••••••••••••••••••••
by Vassilias
Across.
1.* Judo grade cooked grouse &
place for cash. 9.1.4.
9.* Loud pot ( + see 21 across ). 5.
10.* A to cheese. 5.
11.* A to a known plane. 1.1.1.
12. “Iron your own shirt” might contain a hint of
wife’s tone. 5.
13.* Hippo or rhino have no money
( + see 17 across ) 4.
14. Wedding response; fifty worship it. 4.
16.* A to over. 5.
17.* A to 13 across. 4.
19.* With 26 across minced meat & angry. 4.4.
21.* A to 9 across. 4.
25.* Over the hill. 4.
26.* See 19 across.
27.* Length of vessel with fore. 3.
30.* Jack could eat none ( A to lean ). 3.
31.* Not an open case. 4.
32.* “ Funny men”. 6.3.5.
29
Down.
1.* This crossword will be hopefully more of
the former. 9.1.4.
2.* Testaments. 3.3.3.
3.* Better than dead. 5.
4.* A country or a toilet can be ( + see 22 down ) 8
5. Entertainment with commercial in the middle could be
puppet. 6.
6. Drink that sounds like it could have 12 across in it. 4.
7.* A to solid. 5.
8.* Two kinds of virgin. 7.3.4.
15.* A to died. 5.
18.* The solver. 5.
20.* Vassilias. 2.
22.* A to 4 down. 6.
23.* One of A dry pop trio. 3.
24.* A to thither. 6.
28.* Presumably Jack was this. 4.
29. Bottom left on computer keyboard ( mine anyway ) 4.
Warning; this puzzle contains 2 ampersands & 2 ands .
June 2011

Advertising
••••••••••••••

CIC Business Directory
31 June 2011
CIC Business Directory
This is a listing and is free to all of the members of the CIC. This directory
is updated every month with the publishing of the CIC Times. To make a
correction, please contact the membership secretary at members@thecic.
eu. To advertise in the CIC Times, please contact our Advertising Manager at
cictimesads@thecic.eu
Alternative
Astrology & Tarot Reading.
Horoscope reading, child’s horoscope,
& tarot. Topolia, Kissamos. www.
atrosophia.eu, Tel: 2822 051195,
email: denise@astrosophia.eu
Wild Herbs of Crete. Collecting and
distilling wild herbs, essential oils,
tinctures, soap and shampoo.
email: wildherbsofcrete@gmail.com,
Tel. 6949 092073,
Yogamorphosis. Yoga classes,
massage and seminars. Maria Varelas,
web: www.yogamorphosis.gr , Tel:
28210 33900, Mob: 6942791516,
Arts
Dance
Studio KER, Expressive Dance Classes
& Pilates-Andrews MatWork, Dangli
22A, Chania, Effie Caloutsis tel: 28210
52295 kercrete@otenet.gr
RAQS SHAQI: Dance of the East.
Group and private lessons, Workshops.
Natalia Karavi, Tel. 6976 209338
email: nataliakaravi@hotmail.com
Painting & Drawing
Crete international School of Art
Rethymno. A structured learning
environment - drawing, painting, 3D
studies - for all wishing to extend their
skills and visual awareness.
Tel 28310 41403 / 6945846800
Kalamitsi Arts Group. Creative events
& activities. Kalamitsi Amygdalou,
Vamos, Chania. Tel: 28250 22515,
Mob: 6945 020497
Linda Talbot. One day workshops
in creative collage (from deities
to Dolphins) at Sea Songs studio
in Maleme. 28210 62913 or 6946
247837, lintalgr@yahoo.co.uk
Maria Hoffmeister. Paintings,
drawings, arts & crafts, courses
& workshops, private lessons.
Georgioupolis, Chania.
email: hemahoff@web.de
Beauty
Chiropodist. Pedicure, manicure.
Aghios Onoufrios (Sodi), Akrotiri,
Chania, Agnes Nikolaidis-Brouwer,
Tel: 28210 69693, Mob: 6973 720424
Creative Services
Graphic design & Illustration.
BA(hons); logos, menus, books,
brochures, leaflets, magazines,
stationary, greeting cards. Cathryn
Stefanopoulos, Tel: 0044(0)1883
741974, email: cathryn.gilbert@
gmail.com
Computer
Software/Networks
Juergen Wagner. IT-softwaretraining
and consulting. MSOffice
(Excel, Powerpoint, Word etc.),
German & English speaking.
Rethymno, Tel: 6955 041081, email:
wagner.kreta@web.de
Luc Brusten Computer Consulting.
Web & database design. Mob: 6946
694948, email: info@lucbrusten.
com, web: www.lucbrusten.com
Cooking
Cretan Cooking with Koula.
Cooking courses. Tel: 28210 92069
Crafts & Hobbies
Cross Stitch Crete. Cross stitch kits
and patterns. Kalyves. web: www.
cross-stitch.creteforyou.com
Tel: 28250 32562
Tetraktis Studios Pottery
workshop. Verekinthos handicraft
village No 6, Souda Interchange.
Tel. 28210 80118, email: info@
teraktis-studio.gr
Home Services
Property Management
Moonspinners Crete Security
Locksmith Service & Property
Maintenance. www. villa-security.
com, PO Box 12 Vamos Post Office
73008 Vamos, Apokoronas,.
Tel. 28250 83219,
email: service@villa-security.com
M&M Management & More. Villa,
holiday-home care. Tel: 6936 359979
Home Services SECURITY Spark
Electronics. Burglar Alarm Systems
and Installation, DVR Digital Video
Recording Cameras, Day/Night,
British Brands. Tel. 6944 508907,
email: sparkelec@windowslive.com
The House Keepers, Pet care,
Gardening, Pool Cleaning, Basic
House Cleaning, Small repairs,
painting, insulation, Judith &
Manos, Tel. 6976 135827, email:
juditha2011@hotmail.de
Hotels/Villas/
Camping
Akrotiri Villas Crete Ltd. Selfcatering
apartments. Akrotiri Villas,
Stavros, Akrotiri. Tel: 28210 39005,
Fax: 28210 39570, email: avcrete@
cha.forthnet.gr, web: www.
akrotirivillas.com
Camping Elizabeth. Camp &
caravan rentals. Missiria, Rethymno.
Tel. 28310 28694, mob. 6936
632754/ 6947 17270
Language
Everyday Greek, Learn Greek the fun
way. Megala Horafia, Chania, Sue
Harris-Kokotsaki, Tel: 2825 031940
Tutor & Wordsmith, Mary Elizabeth
Olsen. Masters degrees, English &
journalism professor. University of
Maryland, 20 years in the writing
business, TOEFL-certified. Tel:
6934197767
Medical
Dentist
Dental Practice. 5 Papanastasiou,
Chania, Tel: 28210 45600, email:
drailakis@gmail.com
Gynaecologist/
Obstetrician
Spyridon Pepes, (OB/GYN).
Trained in the UK. Peridou 24,
Chania, Tel: 28214 00401
Nursing
Sibylle Anastasia O’Rourke.
Qualified nurse, home & hospital care,
German and English-speaking.
Tel: 28210 57078, Mob: 6978 545096
Nutrition
Uta Wagner. Nutrition scientist,
therapy & consultation: food allergy,
diabetes, malnutrition, cancer,
etc. German & English-speaking.
Rethymno. Tel: 69556 98051, email:
uta@leckeres-kreta.de
Ophthalmologist
Elena Pavlidou. Trained in UK.
Sfakion 46-50, Chania, Tel: 28210
20399, email: elenpavl@hol.gr
Psychology/
Psychotherapy
Chris Parnassus-Tripodianakis.
Counselor. Hortatzi 47, Rethymnon,
email: cparnassus@hotmail.com
Mob: 6977 559644,
Professional
Services
Lawyers/Solicitors
Niki Alexoudi. Lawyer, Greek &
English-speaking. Tel: 28214 01135
Legal Advice, Nic Thornhill,
Rethymno, Tel. 6942 783337
Investment
de Vere Group, Greece. Asset/
wealth management & retirement
planning. crete@devere-group.com
Contact: Mike +30 6932 470023

CIC Business Directory
Real Estate
Atrium Crete Estates. Armeni,
Chania, Johanna Fröhlking,
Tel: 28250 41440, email: info@
atriumcrete.com,
www.atriumcrete.com
Hania Rentals Search Service.
K. Sarpaki 38, Chania, Debra
Papadinoff, Tel: 6938 639823, email:
haniarentals@yahoo.com
Homeland Real Estate. Platia
Agnostou, Rethymnon, Crete
Select Properties
65a Daskalogianni Street, Chania.
Residential, land and commercial,
Harvey Smith, 6943 613849, e mail:
info@selectproperties-gr.com
Restaurants/Cafes/
Bars
Café Vafe. Petropoulakidon 21,
Platea Vafe, Nea Hora, Chania,
Tel: 28210 88849
Cretan Corner. Megala Horafia,
Chania, Sue Harris Kokotsaki, Tel:
28250 32241, email: skokmegh@
hotmail.com
El Mundo Bar. Kondilaki 35, Old
Harbour, Chania, Thedore Hnaras,
Tel: 28210 880440
Glossitses, Nu Authentic Greek
Cusine, Akti Enoseos 4, Chania Old
Harbour, Tel. 28210 59074, email:
glossitses@gmail.com
Kalamaki Restaurant-Bar-Café.
Kato Galatas, Chania, Alexandra
Mihelakis, Tel: 28210 33100, email:
alexmih@otenet.gr
Kantina Stavros. Good food and
drinks at the nice beach of Stavros.
Tel: 28210 39474
Sinatra’s Cafe Bar. Georgioupolis,
25m west of square across from the
butchers.
To Xani Restaurant-Café, Parodos
Kondylaki, Old Port Chania,
Margie Poultidis, Tel: 28210 75795
Sports
Diving Centre
Kalypso Rocks Palace Diving
Centre, Sofokli Venizelou 4a,
74100 Rethymno, Crete. www.
ka;lypsodivingcentre.com
Travel
Nature & Adventure Tourist
Agency. Sofokli Venizelou 4a,
74100 Rethymno, Crete. web: www.
nat-adv.gr, Tel: 28310 56641
Retail Stores
Albatros. Jewellery, silver, and
leatherware. Betolo 33, Chania,
Tel: 28210 59277
Anastasia. Ethnic handicrafts,
Native American items. Kondilaki
33, Chania, Tel: 2821087160, email:
karenincrete@yahoo.com
COCO_MAT CHANIA Ecological
products: Matresses-Furniture-Home
Accessories Pithari Akrotiriou, Chania
Tel 28210 49249 email: chania@
coco-mat.com
Eureka! Vintage, retro, nearly-new,
second-hand shop. Smyrnis 1B,
behind bus station, Chania.
Tel: 69730 5696 Chania. Tel: 28210
40676
Marianna’s Workshop. Natural
oil/traditional natural products.
Maroulas, Rethymnon, Tel: 28310
72432, mariannas@can.gr
Oikos Rethymno: Home decorations
and unique furniture. Tel: 28310
30214 www.oikosrethymno.com
info@oikosrethymno.com
To Xani, Handicrafts, Furnishings,
Gifts, Kondylaki 26, Chania,
Margie Poultidis, Tel: 28210 75795,
toxani@gmail.com
Other
Koumani Environmental
Sustainability & Ecology; Language
Training Samonas 73003 Xania
Mob. 6970 862835, email: robert@
burlumi.com
Living Waters Church Advancing
God’s Kingdom, Tiffany, 7 Troulou,
Aroni, Chania 73100, 28240 65645,
peter-needham@hotmail.com
Papakonstantinou Georgia,
Kampani, Akrotiriou, 73100 Chania,
Tel 28210 50371, Mob. 6977 69086,
email: georgia.papak@hotmail.com
Artemis Case, Interior & Exterior
Design, Crafts, Restoration, Estate
Consulting, Adele - Rethymno Post
Box 636, Crete, Tel 6942 595207,
email: artemis_casa@yahoo.gr
Horse Riding Instructor. Lessons,
help with problems, stable/horse
sitting etc. Tel: 6947 786518
HAVE YOU REALLY
LOOKED AT THE
CIC WEBSITE
www.thecic.eu
The Recipes pages
are full of ideas
using local goods.
Questions
Answers
Problems
Solutions
Communicate
on our
FORUM
www.thecic.eu
32 June 2011

33 June 2011
CIC Red Cross Excursions Coffee Morning
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
A heartfelt
Thank You from the
Hellenic Red Cross
The coffee morning at our house was once
again a most pleasurable success.
Over 90 guests came and we raised 820 euros -
which was split equally between the Samarites Rescue Group and the Sisters of the Rethymno branch of
the HRC. Our special thanks goes out to all who came , made such delicious cakes and helped on the day.
This money will be spent locally both to help in the safety of our community and to assist families in need.
Eveleen and I helped at Easter with the packing of 200 food parcels containing both dried and fresh food
to known needy Rethymno families, whilst Ann & Ian Clayton helped the Chania branch distribute 250
parcels.
All four of us, were saddened to see very well dressed Greek gentlemen quietly coming into the HRC offices
to see if their families could also be added to the list of those in need. We can all understand that this must
take both courage and desperation. Some of our friends now regularly buy an extra item each time they
go to the supermarket, so that by the end of the month, they can bring us a box of food. Clearly all of us
are finding rising fuel and food prices worrying, but perhaps we can consider those in worse circumstances
than our selves.
We started fund raising for the Rethymno branch of the HRC in November 2005, and with contributions
from the CIC Christmas fairs in Chania, trips, concerts, and our coffee mornings,
The total sum raised by us all so far has reached ........
13,504 euros
Bob and Eveleen Wright,
Villa Estia Maroulas
28310 71221
bobandev@otenet.gr

CIC Times Advertising & Classifieds
Advertising in the CIC Times
You must be a member of the CIC to place an advert.
Format: We would prefer to have high-resolution .pdf, .jpeg, .eps,
or .tif files.
Ad Sizes:
full page
h:280mm x w:200mm
half page
h:280mm x w:99mm (portrait)
half page
h:139mm x w:200mm (landscape)
quarter page h:139mm x w:99mm
eighth page h:68.5mm x w:99mm
Deadline: The 15th of the month prior to publication. (We cannot accept
adverts for publication unless paid for by the submission deadline.)
Corrections: We can correct errors only in the electronic form of our
publication. Corrections to the printed matter will appear in the next
month’s publication and we will extend your ad for one additional month at
no cost to you.
How to Submit your Advert:
By Phone: Call the advertising department on 6938 639823. If you cannot
reach the advertising manager, call any board member. (see below for
payment option)
By email: email your advert file in any format listed above to cictimesads@
thecic.eu (see below for payment option)
In person: You can print an advert form from the website, or you can ask
for a form from the drop off location. Insert the completed form and the fee
in an envelope, mark the envelope CIC Advertising and leave with the store
attendant. We will pick it up by the deadline.
Advertising Rates:
Classified Advertising*
Layout Fee
Change Fee
(if applicable)
Up to 30 words €3.00 none €1.00
Up to 50 words €4.50 none €1.00
Display Advertising*
Layout Fee
Change Fee
(if applicable)
1/8 page €7.50 €5.00 €3.00
1/4 page €15.00 €5.00 €3.00
1/2 page €22.50 €10.00 €3.00
Full page €37.50 €10.00 €3.00
*Special Offer: Pay for 5 months and receive 1 month free; pay for 10
months and receive 2 months free.
How to Pay for your Advert:
Cash: Complete an advertising form, insert form and fee in an envelope and
drop at one of the places listed below.
* TO PAZARI (second hand shop) Daskaloyianni 46, Old Town Chania
Credit Card: Go to our website www.thecic.eu, on the home page click on
advertising in the CIC Times. Click on the link in Submit your Payment online.
You can log in to your Pay Pal account - or create a Pay pal account if you do
not have one - or use a credit card.
Bank Deposit: to Agrotiki Trapeza / Agricultural Bank, Kalyves Branch: IBAN
Nr: GR93 0433 1400 0016 8010 1045 282, Account no: 1680101045282
(please reference details (your name, your headline, etc) of your payment to
accommodate our Treasurer’s work).
Post: Insert your advert form and fee in an envelope and post to CIC
ADVERTS, Daskaloyianni 46, 73100 Chania, Crete.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENT.
Fully refurbished old Turkish house in the Old
Town of Rethymno. Kitchen,
living room area, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
with shower, balcony, flat roof
arranged on 3 floors. Air conditon. All furniture
and household appliances
included. Price: 115.000 euro
Images: http://www.rethymnoguide.com/
elisabeth/ Contact: Elisabeth
698-200-6949
Kivotos Tou Noe—Kriti Animal Shelter
Dropping off items for re-sale at To ∏aζápı, the secondhand
shop Ask the staff to donate your share of the
proceeds to Kivotos Tou Noe–Kriti (Account #1768).
And if you no longer need any of the following items –
new or used – please, please donate them to our animals:
Plastic dog or cat crates, all sizes
Cushioned, washable pet beds, all sizes
Leashes and collars
For a painless donation of any suitable pet items, call
Mary Olsen and arrange for their pick-up. 693 419 7767
Kivotos Tou Noe–Kriti:
Saving animals’ lives
Finding them good homes
Promoting responsible ownership
Raising public awareness
Because you care about them,
we can care for them.
34 June 2011

35 June 2011
Wordweavers
•••••••••••••••
WORDWEAVERS
The following is a selection from members of WORDWEAVERS, the new
creative writing group. Maria Verivaki combines the old customs of Greece
with short stories, Janet Merza researches aspects of Greek history and Linda
Talbot writes fantasy fiction, based on Greek mythology. If you would like
to join WORDWEAVERS contact Linda at lintalgr@yahoo.co.uk or ring her on
28210 62913 or 694 624 7837.
the CHOCOLATE wrapper
Throughout my youth, I lived in a village. To get
out of the village, I knew I had to get married.
To get married, my parents had to find me an
eligible husband. It was also to their advantage
for me to get married; I had younger sisters, and
they also had to get married. If I didn’t start the
ball rolling, they would remain unmarried too,
because if the first one doesn’t get married off,
then the next one won’t be seen as eligible.
That was the rule back then. We lived in a
mountainous village; it wasn’t a place where
a person could get ahead in life. The males of
the village were themselves leaving for lower
ground. It was a hopeless situation. What’s more,
we weren’t well off, and we had literally no
dowry to our name, save the rolls of cloth that
we’d woven on the loom, in the daylight hours
that remained after we had busied ourselves in
the daily struggle to procure and prepare our
food. We also wove blankets and rugs, which
we kept stashed away in our trousseaus as we
finished each piece.
By my twientieth birthday, I knew it was time to
start looking seriously for a husband. We didn’t
have many contacts. It’s always more difficult to
get married under these circumstances. Men are
fussy; they are always looking for a woman with
a handsome dowry. If she couldn’t provide that,
then she should at least be beautiful. Few will
look to a woman’s wifely qualities. My mother
did everything she could to help me find a man.
We attended the village church services
regularly, in the hope that a good man needing
a wife might have been the same thing and
The Chocolate Wrapper - Maria Verivaki
Why not share your
passion for your
favourite hobby
or pastime
SUBMIT AN
ARTICLE TO
editor@thecic.eu
And let others know
how much fun it is
to............!
spotted her in the congregation. Whenever
we heard about a paniyiri or were invited to
a wedding, we made sure to attend, and my
mother would ask the other villagers about all
the men sitting at the other tables, if they were
available. Whenever my mother saw strangers
walking the village paths, she’d dash to find
out who they were and why they were there,
and invite them to our house. ‘You’ve travelled
so far away to come here,’ she’d say, ‘come in
and refresh yourself before you leave us.’ She
counted on these people to remember us at a
future date.
Sometimes we would be told by a neighbour
about an eligible groom who had shown
interest in our family. Our family friend, Niovi,
once tried to act as a go-between on my behalf.
She had made the effort to speak well to some
of her contacts about
my family. She told
them that we were
very noble villagers,
despite our poverty.
This often makes a
good impression. It
makes us out as hardworking,
proud and
hospitable people.
These virtues are
highly regarded in
mountain culture.

36 June 2011
Wordweavers
•••••••••••••••
The Chocolate Wrapper - Maria Verivaki
One of Niovi’s contacts sent Andrea to visit our
village. Andrea couldn’t come straight to see me
or my family; he had to go to Niovi’s house, where
he stood out in the yard for quite some time until
my mother noticed him.
«There’s the groom,» she whispered to me as
she stood by the window in the room - the only
room of our house. She went outside to the
stamna, on the pretext of needing water. I wasn’t
allowed to see him at all. Arrangements had to
be made first by the parents of the bride through
the go-between. We could not be warned about
Andreas’ arrival, so we could not really make any
preparations. The house had to be clean and tidy
at all times, and I had to be ready at the drop of a
hat to make sure that I could put on my one and
only dress and spruce myself up. I had bought
some material from the town with the money I
earned from olive picking, and had sewn my one
and only dress by myself. I was so proud of that
dress; it was the first time I was wearing a floral
design!
bold colour, like red or blue. Their shoes had a
pointy tip at the front and were tied to the back
of their foot which was supported by a long fine
heel. They always wore stockings, and they always
carried a coat, even if they did not wear it. «It’s so
much cooler up here!» they’d say.
Their hair was so tidy, all the bangs piled up neatly
in curly layers. It reminded me of a cascading
waterfall, like the ones we often saw in the framed
pictures hanging on the wall in a shop when
the rare occasion arose that we went into the
town. Their lips were red and their cheeks looked
flushed. How did their faces look so rosy in all
weather
It was Niovi who told me the secret to their rosy
cheeks. She had given me the chocolate wrapper.
saving it especially for me, and passing it onto me
and my sisters secretly. «Rub the wrapper on your
cheeks. It will leave a pinky red hue on them.» She
showed me how to do it by rubbing the paper on
her hand below her thumb and forefinger. The
wrapper left a faint cloudy red hue on her skin.
Finally, Andreas and Niovi walked together by
our house. They did not initially come towards
the house. My mother came out of the door and
beckoned them to come in.
«You’ve come a long way to get here - come by
our house, too!»
We did not often look at ourselves in the mirror.
It was not the done thing to worry about our
appearance. But today was one of those days that
demanded it. I wanted to look like those town
women who came up to the village to visit their
kin. They wore a gold chain round their necks,
with a cross dangling off it, and maybe a gold
bracelet on one of their hands, while their other
hand sported a watch. They usually wore their
wedding ring with another ring on top of it - was
it out of fear of losing that symbolic band - and
that ring often held a precious stone in a deep

37 June 2011
Wordweavers
•••••••••••••••
The Chocolate Wrapper - Maria Verivaki
»Now go and bring the man a glass of water so that
he may refresh himself,» my mother reprimanded
me, as I had just sat down. I made my way to the
cabinet and brought out two glasses. The pitcher of
water sat by the hearth. As I picked it up, I realised
it was nearly empty. Horrors! What would Andreas
and Niovi be thinking about us We were like the
unprepared virgins in the parable; we were not
ready to receive the bridegroom.
We were all waiting in anticipation in the stable
room, where the animals are kept at night. We had
no other room in the house to hide in. We weren’t
really hiding; we were just waiting until our mother
told us to enter the house. We could hear the
general pleasantries being exchanged, and then
finally, a plate placed on the table. Mother had
brought out the koulourakia.
«The water urn is empty,» I apologised to everyone
in the room. «I’ll go and refill it.» This was not the
most appropriate job for me in my floral dress.
Water was bound to spill on me, and I would be
put in an ungraceful position: back bent over the
well, a heavy object in my embrace. I tried to think
positively; this was an opportunity for Andreas to
see me in my role as keeper of the house.
«Zafiria!» She called out to me at this point. «Bring
out the tzerevelo nuts*!»
Nervously smoothing down the skirt of my dress,
I entered the room slowly, without looking at
anyone. I went straight to the small set of shelves
that had been built into the wall. We had prepared
the bowl of tzerevelo earlier and covered it
with a clean tea towel. A small carafe of raki had
been placed right next to the bowl, with the raki
glasses ready. As I carried the bowl to the table,
from the corner of my eye, I could discern that
Andreas was a handsome man, a real leventi.
After leaving the plate on the table, I took a seat
on one of the divans. We had covered them with
one of my weaving creations: a bright red coverlet
with coloured tassles strung around the edges. It
brightened up the otherwise dull grey colours of
the room.
It was a positively warm day. Although the slight
breeze kept the air cool, the hot sun burned the
skin where no shade could be provided. We kept
the well covered with brushwood so that animals
did not fall in. As I filled the pail and poured the
water into the urn, I thought about where Andrea
might be taking me. I knew he was from a village
located on the lower slopes of the mountain. That
was good; it wasn’t necessary for me to live in the
town, but anywhere on lower ground sounded
good to me. The mountains had been my home
and playground all my life. They did not mesmerise
me; they signalled isolation, poverty, a stagnant
inertia that clouded my mind, gnawing away at my
dreams, filling me with desolation.

38 June 2011
Wordweavers
•••••••••••••••
The Chocolate Wrapper - Maria Verivaki
happened out there Couldn’t you fetch
some water without scratching yourself» I
had no idea what she was talking about. One
of my sisters took out her handkerchief and
moistened it with some water. She rushed
towards me and began wiping down my
cheeks. She had a frightened look on her face.
I noticed a pinky red stain on the linen. What
on earth had happened to me
*** *** ***
The sun was streaking its rays through a
distant cloud. All of a sudden, the mountain
peak which was covered in snow took on
a brilliant shine that lit the afternoon sky.
The urn had finally filled to the top, spilling
a little over the rim. My hands were dry and
dusty, streaked brown by the moistened dirt.
I carefully washed my hands, taking care not
to stain my floral patterned dress, the one
pretty item I owned that reminded me that I
was a woman in search of comfort. Just before
I picked up the urn, I rubbed my moist clean
hands over my face to refresh my skin. The
cool water provided a welcome relief from the
heat.
I picked up the stamna and made my way back
to the house. As I entered the room, everyone
looked up. «What took you so l--.» My mother
finished her sentence with a jolt. She was
staring intently at me. As was everyone else,
including Andreas.
My mother finally broke the silence. «What
Nothing else was said about the incident.
Andreas and Niovi did not stay long, nor did
they say much. In any case, I was too stunned
to remember any of the conversation. They
drank their coffee in quick deep swills, and
then they moved on, she to her house,
Andreas to his donkey, presumably to ride
back down the hill to his lower village home.
Needless to say, I never saw Andreas again. I
threw away all the chocolate wrappers, and
it had been decided mutually that our family
must never talk to Niovi again. That woman
gave us nothing but trouble. Hopefully
Andreas will keep the incident to himself.
*Tzerevelo: a kind of nut, rarely prepared and
consumed in modern times.
The black-and-white photos have been taken
from George Meis postcard and calendar
photography, and John Donat’s photography
book «Crete 1960».
©All Rights Reserved/Maria Verivaki-Organically
Cooked

39 June 2011
Wordweavers
•••••••••••••••
Alexandria - Janet Merza
Alexandria
Alexandria, known as the Pearl of the
Mediterranean, was founded around 331BC
by Alexander the Great. However, despite it
carrying his name, he doesn’t seem to have
intended it to be the capital of his empire as
he left a few months after its foundation and
never returned.
Within 100 years of its foundation it was the
largest city in the Western world and some
centuries later, it was still second in size only
to Rome. It remained the capital of Egypt for
nearly 1,000 years, until the Moslem conquest
of North Africa in the 7 th century AD.
Museum). The Alexandria Royal Library was
the first to make a serious effort to collect
books (papyrus rolls actually) from other
countries and other cultures.
It not only sent buyers to book fairs in Rhodes
and Athens, but it allegedly also searched
every ship that came into port, confiscated
any book found and had it copied. History is
unclear whether the original was then given
back to the owner, or whether the library
When Alexander first came to this bit of Egypt,
there was nothing to see apart from the small
island of Pharos, which was joined to the
mainland by a mole nearly 1 mile long called
the Heptastadion. This word literally means
the seven stadia, and a stadium was a Greek
unit of length of approximately 180metres.
Alexander saw the potential of this site and
ordered the construction of the city, laid out
as a grid of parallel streets, each with its own
subterranean canal.
After Alexander’s death Alexandria was
ruled by his general Ptolemy, who began
building the famous Lighthouse, although he
didn’t live to see it finished. This lighthouse,
or Pharos, took 12 years to complete and
apparently stood 138 metres high. It was one
of the Wonders of the Ancient World and
became the prototype for all later lighthouses.
The other major construction that Alexandria
is famous for is, of course, the Library. This is
thought to have been founded early in the 3 rd
century BC and started at the Temple of the
Muses, or Museion (giving English the word
only returned the copy and kept the original
for itself. The library is famous for both its
extensive contents and the fact that it got
burnt down and much unique knowledge
lost, but actually it suffered numerous fires
during its existence – dry papyrus rolls and oil
lamps don’t go well together. More than once
a major fire destroyed a significant quantity of
the library’s contents and the curators had to
start the arduous process of collection all over
again.

40 June 2011
Wordweavers
•••••••••••••••
Alexander’s general Ptolemy managed
to found a dynasty that ruled Egypt for
hundreds of years and Alexandria became a
centre for Hellenism. Greek was the language
of the court, of business, of scholarship and
of the aristocracy. In fact, the Cleopatra of
Shakespeare fame was the first Ptolemy
to bother to learn the local language of
Egyptian.
Alexandria was not only a major centre of
Greek culture, it also had the largest Jewish
community in the world (hence, presumably,
Moses mission to lead his people out of
Egypt and into a land of their own).
This rich mix of cultures created a wealthy,
sophisticated city that was a magnet for
traders, scholars and artisans, all of whom
flourished in her urbane environment.
Alexandria offered a remarkably high
standard of living for her inhabitants, not
only in terms of advanced infrastructure
but also in the niceties of life. For example,
as early as 150BC, passers-by could use an
Alexandria - Janet Merza
automatic vending machine that took a 5
drachma coin and dispensed ceremonial
water.
The last of the Greek Ptolemies was
Cleopatra who famously tried, but failed, to
prevent Roman domination of Egypt in the
1 st century BC. From that time on, Alexandria
became a Roman city, until 365AD when it
was devastated by a tsunami, generated by
an earthquake off the coast of Crete.
The earthquake has been estimated at 8
on the Richter scale and it destroyed nearly
all Cretan towns, and caused widespread
destruction on the Greek mainland, North
Africa, Cyprus and Sicily. The following
tsunami devastated Libya, Alexandria and
the Nile Delta, killing thousands and hurling
ships nearly two miles inland. The same
earthquake is thought to have caused the
sudden uplift of Western Crete by 9 metres,
which made the harbour at Phalasarna
redundant overnight.
Alexandria never really recovered from this
disaster, which was commemorated annually
for hundreds of years as a “day of horror”. It
limped on, until the 7 th century AD when it
was captured by the Persians, recovered by
the Byzantines and then taken by the Arabs.
Its glory days were well and truly over by
the time Napoleon’s army arrived in the 18 th
century and found just a sparsely populated
fishing village on the site. Later the Turkish
Ottomans redeveloped Alexandria and it
recovered some of its former beauty, just in
time for Britain to bombard and occupy it at
the end of the 19 th century.
Now, finally, for the first time in its long
existence, it is wholly and incontrovertibly
Egyptian.

Wordweavers
•••••••••••••••
BLISSFUL BEDS AND
THE ECOLOGICAL ECHO ROOM
From a palatial day bed to mattresses named Afrodite and Iviskos,
the showroom of Coco-Mat in Pithari- Akrotiriou burgeons with furniture
and fabrics created entirely from raw natural products – from goose down,
horsehair and cactus, to seaweed, natural rubber and
coco fibre. What is more, each item is named after an
ancient Greek.
But Coco-Mat is not a mere showroom. This
complex, inside and out, offers a unique opportunity
for creative artists. Downstairs, is a huge, whitewalled
room, ideal for large paintings, sculpture,
mixed exhibitions, theatre and dance. At present,
being empty, there is a resounding echo, but this will
decrease as it is filled.
“This space is offered free of charge,” says
Argiro Tserkaki, who runs the furniture showroom.
Blissful Beds... - Linda Talbot
And outside there are impressive
gardens, including a generous paved space, a
children’s playground, football pitch, plots of
herbs and rare plants – even a small house with
use of kitchen and bathroom . All activities are
free.
“We just want people to visit and
make use of the facilities,” says Argiro, “We had
children from a special school before Easter,
making candles. We provide all the materials
and we welcome parties and workshops – any
activities suitable for this space. We plan soon
to have animals. We even have a horse at one of
our branches.”
41 June 2011

Wordweavers
•••••••••••••••
Blissful Beds... - Linda Talbot
This Greek company was launched 20 years ago by two ecologicallyminded
brothers, and now has 37 branches world wide, from New York to
Barcelona and Amsterdam. Coco-Mat uses 100% natural raw materials from
sustainable sources and there are specialist designers, using these materials
with skill and imagination, from Dutchman Edward van Vliet to Giorgos Kyriazis
from Greece.
Kyriazis says, “Coco-Mat impressed me from the beginning – a company
whose products and design were based on the philosophy of sustainability. The
fact it managed to stay true to this philosophy and successfully promote it to
the market is a huge achievement, especially if you’re faced with a competition
which doesn’t possess such ‘sensibilities.’”
Even waste from Coco-Mat’s chimney-less factories, is used for items
such as wallets and pencil holders, and fabric bags are used instead of plastic.
As Theophrastos said, “ If there is a purpose in nature, it is not to serve
mankind but to ensure the perpetual reproduction of all.”
“Twice a year we have a “pillow week”, when people are given a pillow to
stuff with a choice of natural materials,” says Argiro. This too is free.
“Even when we go round selling catalogues, we ride bicycles,” she adds.
42 June 2011

Wordweavers
•••••••••••••••
Blissful Beds... - Linda Talbot
The firm supplies hotels in
European cities with samples of their goods
and gives people vouchers to test them. On
metal free beds there are mattresses with
combinations including coco fibre, hard
wearing and good for ventilation, horsehair
which regulates humidity, and seaweed,
containing the trace element iodine, a
constituent of thyroid hormones, essential
to health and which protects from allergies. And there are layers of cactus fibres,
which keep the air dry.
For furniture, hard woods without chemical processing are used and
there is a wide range of fabrics and items from carpets and curtains to cushions.
Coco-Mat has received many awards, including the Greek Business Award for
Environmentally Friendly Products last year. Factory employees come from 13
nationalities with nine religions. Ten per cent have disabilities but are readily
integrated into this democratically minded workforce.
Coco-Mat would like to open a
branch in every capital of the world, but
admitting people are temporary inhabitants
of the planet, there is no plan to survive
at all costs. As a spokesman says, “Perhaps
if companies did not aim to last for ever
they would show a greater fairness and
responsibility towards the environment, their
people, their customers, even their owners.”
Hania artist Maria Malaxianaki plans
to display five of her intricate paintings
upstairs at Coco-Mat and anyone interested
in using the unique space downstairs – or
outside – is invited to contact Argiro on
28210 49249 or email: chania@coco-mat.com.
43 June 2011

A Letter from Italy - Ann Freeman
••••••••••••••••••••••
Letter from Italy -
a return to Crete
Three years after moving to Italy we
returned to Crete for a short visit. As always
we arrived at 6am in the port of Heraklion
and began the drive to the Apokoronas.
The first impression was the dramatic
beauty of the island. Had we forgotten I
don’t think so, but it was breathtaking. As
we neared Rethymnon the Lefki Ore came
Nothing had changed, it was all the same.
Well it was only three years, but somehow
it is a surprise to find that life goes on
without you.
Friendships though were altered. People
who used to be friends no longer saw each
other and some, like us, had left.
into sight and we were home. How could
we ever have left Well that’s a story for
another time.
We were back with our dog to stay in our
son’s house near Lake Kournas.
Half an hour after unpacking the car we
were down in Georgeopolis looking for
ouzo and retsina. We walked along the
little promenade and took the puppy for a
swim in the river where our old dogs had
cooled themselves many times.
Over the next few days we met with and
visited our friends, took a sneaky look at
our old village house and walked the dog
in familiar old places.
Our visit coincided with the 70th
anniversary of the Battle of Crete and we
were there with friends as we had been
for many years, singing and praying and
thinking about the boys who will never
leave.
Many times we talked about the CIC and
how we had met nearly all our friends
through the walks and taverna lunches.
Italy was forgotten for a week. Even the
greek language was filtering back in.
If all this sounds sentimental, well that’s
how it was.
ANN FREEMAN
29th May 2011
UMBRIA
44 June 2011

...........and FINALLY!
••••••••••••••••••••••••
45
June 2011
Cattle Egrets........
or just a bit confused
Rare in northern Europe,
these Cattle Egrets found the
perfect place to spend the
winter months away from
their more usual breeding
grounds in the south of
France or northern Spain -
TAVRONITIS 20kms west of
Chania.
Up to 19 of these attractive
members of the Stork and
Heron family have adapted
to life in Crete in a slightly
unusual way. More used to
foraging on and amongst
cattle, our lack of cows here
on Crete has encouraged
the Egrets to explore new
territory - sheep.
It is unlikely that bird
watchers will ask for them to
be re named as Sheep Egrets.
Check out all of the bird and
nature news on these
websites:
www.cretewww.com
http://www.freewebs.com/
colnsue/
http://www.ornithologiki.gr/
page_in.phptID=2679
Ed.
Thanks to Viv Walker for these excellent photographs.