Fortuitous Encounter | 不期而遇

We accidentally found out about the annual traditional village festival (panegyric) celebrating their village guardian, Saint Paraskevi, happening these two nights when we randomly strolled through the seemingly sleepy village of Monodentri.

Fortuitous encounter (不期而遇) is one of the things that makes the travel style of backpacking so addicting to me - the surprises, the unexpected people and things you meet that you cannot plan or create. What are the chances that you and them or it happen to be at the same place, at the same time, meeting at that moment in time?

每個相遇是難得而神奇的緣分。

Each encounter is a precious and wondrous twist of fate.

The Saint Paraskevi celebration starts at the village’s monastery at 8-9 pm, followed by the villagers gathering in the main square to dance with live music, souvlaki, and lots of drinking.  You know you are at the right place when you find no English in the menu. The music in the mountains of Greece is more mellow compared to the islands’, reminding me of the music from Okinawa in Japan.  Folks dance in a circle holding hands with simple steps as easy to pick up as bachata.  

As the only Asian there, we stood out from the crowd.  As we munched our souvlaki on the stone steps at the edge of the square, a local made eye contact with Charlie, signalling him to join the dance.  The next thing we know, we joined the dancing circle, trying to follow along fumblingly.

Sofia, Aidan and Charlie dancing.

Afterwards, Aidan and Sofia excitedly shared their strategy for learning the steps.   The kids complained there was nothing to do in the villages, not wanting to get out of the car to take a walk at Monodetri.  This unexpected festival is a great opportunity for them to experience - you never know what you will find just strolling into a place without intention, and let things happen.  Life often surprises you in good ways and sometimes bad ways.  This is what makes life fun.      

We wrapped up the night with a shot of Tsipouro, made from grapes in the mountain area, unlike Ouzo, drunk in the islands.  Tsipouro has a sharp, lingering taste, unlike the round, silkiness of Raki we’ve tried in Permet, which I preferred.  The kids joked that Tsipouro is perfect to warm me up on a cool summer night.

Tsipouro