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Eleni And The Christmas Stranger
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Message posted by maggy on 03 January 2010 at 7:53pm - IP Logged
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Receiving the book Eleni as a Christmas present,written by Nicholas Gage her son ,who is trying to establish who was responsible for his mothers death during the Greek Civil War.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I came upon a passage that suggested that on Christmas Day, Eleni or Greeks also filled a plate for the Christmas Stranger,who she/they believed to be the Christ Child!
Eleni didn't wait for the stranger to arrive but sent one of her daughters with the food to some relatives who were starving.
My extra plate was set inadvertently,but I can't help wondering how many other Nationalities set a place for the Christmas Stranger!
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Message posted by tully on 03 January 2010 at 8:21pm - IP Logged
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Hi Maggie,
The Polish girl that I work with, told me about her traditional Xmas. They eat fish not meat for there Xmas Meal, which is eaten on Christmas Eve.
It's a 12 dish meal, and they always set a place for a stranger, in case anyone hasn't got anywhere to go, they can knock on any door and will be welcome.
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Message posted by Linda2 on 03 January 2010 at 11:29pm - IP Logged
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Maggy, you have hit upon something. I do hope you enjoy Eleni - it is one of the most memorable books I have read.
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Message posted by Elliemay on 03 January 2010 at 11:42pm - IP Logged
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Have read Eleni thrice now. Find that is a really intriguing book and an eye opener to what went on in Greece in the past.
Perhaps something that us as holidaymakers need to understand.
Was going to give it as a gift to a Greek friend called Eleni, but after reading it, thought that it may not be such a good idea. So I still have to read again, and again and again.
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Message posted by S and J on 04 January 2010 at 12:16am - IP Logged
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I'll put it on my list of books to read. I always make more than is needed at christmas so any stranger is always welcome to share a meal with us.
Sandra
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Message posted by mathsboffin on 04 January 2010 at 12:50am - IP Logged
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I have this book along with another written by his daughter I think, waiting for my next Corfu trip in April. Keep wanting to read them, but so far I have beaten the temptation. Hope Eleni is as good as some of you have described.
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Message posted by Lavinia on 04 January 2010 at 1:10am - IP Logged
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I agree that Eleni is a wonderful story (which I find particularly poignant as I lived in Epirus for 18 months in the early 1970s). I have to say that I found the grandaughter's book very disappointing.
As for the Christmas stranger - do any of you remember being asked to leave something on your plate for "Mr.Manners"? Or did any of you have an imaginary friend for whom a place had to be laid and food provided?
Wouldn't it be great if this year we could all find a person or a family who would appreciate being our occasional "Christmas friends" and for whom we could provide Sunday lunch or a helping hand when needed?
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Message posted by maggy on 04 January 2010 at 1:30am - IP Logged
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Without giving too much away,I can understand why our neighbours aged seventy five plus still eat Kokoretsi (Kids Intestines)and Saligari land snails,I confess I've tasted the Saligari but spat them out and told our neighbour they were delicious!
If only I could speak Greek,I'm sure our neighbours being that age could inform me more of what hardships they endured in their life times.
To me they still live a hard life but suspect it's by choice and not necessity, as old habits die hard and the waste not want not attitude they still abide by.
I have much respect for their way of life and often wonder in amazement at the things that they do.
Perhaps the old ways are the best ways !
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