Greeks celebrate run up to Lent

In the run up to Lent there are a kinds of festivals and celebrations in Greece, usually accompanied by some delicious dish. Tsiknopempti or "Ash Thursday" was no exception as the country turns into a huge barbecue pit and people gorge themselves on soulaki, sausages and steaks all liberally washed down with ouzo, retsina or wine. As this is also the carnival season people need little excuse to put on fancy dress and head for a party often held in the streets.

Happy birthday Asteris!!! - Chronia Polla

Yesterday was a full day with lessons to go to, protests to cover and parties to attend. The highlight of the day was Asteris's party which attracted the creme de la creme of the Greek language blogosphere. Anyone who is anyone on Twitter, blogs etc was there. Also it was great once again to see all the people whose work I follow on the net in real life. There was plenty of laughter, ribbing, gossip, dancing and plain ol' fun, which put paid to that tired old cliche that us bloggers write about life as we do not have one our own. Pictures can be found here.

I just spent the last few minutes catching up on everyone's via Twitter and once again it reinforces my belief that social media is all about being social, allowing us to connect with others in ways that were not possible beforehand. In a city as big as Thessaloniki it would be very difficult otherwise to meet and keep in contact with so many like minded people without the internet.

Party at Cafe Carbola

Αγαπημένοι μας φίλοι και υποστηρικτές,

"Την Τετάρτη 5 Μαρτίου 2008 η Fair Trade Hellas στη Θεσσαλονίκη σας προσκαλεί σε μία συνάντηση όλων των εθελοντών και υποστηρικτών της στο Cafe Carbola (Καρμπολά και Τοσίτσα) στο κέντρο της Θεσσαλονίκης που στηρίζει το δίκαιο και αλληλέγγυο εμπόριο.

Θα είμαστε όλοι εκεί από τις 6 το απόγευμα έως το βράδυ και θα σας περιμένουμε με χαρούμενη και γιορτινή διάθεση για μια ξεχωριστή βραδιά.'

"Dear friends and supporters,

On Wednesday 5th March, 2008 Fair Trade Hellas, Thessaloniki invites you to a get together of volunteers and supporters of fair and mutual trade in Cafe Karabola, on the corner of Carbla and Tsitsa) in the centre of Thessaloniki.

We'll be there from 6pm till late and we'll waiting for you with smiles and lots of fun for a special night."

Last night's party

Last night's party at the Altromercato store in Vyranos 6 was a great success and didn't finish till the small hours of the next morning.

Party tonite

Party tonite, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Το κατάστημα Altromercato της Fair Trade Hellas στη Θεσσαλονίκη (Βύρωνος 6) σας προσκαλεί την Τετάρτη 27 Φεβρουαρίου 2008 σε ένα πάρτι μασκέ με μουσική από τη Λατινική Αμερική, με mojitos και γεύσεις από όλο τον αναπτυσσόμενο κόσμο.

Το πάρτι θα ξεκινήσει στις 20.00.

The Altromercato's Fair Trade Hellas store in Thessaloniki (Vyronos 6) invites you to a party maske with Latin music, mojitos on Wednesday 27th February with dishes from all over the developing world.

The party starts at 20.00

If you get there early you'll have the chance to sample my world renowned chilli con carne. Book early to avoid disappointment (the ER, that is).

Party on Wednesday

Picture by Highenergy_technopop.

Το κατάστημα Altromercato της Fair Trade Hellas στη Θεσσαλονίκη (Βύρωνος 6) σας προσκαλεί την Τετάρτη 27 Φεβρουαρίου 2008 σε ένα πάρτι μασκέ με μουσική από τη Λατινική Αμερική, με mojitos και γεύσεις από όλο τον αναπτυσσόμενο κόσμο.

Το πάρτι θα ξεκινήσει στις 20.00.

The Altromercato's Fair Trade Hellas store in Thessaloniki (Vyronos 6) invites you to a party maske with Latin music, mojitos on Wednesday 27th February with dishes from all over the developing world.

The party starts at 20.00

Over the weekend

More pictures from the party.