I doubt that I have a single drop of Greek blood coursing through my veins. 
For better or worse, I suppose I have more in common with Mrs. Miller, Toula’s future mother-in-law in the surprise hit film My Big Fat Greek Wedding than I do with Toula’s own mother and aunts.
Greek women live life large—not just in the movies! I had a few friends with Greek heritage in high school, and I remember admiring their strong family ties, their vibrant community and church. Not to mention, their sleek dark hair, gorgeous skin and eyes. Big’s first best friend in nursery school was Constantine, and shortly after his younger brother was born, the family flew to Greece for George’s baptism. When I saw the amazing pictures, I admit I was a little jealous.
Happily, this weekend, even I can be Greek at Saint George’s annual Greek Festival. 
Tours of the beautiful downtown church are offered throughout the weekend.
Greek music and dancing entertain the crowds late into the evening, but really, we all know the reason everyone wants to be Greek—the food! The gyros, the kabobs, the spanikopita, the dolmades, even the salad are so tasty!
And, if you are stuffed when you leave—too much dining and not enough dancing perhaps—then you can always pick up a box of pastries to enjoy the next morning with piping hot coffee! 
It’s grand to be Greek for a day!
Next week is Greenville’s annual Scottish Games and Highland Festival at Furman University, but somehow the thoughts of haggis are not as appealing as baklava. Although, there will be shortbread . . .
What national heritages are celebrated in your community?
We actually have a Greek Festival in our suburban community...it was just last weekend. I know there's a Scandanavian Festival because it was always in the civic center right next to the theatre where we had the girls' recital (same weekend). And of course, at Stone Mountain they have huge Highland Games. And really, I don't mind haggis (but it tastes just like a German "delicacy"...headcheese!) In Nebraska, it's much more ethnic than here, so there are numerous Czech, Swedish, Polish and German celebrations throughout the summer in towns from one end to the other.
ReplyDeleteI live in a whitewhitewhite town so we have no multiculturalism - but we do have the highland games! You must try a deep fried mars bar!
ReplyDeleteHello:
ReplyDeleteWhat fun this all looks. It is always so interesting to experience other cultures and, of course different foods.
We think that this is what we like most about living abroad, one is always a foreigner experiencing new things and coming across new and exciting cultural activities all the time.
OMG....we HAVE SO MUCH IN COMMON.....I just sat down to catch up on WEEKS, yes WEEKS, of blog reading and I read this post FIRST.......as I sit here, MY ENTIRE family is headed over to ST. George's Greek festival in NJ, just over the bridge from PA......MY Clemson son has been dating a GREEK girl since Junior Yr. of high school and we feel it is time to embrace the idea that this MAY be a part of our family someday! Thanks so much for the post!
ReplyDeleteWe NEED to connect in Clemson in the FALL!
my husband and i laughed so hard in that movie that
ReplyDeletewe embarrased ourselves. i have to admit i envy their
zest for life and family. i'm much to timid and would
love to just burst out in expression like that.
I swear this WASP must have a little Greek in her family somewhere. My family (at least the women anyway) are sooooo in each others lies and business all.the.time! But then I wouldn't know what to do if they weren't!
ReplyDeleteThere are Irish, Lebanese, and Norwegian festivals that I know of here. I love My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
ReplyDeleteI just watched that movie yesterday while making dinner. So funny. I love Greek food.
ReplyDeleteWell Greek is really and truly Greek...to me. Gosh I don't think I even know anyone who is Greek but I'd like to. I love that passion for family, food and fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I stopped by because now I know where Furman University is. I have a good friend here in Lexington who's daughter was a freshman this year.
Now I'm off to meander around your beautiful blog some more.
Xo Lisa
I spent a week once on Crete visiting a boyfriend who was there for the summer writing. It was like a dream. I still remember sitting in the early evening in the village square drinking ouzo with little nibbles of feta and olives watching the village action. I would go back in a nannosecond!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. So glad you enjoyed the festival! Being Greek or being with Greeks can be invasive at times...but it does have its positive sides.
ReplyDelete