Kozani Apokries/Carnival 2010-part 1

Last Friday, if you were to ask me what we were doing over the weekend I would have told you that I was resting, recovering from the flu. I wasn't going anywhere and I probably didn't want to see anyone. I had a fever, made myself soup and took refuge under my covers, no plans of emerging for a few days. But...it was the final weekend of Apokries/carnival and my kids wanted to go to visit their yia yia and enjoy the festivities in Kozani as is our family tradition. So, Saturday morning I woke up feeling better and let the kids know I would be willing to go out of town for the weekend. I packed our bags and we headed out. 

Typically, I take hundreds of photos and it's hard for me to choose which ones to share. Because of this I've decided that I'll start this post with what we experienced on Saturday and will post the events of Sunday separately. So here's  a bit of what happened Saturday (Feb. 13)...

Shortly after we arrived we went out shopping. Izabella still didn't have a wig and we knew we'd find one in Kozani. We were met by the first of many travelling bands accompanied by dancing men. I love this! These bands have been parading through Kozani for the entire week, from morning until night. 

The streets are full of costume shops and all of them have funky mannequins modeling carnival accessories. I think I'll use the above photo as a profile picture in the future. Sleek...

A shot inside one shop. We did find a wig for Izabella and she was thrilled. 

Before she wore her wig she had to try on my mask. 

Here she is, our little Hannah Montana. 

And naturally, all of us had to try on the wig. In fact, it caused a bit of a problem...Alexandra HAD to have one. So, my sister-in-law set out with her to find the same one. Unfortunately, we bought the last one of its kind and Alexandra didn't want anything else. After two trips to the costume shop, we found our little doll a wig that was suitable for her...

and here she is. She loves this wig and wouldn't take it off for two days. She even embraced the wig as she slept. I think it's hilarious. 

Back to the carnival...
Fanoi were lit on Saturday and of course there was live music and dancing around the fire. 

This guy delived  a fanos and  free tiropitas (cheese pie).  It's traditional for tiropita to be offered at each fanos.  I was told that this is the fourth year that there was a travelling fanos, bringing the fire to different neighborhoods.  What a great idea! 

My favorite part of carnival every year is watching dancers in traditional costumes. I love the festive atmosphere. 

A crowd gathers in the center to enjoy the live entertainment.

 I call this Izabella's paparazzi shot. She looks like a celebrity ducking the camera! 

There was a giant green gummy bear. If you don't know this annoying gummy bear by now, here's a link to a video. The kids love this bear and can play the gummy bear song for hours. It's torture. 

Cotton candy & lollipops.

Who doesn't love cotton candy? 

Myself with my little blondes! 

We were out for a few hours but decided to stay in for the remainder of the night because we wanted to rest for the parade and other parties on Sunday. Although, we didn't get much sleep since my in-laws live right in the center and the music didn't stop until sunrise. Live bands, bars, party goers, fireworks and horns all night. Even if I didn't sleep, I didn't  mind since I'm finally used to it and it's part of the experience. 

Here's my little Jedi on Sunday morning. Things started to get messy!

To be continued...

Related Links:

Weekend Carnival Celebration

A little more of last weekend

 Carnival/Apokrias 2009

More Apokrias/Carnival...

Carnival/Apokries Party

Sunday Walk in Kozani

Typically, I post pictures of the Greek countryside, seafront and other tranquil spaces that I enjoy. Last Sunday we spent the day in Kozani and I decided to take photos along my afternoon walk in order to share with you what one might see when visiting the city center.

Parking is always a challenge in the center.

This building looks appears to be uninhabited and the signs of closed businesses are still visible.

Abandoned store fronts become a great place to advertise, naturally.

Sidewalks can be very narrow in the city. Because of this,  people are often forced to walk in the street.

The front of a produce shop that was closed since it was Sunday.

In the platiya (πλατεία) or the city center, there was a very small yet peaceful demonstration marking the one year anniversary of the Greek riots. The riots were sparked when a fifteen year- old student, Alexandros Grigoropoulos, was fatally shot by a police officer. 

Although many streets in the center are reserved for pedestrians, it's typical for a delivery bike to pass by.

 A window on an old-boarded up home. What I find fascinating about some old homes is that they seem fairly compressed. I feel so tall standing next to them!

Kosta in  front of a traditional Greek home. You can see that it's actually adjoined to the apartment building next to it.

 This is the back of the home.

A nativity scene in the center.

During the summer months these pedestrian thoroughfares are filled with tables and bustling with action.

And finally, me in front of Kozani's clock tower. I have taken numerous photos of the clock tower over the span of 20 years but have very few, if any, informal ones. This tower also serves as a background for many of our wedding and baptism photos.