You can't stop the music (Koroni)

Where were the Village People when we really needed them?

After a sensational day we had another cracking night's sleep. The double glazing muted the sound of the late night revellers from the street below and when the air con was turned on it became white sound. It was a perfect sleep. 

I woke early, no surprises there, and caught up on my blog posts while Jayne slumbered blissfully on unaware of the incessant, insistent bells from the nearby churches. Today is the wedding day so it is going to be a big day. The first question to tackle is do we need breakfast? After some discussion, we decided probably not, but the lure of coffee and fresh orange juice proved too strong so it was downstairs into the sunshine.

It was 9am by this time and the sun was already warm. There were a few people about but mostly locals setting up for the day. We concerned our hosts by only having juice for breakfast and they kept wanting to feed us. The wedding was beginning early and there would be plenty of food there. Without labouring the point, Koroni is such a beautiful village, I could have sat there for hours and watched the people and the water.

At 10:30am we were dressed and ready for the wedding. We walked down to the other end of the village to the meeting place where we would be driven to Dean's parents' house. Glenn and Donna were already there as were a few others. The drive to the house wasn't far but it was on top of the hill that is behind the seaside village and in the increasing heat, the neatly attired guests would have arrived crumpled and dripping with sweat.

Dean looking cool in linen

By 11am we were at the house to be greeted by Dean and his father and food, drink and three musicians who played songs as Mel was dressed, following the traditional customs of Greece, before she was presented to the assembled guests. Then it was on to the church on foot. The party was led out by Dean and his parents followed by some guests and then Mel and her parents, followed by the remainder of the guests.

Koroni, as I have said, is a seaside village, but the village stretches all the way up a very steep hill. The roads, as you would expect are narrow - they weren't built for modern day modes of transport. It is difficult, in fact, for two cars to pass and the wedding party consumed the whole road so we caused a small traffic jam. During the 15 minute walk to the church the musicians kept playing and singing.

The bride and her parents

The church itself is tiny and is perched on the top of the hill next to the old fort. The view are stunning across the water and down to the beach where later today we would be heading for the reception. The pace of the walk to the church was gentle and it was a great piece of theatre. People came out from their houses to wish the wedding party well. Strangers took photos as we passed by. It added to the already celebratory atmosphere. Although I'm not so sure about the cars behind us, but they were very patient and well behaved.

The wedding ceremony itself was, no doubt, steeped in tradition, but I had no idea what was happening - it was all Greek to me. Oh, come on, it had to be said at one point. Back out into the sun, photos taken, it was time to re-organise the transport to the reception venue - not within walking distance. Glenn went back to the house to pick up the car and Chris, a school friend of Dean's, joined us as navigator on the way to the reception. Chris was also the man-in-charge of the sangria. One of the most significant roles of the day. Dangerous stuff sangria especially as the fruit begins its own fermentation. It is way too easy to drink.

Mel and Dean with Glenn and Donna

The reception was beach side and an intermittent breeze kept everyone cool. The musicians had arrived before us and were in full swing when we walked into the indoor/outdoor area. And they kept playing until the day was done at 5pm - that is almost 6 hours non-stop. Seriously, there was no 'we are taking break, be back in 15 minutes'. They just kept playing. They played as we ate. They played as we drank. They played as plates broke around them. Many, many, many plates. 

It really was a celebration. A most memorable day, made even more so by the finale - the bride and groom walking into the Mediterranean in their wedding clothes.

And so the day ended. Well almost ended.

We left the remainder of the wedding party at the venue (where they continued on) and Glenn kindly navigated the narrow roads home. Jayne and I went to visit to Christos to wind down with a Mythos and some wine and to soak up some of the Koroni spirit by the water's edge. After a slow walk along the break wall we turned towards home. It was only 9:30pm but it had been a long and eventful day. My thoughts still go out to the musos - 6 hours with very little break. You can't stop the music. Not even with sangria eh Chris?