Home PostsStone made bridge of PlakaMarch 27, 2019Culture LegacyThe ”bridge of Plaka” was a stone arched bridge in Plaka area in the Arachthos river. Its story essentially began after 1860, when the region was part of the Ottoman Empire. This year, the old bridge, linking the sections on either side of the river, was destroyed. In 1863, with the sponsorship of the businessman Yiannis Loulis, the bridge was entirely rebuilt by the master Yiorgis originated from Konitsa. This bridge collapsed almost on the day of its inauguration. In 1866, after the Sultan’s order, the bridge was rebuilt by chief master Constantine Becca originated from Pramanta. The cost of building reached the tremendous sum of 180,000 grosia. During the Second World War, the bridge was bombed by the German forces. However, the bridge lasted only with slight damage. The locals repaired it with cement in 1943. On 29 February 1944 the ”Plaka-Myrofyllou Agreement” was signed. In recent years the bridge was a site attraction. The bridge was one-sided, with a 40-meter-high open-top room, 21 meters high and a top opening of 3.2 meters. It was considered the largest single-arched bridge in the Balkans. The bridge of Plaka, a real jewel, was a point of reference for the will, the architecture and the mentality of the inhabitants. It collapsed in February 2015... Сорок первый [the forty – first]March 27, 2019Films presentationFilm Plot In 1919, during the Russian Civil War, a small force of the Red Army soldiers, who survived an overwhelming defeat by the White Guards, is forced to retreat from the Caspian Sea to flee to the Karakum desert. The small group consists of 23 fighters and the Commissar Arsenti . Unique landscapes, particularly close distant shots, the sand reminds of snow. Marzutka Marzutka is the best shooter, has already killed 38 Whites. Through its unruly and degraded character, the purity of her emotions and the purity of her soul are distinguished. He writes naive poems and remains faithful to the revolution. The actor shines through the desert dust. Shortly thereafter, the unit collides with a small White Soldiers mission, and Marzutka kills two of them. She shoots their officer, who is finally captured alive. Vadim The man, a lieutenant named Vadim , has secret information of the utmost importance. He has to give that information orally to supreme military authorities. Vadim manages to keep the secret information hidden from the Arsenti team. Marzutka is in charge of keeping Vadim. The latter is an educated aristocrat who, before the war, enjoyed life and was studying literature. Arguments Tensions arise as the lieutenant is amused and impressed by Marzutka’s attempts to compose poems and defend the principles of the revolution. When their camels are stolen, the Commissar decides to send the captive lieutenant to their headquarters in Kazalinsk through the Aral Sea. Doing so, a small escort with Vadim are boarding a boat. The boat sinks into a sudden storm and only Marzutka and Vadim remain alive by finding a lodge in a fisherman’s hut on a secluded island. Love Vadim is exhausted and severely ill with fever. Marzutka stands by him. The two fall in love and seem to forget the war. A daughter of the revolution falls in love with an enemy. She is described with “positive colors” while their relationship is lyrical and idealized. When a boat approaches the island, they initially think they are fishermen. Vadim and Marzutka run towards them. Vadim recognizes them as white soldiers and runs to meet them. Marzutka shoots him on his back, killing him. When she realizes that he is dead, he runs into the sea and embraces his corpse. The war However, the 41st shot of Marzoutka and the tragic finale were predetermined from the outset by the civil war. Gentleman Vadim would not have been removed from the oath of the officer, and the “red soldier” Marzoutka – from the revolution. Director Grigori Chukhrai says: “The tragic fate of Marzutka, who fell in love with her enemy – the white officer and then shot him – may seem unlikely today, but war has its own laws, which are not clear to those who did not go through this hell” You can see the 1956 version The film originated in 1927 by Yakov Protazanov who was based on the novel by Boris Lavrenyov ... Trail Minthi mountainMarch 27, 2019Personal training [en]If you find yourself in the western Peloponnese and particular in the area of Zacharo, do not miss the chance to enjoy the trail of mountain Minthi. The way to get there From the town of Zacharo you will move east by following the provincial road from Zacharo to Bresto village. The road is asphalted and essentially it connects Zacharo with Andritsaina village. In the first 5 km you will come across Arini village. You will continue heading east to Milia village. After about 4 km, you pass Milia and 3 km later you reach Chrysochori village. From there, an uphill course for about 3 km begins, towards the village of Minthi. Shortly before – 500m – reach the village, the mountain Minthi (1221 m., altitude), with its curved top – Vounouka – is presented in front of you. Once you reach the central square of the village, follow the slightly uphill road on the right for about 200m. The last houses of the village are on your left. Trail description There, on a small slope and at an altitude of 880m. the path starts . There is no signpost and if the area is unknown, you will face up difficulty to find it. Try to move in the south direction and keep in mind that you must cross vertically a deserted dirt road. The path begins with uphill slope. There is low grass vegetation, sparse trees, and terrain is quite uneven. After 500m, we enter the forest. The trail becomes clear, it is 2-3 meters in wide. Its slope is gentle, the ground is full of stones. We move towards southwest. The path gradually narrows. Its slope is increasing. There, the foliage of the trees limits the horizon. The landscape clears up, about 1 km after. Our direction is changing to the north-east. This opening is temporary. In a while, the magic scene of a dense forest awaits you. Ageless trees cover the sky. Leaves, stones, soft soil make up a terrain that at times can betray you. The path traverses uphill. Gradually the oak trees disappear. Small hollows take their position. The natural environment changes, the horizon opens, the ground becomes rocky. Continue to move towards the small stonemadet building in the background. There, the top of Mount Minthi – at an altitude of 1221 meters – is. From there you can enjoy the magnificent view, whenever favorable conditions prevail . The path has a length of 4,250 meters and an altitude of 350 meters. There is no drinkable water or some kind of a kiosk. ... 9 points to eliminate serum in yogurtMarch 27, 2019Events - homemade food [en]Some Theory … The yoghurt structure consists of a three-dimensional network forming by casein micelles. This network is ”alive”. Depending on the practice I use when making yogurt, deficiencies may be created when the 3-D network is formed. This means that the 3-D network is weak and unstable. Two critical factors: temperature changes and pH change cause rearrangement of the 3-D network. This rearrangement or shrinking, in general, is called syneresis. The rearrangement rate firstly, and how perfect the 3-D network is will determine the whey outlet from the gel, or as it is called, the serum expulsion. Let us start: caseins So whenever I have milk with a few caseins percentage, then we start already with serum expulsion in yoghurt. In this case the 3-dimensional network is weak. homogenised milk or not In homogenised milk yoghurt, the new fat globules resulting from homogenization have a much smaller size that can approximate that of caseins and have also protein features. They participate more effectively in the three-dimensional network. In this case the 3-dimensional network is more powerful. In yogurt from non-homogenized milk, the fat globules interrupt the 3-dimensional network, weakening it. In this case, the 3-dimensional network has imperfections. heat treatment I want intense heat treatment to evaporate water, i.e. to increase the casein content. Intense heat treatment also results in denaturation of whey proteins. Serum proteins change structure, interact with caseins and enhance the 3 dimensional network. In this case the 3-dimensional network is more powerful. slow rate of acidification At a fast rate of acidification , the 3-dimensional network can not smoothly be rearranged. In this case the 3-dimensional network will have imperfections. what time I should remove the yogurt from the oven Ideal pH value is 4.50. A pH value of 4.40 to 4.60 is satisfactory. pH values below 4.40 or above 4.60 result in defects in the 3-D network. slow cooling rate The temperature from 42-43 degrees should be decreased to 4 degrees. Fast temperature rate change causes abnormal rearrangement of the 3-dimensional network. In this case the 3-dimensional network will have imperfections. any mechanical disorder Even a shake, since from the point yogurt has formed the 1st gel structure can cause a crack in the 3-dimensional network. dimensions of the manufacturing container If you use cups with a small cross-sectional area and a high height will serum elimination will be promoted. Whey expulsion is also promoted whenever the yoghurt is half-consumed and then stored with a large area of exposure. when the lids will be placed in cups Lids onto the cups should be placed when the yoghurt has a low temperature, i.e., when the yoghurt is in the refrigerator and has reached a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, moisture concentration on the surface of yoghurt, due to condensation, will promote serum excretion. You tube: Athanasios Kouris https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfh1gAHj-6BKNGPKYSvscJA fb: Traditional Homemade Dairy Products Manufacture ... Chapel at Kaiafas LakeMarch 27, 2019Religious Ceremonises PlacesOne of the special places for religious and specific Christian mysteries is the chapel located on the very small island of Lake Kaiafa. Kaiafa’s lake is located in the western Peloponnese, 2 km north of the town of Zacharo. It stretches under the mountain of Lapitha and is just 200 meters from the sea. It is supplied by underground thermal waters and flows into the sea through a narrow waterway of the hedge. Small island In the lake there is a small island, which communicates on land through an 80-meter high roadway. In the past a hotel spa was operating, and abandoned buildings of glorious past are scattered. On the edge of these facilities and just before the forest there is a small chapel. It is an old building, without any particular architectural or personal style. Its dimensions are about 7 meters long, 4 meters wide and 4 meters high. The building is placed on a concrete base, has a small bell tower and its roof is covered with tiles. It is a rough construction that, I imagine, was created simply to meet the religious needs of the bathers, without claims and prospect. However, this chapel falls far short of any expectations, the place, the view and the wider environment completely compensate us. Only 10 meters away from the building lies the lake’s waters. The horizon begins from the mountain of Lapitha to the mountain of Minthi. The lake itself is a wetland and you will often see and hear ducks and pelicans. Also, the forest gives another dynamic with huge pines and eucalyptus to cover the sky. It is certainly an option for you looking for something special that contains the water element. How to get there You drive on the road of Pyrgos to Kyparissia. Between the village of Kato Samiko and the town of Zacharo, onto the road, you could see some buildings. Those mainly consisted the former Raiway station. Follow the cemented road to the lake for 100 meters. ... Trail Kalarrytes – SyrrakoMarch 27, 2019TrailsKalarrytes and Syrrako traditional settlements Kalarrytes and Syrrako are proclaimed traditional settlements. They are situated on a slope of Mount Lakmos, southeast of the prefecture of Ioannina, at an altitude of 1,150 meters. The two villages stand proudly over the ravine. The torrent of Chrousia sets the boundary. Chrousia torrent is considered tributary of Kalarrytikos, which, in turn, is tributary of Arachthos river. From the beginning we are overwhelmed by the structure. It is a type of residential arrangement . Both villages are of equal size and follow the same Epirus architecture. They also placed at the same altitude . As a result, an impression that they are twin settlements is given. Trail Kalarrytes Syrrako The two settlements are connected with a beautiful path, which crosses the gorge between them. The cobbled path after the carving of the rock is of particular interest . There is no particular difficulty, however, you should be careful when crossing it during a rainfall. You will need about 45-60 minutes to get from one village to another. In fact the path is a downhill and a hill. From the altitude of 1,150 meters you descend to the altitude of 950 meters where you pass over a small iron bridge over Chrusia torrent and then climb back to the altitude of 1,150 meters. Ioannina is 52 km away from village of Syrrako and 58 km from Kalarrytes. Access from one village to the other requires the completion of a nearly circular route with two intersections where you should not be wrong. ... Trail Agia Paraskevi TzoumerkaMarch 26, 2019TrailsThe mountain range of Tzoumerka is famous for its wild beauty. In this unique scenery with steep ravines, cliffs and sunlit streams, people chose the best roads to communicate with each other. The paths for decades have been more than mere routes. They were connected with life, memories, the fate of man himself. A splendid mountain path starts at settlement of Makrykampos towards the chapel of Agia Paraskevi. Makrykampos belongs to the village of Agnanta, located at Tzoumerka territory. The trail is about 2,200 meters long. It starts at an altitude of 970 meters and ends at the chapel at an altitude of 1350 meters. How to get there From the upper square of Agnanta village just follow the uphill road to the settlement of Makrykambos or the settlement of Katafigio. The road network is locally cemented but mainly consists of a dirt road. You will not have trouble with a common car. Do not turn anywhere. The mountain range is always ahead of you. You pass a torrent and continue uphill. At some point you leave the dirt road and turn right into the wood. The car can be left at the edge of the road. If you find this point out, things are greatly facilitated. Already on your right you could see the mountainous shape of Kastri at the top of which you have to reach. Follow the path. In the beginning there are a lot of trees. At parts the landscape opens and you can find yourself in a clearing. The second part of the path is also the most impressive. The path moves through a forest of ancient giant fir trees. The light is scarce and the sky is covered by a cluster of branches and eels. Silence interrupts the action of the kneecap. Feeling ONLY UNIQUE !. Continuing uphill, we get out of the forest and get to a plateau with an icon. The mountain mass is right in front of us. We follow the path to the top. Unfortunately, the human intervention has aesthetically damaged the old beautiful cobbled path. At the top and just 5 meters from the cliff is the chapel of Agia Paraskevi. The 360 degrees view creates the feeling that you are in the air, with the variations of the landscape satisfying even the most demanding. To the east, just a few hundred meters, there is Tzoumerka mountain range, north Mitsikeli, and Tymfi mountain range. To the west lies Xerovouni and Amvrakikos. Easily, you can distinguish the island of Lefkas to the south. The whole effort will take you about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Note that there is no drinkable water. ... Giotto di BondoneMarch 21, 2019ArtsThose who are involved – even encyclopedic – in the history of Art; know Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337), or simply Giotto, as an important Italian painter born in Florence. But it may be much more. The Artist who transformed the Word of the founders of the minions of the ministry: Saint Peter Damianos, Saint Anselm of Kantavriga, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Dominic, etc., as well as that of Saint Thomas Aquinas, placed Man in the spotlight. Christian teaching from the early centuries of the Patristic period proclaimed that Christ is man and God. But in the early Middle Ages – the same is true today in Orthodox Christianity – the divine nature of Christ prevailed. As religious art testifies. Orthodox images do not represent Jesus as much as Christ, with the halo as a symbol of holiness and the face infinitely serene. This person does not bear the sign of the anguish of death, the representation only shows the glory of the resurrection. Giotto’s genius Giotto’s genius made an overshoot that was supposed to change the history of Art and consequently of Thought. He represents Christ as a suffering man, emphasizing his humanity. Man and history are no longer out, but within the image, whose limits are abolished for the sake of a living humanity. Emotions overflow. Gombrich considers that: painting is more than just a substitute for the written discourse. We are watching the real event as if playing it in the theater. Giotto casts off the magical influence of Byzantine conservatism, abandons the abstract idealizations of Byzantine painting and Gothic appeal to decoration. He integrates the figures into a defined space and restores their human existence. The episode occurs in front of the viewer’s eyes, observing in moments of extreme expressive despair dominating a surprising objectivity, superior tranquility. The vision of the believer is now transferred to his life. There is a tendency to unravel from ecclesiastical guardianship. It consolidates the decentralization of nature and the emergence of the sensible world as a world of autonomous existence. Man learns to enjoy earthly life, and departs from the doctrine of contempt of the worlds. concept of perspective It introduces the concept of perspective: it creates the illusion of depth on a flat surface. The three-dimensional representation will be the direction for all subsequent artists to follow. A new era has elapsed ... Running Training- uphill intervals1March 21, 2019Personal training [en]If you find yourself in a wonderful mountainous environment, it is difficult to resist in the attraction of nature. It is certainly a challenge to discover and taste natural beauties by going through the paths, forests and slopes. Magnetism is multiplied, it becomes invincible, especially, for those living in a restricted urban environment. Hiking on mountainous terrain will not only satisfy your inner, mental world, but it will also benefit you through aerobic exercise. The latter strengthens the muscles, improves the cardio-respiratory system, helps control body weight, keeps you away from diseases and generally increases wellness. Stress and intense pace of living is tiring. Everyday obligations do not leave us free time. Therefore, we often have to use even one or half of our time to exercise physically and mentally. Uphill Intervals in action An exercise program, which does not exceed 60 minutes, is: ΄΄UPHILL INTERVALS΄΄. It is a coaching plan that processes many values (endurance to strength, stroke volume, maximum oxygen volume, anaerobic ability, etc.). It’s a tiring program – that’s why it’s interesting – but recovery it’s a matter of few hours. First you choose the space. You do not have to go to a remote mountainous place. An uphill of about 35-50 meters in height is enough. The hill of the neighborhood, or 130-200 consecutive stairs, is sufficient. Personally, I am fascinating by the inside of a high-sloped stream or an extremely uneven rocky terrain, with a 40-50% gradient. You will start with a 15-20 minute warm up. Continue with a few stretches and 3-4 mild sprints. The net schedule includes 12 uphill of one minute duration each. Between the slopes you will rest for 2 minutes. During this period of time you return to the starting point. It is interesting to execute this program at an altitude of 800m. After the 6th repeat and 3-4 seconds after you have stopped, you will feel choked because of the lack of oxygen. Especially, if you try hard the experience is unique. When executing at 2000m, altitude the feeling is even more intense! In the last attempts-repetitions you will end with a maximum number of pulses per minute. That is also one reason this training is suitable for the trained. If you are on an average level, make sure your efforts are at a slower pace. The workout is completed with 2-3 minutes of very slow running Brief: 15-20 min warm up 3-4 mild sprints 12X1 uphill intervals with 2 min recovery 2-3 min slow running ... Athamanios Running RaceMarch 21, 2019Events- sports [en]Where and When Race happens Every year, on the 2nd Saturday of August, in the mountainous area of Arta – Greece – and particular in the area of villages Athamanion – Tetrakomo, a road race called ΄΄Athamanios Route΄΄ is organized. The name refers to King Athamas and to the kingdom of Athamans or Athamania, which included the wider area in the 4th century BC. The starting point of the race is, alternately, one year in the central square of the village of Athamanio (altitude 756 m), and the following year in the central square of the village of Tetrakomo (altitude 885 m). The finish takes place at square of Tetrakomo and square of Athamanio, respectively. The 12.2 km long route is asphalt-paved with steep uphill and downhill slopes and its maximum altitude is 1051 m. The start is about 6-6.30 pm. The dew of altitude, and the aura from the mountain is extremely helpful so that the heat is not a deterrent to an intense physical activity. There are also power stations that provide water, isotonic liquids, courage and applause. Beauty of the Race Along the way, the runner or walker has the opportunity to enjoy the wild nature of the park. The mountain range of Tzoumerka stretches out of the valley. Openings of the horizon to the west give a chance to see the entire plain of Arta and the Amvrakikos Gulf. Plenty of fir, plane trees, walnuts and chestnuts spread all the way. A unique feel is given to the participants during the laborious effort. Participation is free for everyone. All those who finish will receive a medal and a souvenir diploma. Cups will be given to the first three men and women. Contestants have to be found at the starting point in time to register and receive their number. There is no registration fee. Juices, soft drinks and a small meal are available at the finish. All of that, thanks to the courtesy and laudable effort of the organizers. ...