Culture in Everyday

Just something that I noticed today; typical with European families and reminiscent of the past there's a lot of evidence of my family's cultural background in my house. There's carpets everywhere that we pull out in the winter, which is mainly linked to Greek-Canadians. Like calling a car "carro" or the floor "flori" If you used these words in Greece, they'd look at you funny and probably shuffle away muttering about "stupid, exenos." Something I experienced firsthand when my cousins stayed with us this summer from Greece.

Anyways, I have actual Greek columns on which sit replicas of ancient Greek urns. Our teacups in the cupboard have depictions of Greek myths on them. We have a plate with Demeter on it, and another depicting a story from Ancient Greece, about two warriors and a woman. I don't know the actual story but it could be one of several. We have statues of the goddesses Aphrodite and Athene. A stone depiction of Herakles (Hercules) and let me point out that back then most of the statues were nude. A little difficult to explain to your non-Greek friends.

My family is Orthodox and extremely religious; mainly in part of my grandmother who lives with us. She makes sure to bless the house, keep candles lit and keep an icon in every single room. Like God is always watching you. It can be unnerving at times. Even the kitchen has a depiction of the Last Supper, probably to remind us while we're eating of what Jesus sacrificed. I think that's my favourite part about Greek culture, it's a synthesis between the old and the new. There's still paintings and statues erected of the Greek Gods today, and places in Greece that still worship them.

I thought it would be nice to talk a little bit about my home; give you a more personal look into my life. So, hope you liked it. h