So every year "Oxi Day" is celebrated with some enthusiasm and we decided to attend this years parade in Parga. The event in Parga is a simple affair. After the laying of a wreath at the statue of Kanaris (there isn't one of Metaxas) and a few words, all the schoolchildren march along the sea front carrying national flags to the sound of a mainly drum band. A few cheers and handclapping, and
that's it!Having installed ourselves with front row seats in a coffee bar, along with two other English couples, and expecting a much longer event, we were at a loss as to what to do next. After a walk around and saying hello to everyone we knew, and some we didn't, we ended up in a small bar at the back of the sea front tavernas.
Starting off with a coffee, as it was still quite early in the day, we settled down to chat and the first mezze arrived. A 3 plate selection of goodies was soon polished off and round 2 saw the arrival of the dreaded ouzo, accompanied by another mezze selection. This continued until the middle of the afternoon when we decided to leave; somewhat unsteady on our feet, with full stomachs and having paid a bill of only 45 euros for 6 of us!!
Now that would have been a good day in itself, but then somebody suggested more ouzo back at their apartment. So we had a happy hour where, I'm told, another litre of ouzo disappeared! And then some bright spark suggested visiting the giros bar in the village, and, after gathering ourselves together (it took a while), we descended on Sophia's to hit the ouzo again!
It's at this point that things get a little hazy; I know it was dark when we went home, and I remember one male member of the group hanging onto the wire mesh around the greengrocers outside area.
Considering the significance of the day, I can't remember anyone saying "Oxi" after the first ouzo arrived.
Thank heavens they don't have a "Nai" (yes) day!!!!!!!!
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