From Dec. 5, 2006 till next entry The clouds filtered the sun today to give us an unusual rendition of the Lefka Ori. Dec. 6, 2006 Two very good reasons for celebrating. It's Finland's "birthday", but especially it's Nikos' nameday. Once again an excellent dinner and a good time with Nikos and his son Kostas in their home. On the table Nikos' tasty rabbit stifado, stuffed leaves, wild asparagus salad, beans, slices of apples, oranges, avocados... in abundance. All the excellent tastes Nikos had conjured into his cooking compelled Kiti to learn a good, long sentence in Greek: To fagito su ine poli kalitero opos kaneno sto estiatorio. It should say (permitting mistakes): Your food is much better than anything in a restaurant. And Nikos' special raki needs a special mention. It is softened by spicing with cinnamon and other "secret" ingredients. It is so soft in taste compared to the raw stuff, however high-class, that it's easy not to notice how many you've had. On the way home in the night, after all of Nikos' hospitality, our feet were objective wittnesses of the power in Nikos' raki. Fortunately our abode is just some 200 meters up from Nikos' home! [ If you see only this frame, click here to see the complete diary ]