Images made by me using AI, Photoshop and Canva
Hey there, φιλοι*!
Guess what? We have TWO hot-off-the-presses articles for you this month! One actually went up a couple of weeks ago, so maybe more lukewarm-off-the-presses, but some of you may not have seen it. And now there's a second one for your reading (and listening...and maybe dancing!) pleasure...
First up, we're continuing our long-neglected "Get to Know a God/dess" series with an article that's all about the mysterious Greek god, Pan. Ever wondered about this deity who's part goat, part party-starter, and all magic? We're diving deep into his world, exploring his stories, and uncovering the secrets behind his haunting flute melodies that echo through the ancient Arcadian forests. Discover why his image and wild persona hold sway even today.
Next, we're slapping some Tabasco on our pastitsio and spicing things up with a piece titled "¡Greece Goes Latin!" — and people...!
Oh my.
It's the glorious cross-cultural, rhythm-filled πάρτι* you didn't know you needed so badly.
For decades, Greece has had a surprising love affair with Latin music, from the sexy beats of salsa to the soulful melodies of tangos to the bouncy rhythms of cumbia. Artists from Dalaras and Mouskouri to Arvanitaki and Argiros and so, SO many more have waded deep into this warm and inviting pool. This article takes a look at how these vibrant rhythms found their way into Greek hearts and continue to influence the music scene to this day.
And for the first time in The Greekish Life history - there's a complete playlist you can listen to for free! WOO! Full songs for a change - not the little snippets we've had to do in the past. Eventually all our music articles will be updated with new Spotify playlists, but in the meantime, you're invited to check out the new article and the playlist I've put together. There will be some awesome surprises, for sure, and maybe a new favorite song or two.
Also check out the crazy AI art I made for it. If you're part of the TGL Facebook group, you know I've been playing around with AI images. As I've said in that group, I have some deep misgivings about AI in general and what it can do do illustrators' and other artists' livelihoods specifically (speaking as a former illustrator myself), but in some ways it's still pretty dumb. An illustrator, for example, isn't going to give you a hand with seven fingers. (I had to go through MANY iterations before the AI finally gave me acceptable images.)
Anyway, making the art was fun, especially the faux-retro album covers (which I made using AI, Photoshop and Canva).
Now, for a little personal update. While we're all about celebrating Greek culture around here, this month I'm taking a slight detour from my usual Hellenic adventures.
I'm packing my bags for a journey across Morocco!
I KNOW!
Crazy that I'm finally going after wanting to travel there for literally 30 years. From the red city of Marrakech to the blue city of Chefchaouen (take a look - OMG), from kasbahs to Casablanca, to a desert camp in the sands of the Sahara and beyond, I'll be exploring all the riches of Moroccan food and culture. (I've even got a reservation at Rick's Cafe. Touristy, maybe, but how could I refuse this place, of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world?)
Also, me on a camel oughta be COMEDY GOLD.
It will be interesting to see the Mediterranean from the OTHER end! And who knows - we might find some unexpected connections between Greek and Moroccan cultures along the way.
If you think you'd be interested in following along on my grand Moroccan journey, I'll be posting some photos on The Greekish Life's Instagram page. They're sure to be worth a look. Morocco looks preposterously photogenic, and no doubt I'll be seeing some amazing sights. My Instagram followers overwhelmingly voted Yes when I asked whether or not I should post these non-Greek photos in my feed, so I will be doing so with great enthusiasm. Heh.
So stay tuned, peeps. Whether you're here for the gods and goddesses of our ancient past, the melody mashups that make our bodies and souls dance, or tales from afar, there's always something new to discover with around here.
Filakia,
Barbara
*φιλοι - friends
*πάρτι - party