Looking for the old ways–photos from our travels.

During the past few weeks, we have navigated the steep and winding roads into the mountains nearly every day to collect stories, recipes and photographs.

The road to the shepherd village of Vaskina.

We’ve met cheesemakers, home cooks, a taverna owner, even a cobbler, and every one of them was extraordinarily generous–inviting us into their homes or establishments and making us feel as welcome as if we were family or old, dear friends.

Vangelia, Theia Tassia and yours truly making patsa, or “hangover soup.”

We plan to share the results of our travels here, but for the next week or two, while we sort through our notes and images, I’ll post a few photos–glimpses into a world we have felt fortunate to be a part of, if only for a fleeting but beautiful time.

My friend Thomae and her handmade trahana.

 

Thomae sifting flour from wheat grown and milled in her village of Vaskina.

 

Theia Tassia’s kitchen in the mountain village of Peleta.

 

Wood-fired deliciousness.

 

Talking feta with two generations of cheesemakers (and possibly a third) outside of Peleta.

 

A cheese maker’s apothiki, or larder, filled with cheeses, herbs, and root vegetables.

 

A curious onlooker.

 

On our way home.

More photos–as well as recipes and stories–to come. As ever, thank you for reading The Shepherd and the Olive Tree.