The Hellenic Navy (HN) (Greek: Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1936–1973) it was known as the Royal Navy (Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν, Vasilikón Naftikón, abbreviated ΒΝ).The total displacement of all the navy's vessels is approximately 150,000 tons.The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος" from Thucydides' account of Pericles' oration on the eve of the Peloponnesian War. This has been roughly translated as "Great is the country that controls the sea". The Hellenic Navy's emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed Christian cross and trident, with the cross symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and the trident symbolizing Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Pericles' words are written across the top of the emblem. "The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory."...............The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since the ancient times. Nowadays, Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, which is the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism and forms the backbone of world shipping. The Greek fleet flies a variety of flags, however some Greek shipowners gradually return to Greece following the changes to the legislative framework governing their operations and the improvement of infrastructure.

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This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς....This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς.........

Friday, April 9, 2010

"Ouzo",More than a Greek drink..[ 867 ]

Ooh, Ouzo!,,More than a Greek drink, it's a Greek philosophy

By deTraci Regula, About.com Guide

Glass of ouzo

A simple glass of ouzo at an ouzeria in Greece.

Photo copyright by deTraci Regula, licensed to About.com

Ah, ouzo - clear, cool, fragrant, powerful.

My first experience with ouzo or oyzo was not in Greece. A friend of mine had a taste for it and proudly introduced me to ouzo over ice, demonstrating its ability to turn cloudy with the cold.

I was the next thing to turn cloudy, but not with cold. It filled my veins with white fire. Ouzo is a potent beverage, with an anise or licorice-like flavor. To call it a Greek "white lightning" is too simple - ouzo is a complex drink.

Ouzo is often consumed with savory snacks, especially small salty fish. In less-touristy places, small plates of these will arrive at no extra charge along with your ouzo.

While total agreement is not possible, many people prefer the ouzo produced on Lesbos, and one of the better-known brands is Epom. Lesvos resident Matt Barrett is one who agrees that Lesbos ouzo is best, and recounts some of his experiences of Lesbian ouzo.

Women have always played a part in the production of ouzo. In 1910, an enterprising widow named Heleni Giokarini brought out a brand called "Widow's Ouzo", which, renamed, is one of four varieties still being produced today by the Giokarini company on Samos.

Though usually enjoyed alone, ouzo can be part of a mixed drink. Here's a recipe for Mussaka -NOT to be confused with moussaka. How about a Zorbatini? Or the aptly-named Greek Lightning, a blend of ouzo, vodka, and creme de Cassis.

Ouzo can also be used in cooking, especially as a marinade for appetizers but it can also impart its flavor to entrees.

As a clear, potent alcohol, ouzo is sometimes confused with tsipouro or tsikoudia, but those are generally made by private householders and will vary from batch to batch.

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