Many years ago, I spent several winter months in the small Greek island of Kassos.  There is a harbour and 4 villages on top of the 4 hills that surround Fry, the harbour town.  At the time, there were about 350 people living there permanently.  During the winter months, connections by air or sea with Rhodes, Karpathos or Athens were heavily dependant on weather and sea conditions, which means one could feel rather isolated and a good degree of fatalism was essential.  

The island, as most forsaken Greek islands in the late eighties, was host to the state’s “rejects”.  Costas the harbour master from Patras was a drunk who had caused a collision between two boats, Manolis the OTE manager(Post and Telephone state company) from Karpathos was a Nea Demoktratia (conservative) supporter when PASSOK was in government, Dimitri the Papas (Orthodox priest) had been caught gallivanting and the doctor was so young he had been posted there the time to grow a beard and look more professional before returning to Athens as a more mature and more credible doctor.  There were two Kafenions open in Fry during the day and only one taverna open in the evening, where all the “rejects” (and me) used to meet for a jolly supper of seafood and Retzina.

One day as I arrived to join my friends for supper, I found them in an unusual  a state of excitement.  The radio was tuned in to the local Aya Maria Kassos station and all had on the tip of their tongues the correct answer to the daily quiz question but of course none of them could say it.  I amazed them all when I gave the answer* and someone quickly dialled the radio’s station’s phone number and passed me the receiver.  The prize was a free drink in one of the Kafenions.  

The next day, fighting a strong Voria wind and a hangover, I staggered to a house where I’d been told I’d find the radio station.  What I found was a smoke-filled room with four boys in their early twenties, and what looked like a black box, wires strewn on the floor and several beer cans.  It turned out there was no prize voucher to collect and that Petros who ran the kafenion had been told to expect Y Gallida (The French Girl).

I stayed for the three hours their broadcast lasted and I was hooked.  It seemed the whole island was listening to the Aya Maria Radio station.  The phone kept ringing with songs requests from Vassiliki daughter of Fotoula for her second cousin Maria on her father’s side, or from Yannis O Trellos (the mad one) for his mate Yorgo. There was important information passed on, such as Yanni the fisherman telling his wife Vassoula that he’d be home late and to keep his food in the hot oven and there was even an interview with Manolis, a Kassiotis locally famous for his research on yawning.

It was local community interaction at its best.  It gave the islanders a sense of togetherness that is so important in isolated places and… you could get free drinks!

When I saw the Seahaven FM poster in the Transmanche ferry terminal in Newhaven, I was immediately taken back to all those years ago in Kassos.  Just like Aya Maria Station, Seahaven FM brings the Seaford-Newhaven-Peacehaven community together, supports local businesses and informs its listeners.  The only difference is the professionalism, which is evident as soon as you enter the Seahaven FM den.  The interview with Nick Mallinson and David Foster was very relaxed and yet very well conducted.  

        Unfortunately, their 2^nd test FM broadcast is over but they are continuing to broadcast their live programs on the internet.  They have applied for a Full Time Community Radio Licence and should know the outcome of their application before the end of 2008.

Please support them in any way you can.  They are doing a fantastic job.

Best cosmofil Regards

Babette

*Question: Which Cretan writer was shortlisted for the Nobel Prize?

Answer: Nikos Kazantzakis

What?

They are weekend/three/five day or longer organised stays offered by some of our cosmofil hosts.  The activities offered depend on the region and  on the hosts’ interests, but an emphasis on the local language is the common denominator.

Where:

France: Auberge des Baous, Corinne and Benoit introduce you to their culture rich area in The Alpes Maritimes.  There is so much to do in and around Saint Jeannet!  Walking in the Baous, visiting museums, hill top perched villages, the Riviera, talking to locals, swimming in the Med, the list is exhaustive and the choice is yours but whatever you do, I know you will never forget Corinne and Benoit, their hospitality, kindness, sense of fun, cuisine, patience, knowledge…… again, the list is exhaustive!

Greece: ALEXANDROU TRADITIONAL INN in Halkidiki and Eleonas on Evia Island.  Believe me, during the several years I spent in Greece, I have experienced the best and the worst of what tourism has to offer in this country I love.  If I decided to go back  for a holiday after staying away for almost a decade, I would definitely start my stay doing a cosmofil programme to refresh my Greek, but also to be sure to experience the “philoxenia” Greece is famous for. 

Spain: Las Sirenitas in Andalucia and Agroturismo Alfatx in Mallorca.  Two of the most stunning Spanish regions, introduced to you by friendly and easy going but passionate hosts.  Lluc runs an organic farm on one of the most beautiful islands of the Mediterranean and Jose invites you to relax in a little known regional park close to one the most celebrated and ancient European cities.  Please don’t ask me where I’d choose to go.  I’d love to go to both and practice my very rusty Spanish.

Italy: Marla and Fabrizio from Bella Baita will share with you their love of the Piedmont, a part of Italy rich in culture but also a paradise for outdoors lovers.  Away from the crowds, you will discover a people and traditions not usually associated with La Dolce Vita image of Italy.  Your hosts are very flexible and open to suggestions.  They will create for you and your group a taylor-made stay you will never forget.

Turkey:  Few people have the  cosmofil touch like Heather and Bulent from Villa Jasmine & Villa Begonville in the Turtle Bay.  They offer a programme based on the Turkish language.  They will introduce you to their community and you will be able to observe or even take part in seasonnal jobs such as preparing olives or drying tomatoes.  They will also tell you about the history of their region. 

Panama:  Margaret and Henry from La Loma on the Carribean side of Panama invite you to live and if you so wish work alongside local people in their tropical farm.  Don’t miss this  unique opportunity to practise your Spanish in the New World, and learn about butterfly breeding and cacao producing in Bocas del Toro.  Can you imagine the attention you’ll get at dinner parties after a stay at La Loma? 

How?

You can go with your family, with friends or with fellow language students.  Why not ask your teacher to help you organise a cosmofil field trip?  Or maybe your children would like the chance to practice their foreign language and organise it for you? 

 How much?

 Please email your chosen hosts to find out more about their cosmofil programme.  Prices may vary depending on activities offered and the number of people in your group.

Do you know any hosts who would match these?  Please, send us their contact details and we will contact them as soon as possible. 

Happy cosmofil field trip!  And please don’t forget to send us your review and share your experience with others.

Babette

Hi there

 I would like to welcome our new 2008 cosmofil hosts. 

Thank you Liz and Mel from La zourcière for introducing Marla & Fabrizio from Bella Baita in Piedmont, Italy and Silvana & Richard from La Pierre Bleue in Saint Martin Vesubie, France.  They are generous and talented people, just like you Liz and Mel.

Also in Italy, Marco and Emmanuella from Villa Irelli in Aruzzo are our first hosts to propose an equestrian stay.  Why not take this opportunity to practise your Italian on horseback?  What would be the greater challenge for you?  The riding or the talking?

I met Bulent at the 2008 Times Destinations Show.  Bulent was there to promote Villa Jasmine & Villa Begonville, near Marmaris in Turkey.  It did not take me long to realise that he was “cosmofil”stuff!  He and his wife Heather will open for you the door to the South West of Turkey, its culture, traditions and people.

 Spain also joined the growing list of countries in the last couple of months, with Jose from Las Sirenitas in Andalucia  and  Lluc from Agroturismo Alfatx in Mallorca.  If real Spain appeals to you, look no further.  Go to practice your Spanish or learn some with them.  Their generosity, the beauty and authenticity of their area will combine to make your stay a very enriching experience.

At last, we now have some cosmofil hosts in Greece, where the whole cosmofil concept originates from.  Alexandrou and his family, from ALEXANDROU TRADITIONAL INN in Halkidiki,  Marina & Stephanos from Eleonas on Evia Island and Kostis & Marcie from Red Tractor Farm on Kea Island will introduce you to the daily life as well as to the ancient culture of their region.  Having lived in Greece and witnessed the damage tourism has caused to many areas of  this wonderful country, I have no doubt our first Greek hosts represent philoxenia at its best and I would be really surprised if you did not return home with a wider Modern Greek vocabulary, a keen interest in olive growing, fishing or Greek mythology.

Do you know hosts with the cosmofil touch?  Please introduce them to cosmofil or send me their details using our contact form on  the Contact Us page.

I’ll soon be back with information on cosmofil language and cultural packages offered by some of our hosts and with news on the cosmofil French Walk/Talk challenge. 

Till then, have fun practicing the language you are studying or just communicating with and learning from the local people you meet on holiday or the foreigners who live in your country.

Best cosmofil wishes

Babette