A car caught fire in a parking lot. Fortunately, the Fire Department arrived before the fire spread in other cars and a nearby field.

More images at: Kevrekidis Photography

[ FujiFilm FinePix HS10 ]

© 2012 Jordan Kevrekidis

Borrowed the title from the novel, “The Last Temptation of Christ” by Nikos Kazantzakis.

The Last Temptation created controversy as soon as it was published in 1951. The Vatican put it on their Index of Forbidden Books, and the Greek Orthodox Church excommunicated the author. When the novel was turned into a movie in 1988 by Martin Scorsese, a number of countries banned it from being shown and there were protests worldwide at screenings.
For N. Kazantzakis, Jesus was both truly man and truly God. While free from sin, was still subject to every form of temptation that humans face, including fear, doubt, depression, reluctance, and lust. Kazantzakis argues in the novel’s preface that by facing and conquering all of man’s weaknesses, Jesus struggled to do God’s will, without ever giving in to the temptations of the flesh.

More images at: Kevrekidis Photography

[ FujiFilm FinePix HS10 ]

© 2011 Jordan Kevrekidis

Jamon Iberico - click for full-size image

Jamón ibérico, Iberian ham, is a type of cured ham produced mostly in Spain, but also in some Portuguese regions where it is called presunto ibérico. It is at least 75% black Iberian pig, also called pata negra (literally, black leg). The black Iberian pig lives primarily in the south and southwest parts of Spain and in the southeast parts of Portugal. Immediately after weaning, the piglets are fattened on barley and maize for several weeks. The pigs are then allowed to roam in pasture and oak groves to feed naturally on grass, herbs, acorns, and roots, until the slaughtering time approaches. At that point the diet may be strictly limited to acorns for the best quality jamón ibérico, or may be a mix of acorns and commercial feed for lesser qualities.
In Europe, the jamón ibérico price can range from 50 Euros per kilogram for the lowest quality, to more than 120 Euros per kilogram when bought at restaurants.

More images at: Kevrekidis Photography

[ FujiFilm FinePix HS10 ]

© 2011 Jordan Kevrekidis

Tercio de Banderillas

In Spanish, the word Torero describes any of the performers who actively participate in the bullfight. The main one who is the leader of the entourage and who kills the bull is addressed as Maestro (master) and his formal title is “Matador de toros” (killer of bulls) but the word “matador” by itself is only used in English and never in Spanish. The Bullfighting is called Corrida de toros (also known as tauromaquia, from Greek: ταυρομαχία – tauromachia, “bullfight”).

Each torero (matador) has 6 assistants. 2 picadores (lancers) mounted on horseback, 3 banderilleros (flagmen), and a mozo de espada (sword servant). Collectively they comprise a Cuadrilla or team of bullfighters. The Spanish Bullfighting is highly ritualized, with three distinct parts called Tercios. The start of each Tercio is announced by a trumpet sound.
At the Tercio de Banderillas (banderillas third), each of the 3 banderilleros attempt to plant two barbed sticks (banderillas, literally “little flags”) in the bull’s shoulders. These further weaken the enormous ridges of neck and shoulder muscle through loss of blood, while also frequently spurring the bull into making more ferocious charges. By this point the bull has lost a significant amount of blood and is exhausted. The matador then enters with his cape and sword, tiring the bull further with several runs at the cape. The placing of the banderillas may be done by the matador. If the presidente decides that the bull is extraordinarily weak or unwilling to fight, he may order the use of black banderillas, considered to be a disgrace to the breeder.

More images at: Kevrekidis Photography
[ FujiFilm FinePix HS10 ]

© 2011 Jordan Kevrekidis

Popular Greek singers Yiannis Kotsiras and Dimitris Mitropanos live in concert at Likavitos amphitheater.

27 Ιουνίου 2011 – Θέατρο Λυκαβηττού, Αθήνα.

Ο Γιάννης Κότσιρας και ο Δημήτρης Μητροπάνος στη σκηνή.
Μαζί τους ο Δημήτρης Μπάσης.

More images at: Kevrekidis Photography

[ FujiFilm FinePix HS10 ]

© 2011 Jordan Kevrekidis