Random Saturday #14: The Random Saturday that unexpectedly came on Sunday!

Hello my dear Readers.

How have you been?

I did not forget to post the Random Saturday #14 yesterday. I got it ready, almost ready to upload, just to realize I have no internet. Taking internet connection from the phone didn't do the trick, so I postponed the R.S. 14 for today.

I also had another topic in mind for R.S.14, but today I got a sudden inspiration to write a short story. I used to love to write, and still write stories from time to time, but this will the first one the world will see. Enjoy J

The Girl and the Horse she never owned

There once lived a girl who fell in love with a horse she never owned. They met by accident, or by fate, and a strong friendship between them begun. They spent each morning together. The girl would come to the stable, say good morning to the horse, share her morning apple with the horse. She would groom the horse, while telling her news. She would ride the horse, where the horse would teach her to be patient, respectful and understand without words.

The girl didn't have a home she could call her own. She didn't have many human friends, didn't have any fancy clothes or habits. She didn't care about loud companies, flirting with boys or trying to find a husband and built a family. The girl didn't dream to become rich and powerful. All the girl needed was that white horse she really loved.

The girl shared with the horse her deepest secrets, her happy moments and her regrets. She would confess to the horse what she was really afraid of. When she didn't want to spend time with the humans, she would hide in the horse's stable and read her book, or just look at the beautiful white horse. The horse didn't mind having the girl around. Although the horse didn't understand much from what the girl would say, the horse was kind enough to make the girl feel like she had the best listener to talk to. The horse always let the girl cry on her shoulder, and never told anyone that the girl cried.

And while the girl's and the horse's bond grew stronger, the girl and the horse got separated. As unexpected as their meeting was, their separation was expected even less. The girl could not see the horse anymore. The girl could not groom the horse anymore, nor ride the horse. She didn't have her friend to tell her secrets, or a shoulder to cry on. The girl was devastated…

But there was nothing she could do, as she never owned the horse…

The girl decided not to love again someone that wasn't her. The girl decided to forget about horses all together. She got married, then she got divorced. She moved far away and got a good job. She would buy beautiful clothes and drink cocktails at a bar. She would laugh at stupid jokes and take selfies with her friends. But nothing filled the void.

She never could forget the horse completely. At nights, she would lay in her bed, in the dark, and think about the beautiful white horse. She would wonder if her friend would remember her, if they would ever met again. Would the horse still let her share all her secrets? Would the horse want to hear all the stories the girl had to tell?

So the girl decided to wait, the girl decided to hope, that one day she would be reunited with the horse, and she would once again have her best friend by her side. She went back to working with horses, and found some new good friends. She would tell to the other horse about her beautiful white horse she never owned.

When those really sad days would come, the girl would look through the pictures of her beloved white horse, and dream of the moment she would be able to see her again. That thought made her smile and she did.

The end.

That's all J

Thank you very much for reading! I wish you a great beginning of the week.  

Random Saturday #13

Fun Activities in Santorini: Horse Riding in Akrotiri!

Santorini is so much more than just the caldera views, the volcano and the sunset. The island offers a lot of different and interesting activities, which are there not only to make your stay in Santorini even more memorable, but also are a great way to explore the island and enjoy its hidden beauties.

One of such activities is horse riding. I can guarantee that you won't regret it if you go on trail ride in Santorini. The island has amazing landscapes, and the best and most amazing locations are not easily accessible by the usual means of transportation. They are accessible with horse though. If you truly wish to make the trip to Santorini memorable, make sure to stop by Santo Horse Riding in Akrotiri and arrange a tour.

What is so special about Santo Horse Riding?

1. Safety first

Santo Horse Riding cares a lot about the safety of its clients. You will get a fitting helmet for your protection, something that is really important when riding a horse. You will also get a pair of English chaps, to protect your legs from any bruising from the saddle.

The horses used for the trail rides, are perfectly trained for the job. They are calm, they know where they are going and what they are doing. The horses don't buck, don't bite, don't kick, which means that you will enjoy the ride without any unpleasant surprises. Moreover, you will be guided by one or two professional horse riders, who will give you instructions on how to handle the horse, and will be there to assist you if anything should happen.

2. Amazing routes

Santo Horse Riding is located in Akrotiri, on the road to the Red Beach and the Excavation point. The location of the stable is fantastic itself, but the routes are even better. The route starts by taking you thought the vine fields of Akrotiri, which are especially beautiful in the summer. Then you pass through amazing rocky formations, which make your feel that your are either on a different planet, or in a Western Movie! You end at the black beach of Santorini, where you can relax and take some nice photos to show your friends and family.

You can chose between the one hour route, which will take you to a secluded beach, or the two hour route, which takes you to the black beach of Vlychada. I strongly recommend choosing the two hour tour, as this particular route includes a quick stop at the St. Anna's beautiful church with the famous blue dome. Whatever route you choose though, you are guaranteed an amazing experience and unforgettable views!

3. Horse Riding Lessons

Santo Horse Riding offers horse riding lessons as well. If you like active vacations, and wish to learn a bit more about horses and horse riding, go for horse riding lessons! You will have a chance to learn a lot of interesting facts about horses, have an insight on how to take care of a horse, and you will learn a couple of great secrets for horse training.

Of course, you will also get to learn the basics of horse riding. You will have a professional horse riding trainer beside you, teaching you everything from the very beginning, so no need to worry if you don't have any previous experience in horse riding.

4. Wedding photo shoot with horses

For those couples, who wish to have unique photos from your wedding, you can arrange a wedding couple's photo shoot, or a pre/post wedding photo shoot with horses via Santo Horse Riding. You can have it directly at the stables or at the beach. The photos of you, as newlyweds, on horses, walking by the beach, will look so romantic and will be a great addition to your wedding photo album.

5. Marriage proposal on a horse

Be the knight she was always looking for, by taking her to an unforgettable trail ride in Santorini, which will include a dreamy, surprise marriage proposal. Santo Horse Riding can take you to a couple of amazing locations for a proposal, with great views and absolute privacy. Don't forget to have a photographer on the day, to capture the amazing moment!

What you need to know before going on a horse ride?

• If possible, wear closed shoes, like sneakers, for example. All though you can ride in flip flops, it will be much more comfortable with the sneakers.
• Ladies, avoid wearing high heels or dresses/skirts when going for a horse ride, instead chose shorts, or, even better, pants!  
• Never go behind a horse. Yes, Santo Horse Riding's horses are trained not to kick, but you shouldn't forget that horses are leaving, breathing creatures, that can get scared at the wrong moment while you will be standing behind them.
• Listen to the trainers. They are professional horse riders and care only for your safety and for you to have a great time. So listen to what they have to tell you, and follow their instructions.
• Last, but not least, if you are too scared to ride a horse, don’t do it. You won't enjoy it, and the rest of group might not enjoy the trip as well. No one will judge.

So, to summaries, whether you came to Santorini to get married, or just for vacation, be sure to stop by Santo Horse Riding for an unforgettable horse riding experience. Arrange a group tour for your wedding guests, or just for your group of friends.

For contact information, please visit Santo Horse Riding's official website - http://santorinihorseriding.gr/

Thank you very much for reading, and I wish you a lovely day!

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Random Saturday 7: Winter Blues...

Hello my dear Readers!

Hope you all have been well this week.

This morning was quite challenging for me, to be honest… Actually, the last month has been getting harder and harder for me. Although I feel perfectly well physically (finally), emotionally I've been having a drop, which today had one of its peaks.

It took me four hours to kick me out of bed. I didn't want to do anything, even today's Random Saturday. Eventually, I convinced myself to get out of bed, go for a run and go on with my day. Now, that I'm writing this blog I feel the urge to crawl back to bed and spend the rest of the day watching youtube videos, which of I won't do, as I like to choose work over bed to get over such times.

Yet… even though I know what is the cause for this emotional drop, it is becoming harder and harder to keep up with my daily tasks. Still, I try my best to stay positive and joke about this whole situation. Also, I started training a foal, so it could get accustomed to a halter, so it has been keeping busy and away from gloomy thoughts.  

To be completely honest, ever since I decided to open my own wedding and event planning company, I had a number panic attacks. I get doubts on the decision of starting my own busyness, I have doubts that I will be able to pull through in such critical for the world time. I guess it is a normal feeling, when taking the first steps to a professional independence, so I try not to over think it. I've invented so many ways of motivating myself to go on, that I might write a book about it one day.

Whatever the hardships might be though, I won't stop trying to make Cardoon Events one of the best wedding and event planning companies in Greece, because, as the band "Queen" says "We'll keep on fighting till the end!"

It has been only two and half months since Cardoon Events started, so it would be unfair of me to ask for great result in such a short period of time. It is amazing to know that there are couples contacting me, more and more people are reading this blog, and all the social media are slowly growing. This shows progress, and I'm really happy about it. Every new follower I get on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, fills me with the same excitement I felt as a kid when opening the presents from Santa Claus.

I guess I can start putting some more effort into Cardoon, so I won't feel like I'm procrastinating too much. Everything will turn out good, I know it, because well… I really don't have any other choice. Hehe :p

I also perfectly know that I get the "Winter Blues" around this time of the year, so it is kind of normal for me to get pessimistic! I am a sun and warmth powered person, so winter has been hard me for many years now. We have been having sunny days all week in Santorini, but it wasn't warm enough for me. This made not want to leave my warm, cozy bed, and go outside doing useful staff. I really miss the long, hot, sunny days… they are almost here… almost… here…..aaaaaaah….

On the bright side, I've been hired to work at the "SantoHorse Riding" for this summer season, and it has been a dream of mine to work with horses again, ever since I came to Santorini. If any of your wish to meet in person, you can do so there :p. And no, this won't interfere at all with my work at Cardoon Events. The owners of Santo Horse Riding know that I will be going on some wedding this year, and I will still be able to do all the planning from the stable. I'll have the best office view with the horses around me, the sun, the fresh air! This certainly makes me happy.

I'm terribly sorry that I've been whining for the second Random Saturday in a row, but since wedding planners are human beings too, we are bound to have our sad days, weeks, months. An in any case, Random Saturdays were meant to be a way of you, getting to know me better as a person, rather than just a professional. You'll just got to know the whiny side of me. J

I would like thank all of my friends, who have been on my side from the very beginning of Cardoon Events. I'd like to thank them, for keeping up with all the long faces, frowns, pessimism, panic attacks. They help me turn all that to a positive and energetic attitude towards what I'm doing. At the of the day, I always fall asleep with a smile.

I also want to thank you, my dear reader, for supporting what I'm trying to do, by reading this blogs.

I wish everyone a great evening or day, and a great week in general! 

Random Saturday 6 || Random Saturday 8

Secret Café - a place for great coffee, parties, and fun times!

Secret Café is a really nice coffee bar located in Pyrgos, Santorini. I've been coming here for almost two years, to enjoy my morning coffee, relax before my working day, and lately to actually work and bring to you all this blogs.

I would like to dedicate this blog to Secret Café, as I believe it is a pity to visit Santorini and not pop in to this place for a morning coffee or an evening drink.

Secret Café's owner is Katerina, a cheerful and incredibly positive person. She always dreamed of opening her own coffee shop, and she made her dream come true in 2013. Ever since, she's been making everyone's day brighter with her smile and good coffee. She really loves what she does, and pours her soul into it, which really shows in her work.

When entering this place, you will be welcome with a heartwarming smile. The interior of the place is cozy, warm, and it perfectly reflects the amazing character of the owner. All over the walls, you can find writings from the people who visited the place over the years, which adds a beautiful touch to the place. You are of course welcome to leave your own mark on the wall, if you feel like it.

The view from Secret Café does not lack beauty as well. Pyrgos Village, where the café is located, is the highest village of Santorini. Because Secret Café is located in the outskirts of the village, it offers the amazing views of the caldera, and the close by islands when the sky is clear. The view is not restricted with the caldera. You can also enjoy the view of Akrotiri, which is equally breathtaking as the cliffside of Santorini.

Apart from the tasty coffees and great atmosphere of the place, it is also a great location for parties. In Secret Café, you can have any type of party you like: birthday parties, name day parties, divorce parties, hen parties, just a party for a good time! You can choose between a public party, a semi-private party, and a completely private party. Beside the affordable prices, you are guaranteed to have the time of your life when hosting your party at Secret Café.

When asking her why someone who owned a coffee shop decided to host parties as well, her answer was "I like parties! I like listening to music, I like dancing and having fun, and if I can offer all those things to other people, it makes me even happier. I also believe that dancing is an important part of life, because it makes you feel free, it helps you express yourself and forget about your daily problems. As dancing is always part of a party, hosting parties at Secret Café is my way of giving people one more excuse to dance!".

Katerina's moto is "Be yourself and leave your dream!" and she really lives by those words.

When you visit Santorini next time, make sure to come to Pyrgos and enjoy a cup of coffee at Secret Café!

Thank you very much for reading, and I wish you a lovely day!

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Random Saturday #5: Don't be afraid to smile!

Hello my dear readers!

I hope everyone had a positively unforgettable new year celebration and that 2017 has been good to you so far.

Today is the name day of Giannis, which is the Greek version of the name Johnny, so I would like to wish a happy name day to all of the Johnnies in your life!

In dedication to this day Secret Café in Pyrgos is organizing a party - "Johnny's Day" ! I can't wait for it! I haven't been to a party in a while and I really need to go to one, so yes.. I feel pretty excited!

I decided to dedicate this Random Saturday to Katerina, the owner of Secret Café in Pyrgos, a really good friend of mine and an amazing person in general. I won't get into detail about her life, because well… its personal information, but I'll just say that whatever unpleasant surprises life brought her, she is still strong and smiling. She never gives up and have achieved amazing things. She is an inspiration to me.

I met Katerina when I was working across the street from the her coffee shop, at the wedding planning office. That period of time wasn't the best for me, not because of the job, but because I was already feeling that my marriage was falling apart and would soon end. I wasn't smiling a lot and didn't really feel like interacting with people. Whoever moody I was, every time I went to get my morning coffee, Katerina would greet me with her big, honest smile, which would make me smile even if I didn't feel like it. She was one of the few people I didn't mind interacting with.

We became friends this summer. To keep myself away from unnecessary stress, I thought of the "morning coffee" ritual (not a creative name, I know). Every morning, before stepping my foot into the office, I would always first go to Secret Café for my morning cup of coffee. With every day that passed, and the more we would chat, we started bonding. It didn't matter if I had a good morning or a bad morning, she would always manage to make me smile and change my attitude to a positive one, even on the day when my car broke on a crossroad…

Getting ready for "Johhny's Day"

It always amazed me, and still does, that she always stays positive and is always smiling, whatever might be going on in her life. In summer, she was working at a hotel and at Secret Café. She was working for almost 16 hours or more every day, and never ever lost her enthusiasm for life. I admire that in her, and she helped me a lot be positive myself.

Through her, I realized how important it is to have such people in your life, and how a simple smile could change your day and make it better. I wish everyone could have a Katerina in their life! I learned how to confront any troubles life can bring with a joke and a positive attitude. She always helps me with advices, listens to my problems and always cheers me up! I never left her coffee shop in a bad mood.

Katerina is the person who is never afraid to smile!

When you visit Santorini, make sure to pass by her coffee shop. Its name is Secret Café and it is located in Pyrgos, right next to the pharmacy. She makes great coffee by the way! ;)

Stay positive, don't lose your smile, and have a great Johnny's Day!!

Random Saturday #4 || Random Saturday #6