Meta ta Mesanyxta 'After Midnight' with Eleonora Meleti on Alpha TV, Athens

Three years ago, when my ex-fiancé and I chose Greece to celebrate our wedding, I never thought how important this place would be to my heart.

From now on, this country is associated with my solo wedding in Santorini and my rebirth (Read previous article 1st Anniversary)

A few days ago, I was invited to a TV show on the biggest Greek channel. On Tuesday, October 23, 2018, thousands of viewers discovered me.

I wanted to share this special moment of my life, so here is this extraordinary day told step by step:
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1 / I am not a morning person and waking up early is a torture. Nevertheless, I can get up without being grumpy for 2 reasons, whether I travel or work on my blog. This time, I get up at dawn for these 2 reasons!

2 / Head in the clouds, I fly to Athens.
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Athens, which means the city of Athena, Goddess of Reason, Prudence, Military Strategy and Wisdom. What a highly symbolic place for my first TV show! I couldn’t wish a better place.

​3 / I’ve asked what I had to wear for the occasion and was told: something comfortable for a late night show. Obviously, I’m very used to this kind of event, I do this every day, I knew immediately what to wear (ironic) - finally, after having tried all my wardrobe!

I finally opted for a romantic, elegant and feminine outfit.
Dress and belt: Promod
Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
Bracelet: Tiffany & Co. by Elsa Peretti
Hairstyle: Un Brin de Jenny

 4 / I am picked up at my hotel to go to the studio. Very different from French studios which are very accessible in the middle of cities. This Alpha studio is very isolated and well guarded.
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I go directly to makeup where other guests are already there, and also the translator for my interview.

A matte base, zero shine and nervousness that starts to rise even if my smile doesn’t show anything ...
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5 / That's it, it's time, I discover the studio set

Many people, cameras, screens, and Eleonora, the host, who sees me and immediately comes to meet me. She is charming and very smiling, she puts me at ease instantly. Eleonora Meleti is a well-known and popular journalist in Greece.

Everyone on the set is adorable, they come to greet me, support me. There is even a half Greek Frenchman. The atmosphere is very relaxed.
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They explain the process, install me and adjust my microphone, I take a deep breath and concentrate.

Making my first TV appearance was certainly not something I was prepared for. Especially when it comes to 30 minutes of interview. And to make the exercise worse, because as you know I don’t like when it’s simple, Eleonora was addressing me in Greek, the translation was given to me in English, so I answered in English making sure I was looking at my hostess, while the translator translated into Greek instantly. You’ve followed?? Because even me, I’m lost hahaha. So, in summary, my brain heard Greek and English at the same time and I had to try to answer without always remembering the questions!
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But I think that watching the video doesn’t need any comment, my interview starts from the 36th minute, unfortunately it’s in Greek, the subtitles are not yet available, however there is a nice video at the beginning (Photo Credit: Alexander Hadji).

​You can find all the videos of the show on Alpha TV website:
www.alphatv.gr/?vtype=generic&vid=34809&categoryId=4&showId=923

Greece, the country of my solo wedding, and where so many people have shown so much interest, support and love for my story. I feel good in Greece...

I’ve received even more sympathy after the show, and some people recognised me in the streets of Athens.

Thanks again to Eleonora Meleti, Sotiris Skouloudis, the whole team of Meta ta Mesanyxta and Alpha TV.
 
6 / Return to the hotel and I admit that it’s difficult to regain my senses. So much excitement and emotions in such a short time ...

​7 / Of course I couldn’t leave Athens without going for a walk and relaxing with my friends. Above all, I couldn’t let you without having made you discover this beautiful city! And all my favourite addresses will be in a future article dedicated to this city.

To conclude, a song by P!nk that I particularly like, and which says: I will never surrender, there is nothing but a victory! Well, it could be Athena's words, couldn't it?

​Love,
L.

In preparation for my first TV interview in Athens, it seemed obvious to talk about my solo wedding again.

Regarding the different interviews I’ve had recently Media, a question came up often, what did you eat?

And as I've already mentioned champagne in a previous article, here is the logical continuation.

Greece was not chosen by chance, I like Greek cuisine! So obviously for my solo wedding in Santorini, the menu was traditional.

Just thinking about it, I salivate, all these Mediterranean flavours, olive oil, olives, octopus, squid, feta, taramosalata, moussaka ...

To be honest, any excuse was good to eat, so the day before the ceremony we’ve had a rehearsal dinner, and the day after the wedding, a lunch by the beach (article to come with my favourite addresses).

The feature of Santorinian cuisine comes from some products that are not found elsewhere, such as some small tomatoes and favas, small yellow beans. Thus, some recipes are typical of the island such as fava purée or tomato fritters.

And precisely, it was impossible for me to choose among so many delicious dishes, I wanted everything for my wedding dinner! So, the buffet was the best option.

​Santorini BBQ Wedding Buffet provided by Spicy Bites Catering:
 
Selection of breads & kalamata olives
Santorinian salad – Greek – with feta cheese, capers and virgin olive oil
Taramosalata – Dip prepared with fish roe
Eggplant & tomato slices, cooked in the oven with feta cheese and oregano
Tzatziki – Yoghurt dip with cucumber and olive oil
Fava – Santorinian yellow split peas with onion rings
Tomato fritters, local recipe
 
Grilled chicken fillets with lemon juice
Grilled lamb chops with oregano
Grilled swordfish fillet
Grilled vegetables
Baby roasted potatoes with fresh onion and oregano
 
Fruits
Variety of Greek desserts

My guests and I enjoyed it, we often talk about it with a bit of frustration because we would like to eat it again!

​Of course, a wedding is not a real wedding without a cake and mine was created by Petranart, Megalochori, Santorini. A cake with fresh strawberries and vanilla cream. Unfortunately, in the euphoria of the evening I ate only one piece. I had such a regret that when I returned to Santorini in 2018, to celebrate my first wedding anniversary and my birthday, I reordered the same cake! When we love, we don’t count hahaha...

​Thanks again to Spicy Bites Catering, Mr Petros from Petranart, but also Venetsanos Winery for the venue, Alexander Hadji (photographer), and of course Maria Alexopoulou & Katerina Panagopoulou from Divine Weddings Santorini.

Thanks also to my culinary partners who shared all these wonderful moments immortalised in these photos. What would we be without food?? Hahaha

"If you can dream it, you can do it. » Walt Disney

I really like this quote, this man was witty. Someone who made a fortune with a mouse! Sometimes you just need to believe it and it works.

Walt Disney or his full name Walter Elias Disney, was born in 1901 in Chicago (Illinois) and died in 1966 in Burbank (California).

Producer, screenwriter, animator and foremost entrepreneur, his success owes it to the Walt Disney Company he created in 1923.

Through his creative and adventurous vision, he created the first theme park in the world, Disneyland, the only park he designed and inaugurated in 1955 in Anaheim, California.

Since then, many "kingdoms" have been built around the world: Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Shanghai Disney Resort in China, and of course Disneyland Paris.

Disneyland Paris was inaugurated in 1992 and the 2nd park, Walt Disney Studios opened 10 years later in 2002.

This is the 5th time I go and I still love it!

I really thrill rides and especially roller coasters. But Disneyland has something unique that can’t be found in any other theme park, magic ...

And as Halloween approaches, more effect!

I told you about thrills before so here are my favourite attractions:

​Star Tours and Peter Pan, 2 flight simulations that blew me away!

Hyperspace Mountain catapulted me into Star Wars.

​Big Thunder Mountain or how a train transports you in the middle of the American canyon...

When there are no more, there are still some!
Walt Disney Studios

Here is the realm of thrill, the Tower of Terror, the Rock'n Roller Coaster or Armageddon.

And even when you think the Crush's Coaster is harmless, well believe me this is a hectic adventure waiting for us ..

Finally, we feel safe on the tram of the Studio Tour, except that again, explosive surprises await us:

After so many emotions, beautiful shops are waiting for us:

Thank you, Mr. Walt Disney, for being able to speak to the child who is in us!
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Have a lovely weekend everybody!!

Autumn is here in Europe, rain is back.

Which gave me the idea of ​​a new series of articles that will make you travel this time. And for this first article, I chose Madrid. Remember, I've already talked about this city in a previous article Gift from Science 2 , logical continuation after my solo wedding.

I admit that when it rains, I like to stay in pyjamas all day to binge-watch TV series and eat sweets of all kinds. But sometimes, I take my courage in my hands or rather with an umbrella and a raincoat, and I go for a wander ...

So, follow me today, you will see that life can also be beautiful with wet feet!

Obviously, a hearty breakfast is required before any walk and there are plenty of places in Madrid. There is something for every taste and every budget. Most cafes and restaurants are indoors, which suits us with this weather. Will I choose a traditional brunch with serrano ham, tomato puree, and Spanish tortilla, or churros (addictive donuts), or other European sweets? Hard to decide ...

​In the up and down streets of Madrid, I pass buildings I already know and yet with a grey sky, everything is different, my eyes linger on other details, I rediscover these so familiar streets.

​The rain is relaxing, it makes the problems flow, the sound is calming, and we can discover things differently, including the beautiful rose garden situated inside the 118 hectares of the majestic El Retiro Park.

The rose garden is beautiful in full sunlight but in the rain it's dreamlike. I’ve strolled for hours in these alleys, all these delicate petals covered with drops. Obviously, only a few people have ventured with this weather, which amplifies the tranquillity of the place and gives me plenty of time to wander and dream ...

After several hours spent in the rain, coffee break is required, and there is no hesitation, you will find me at Motteau! This is my sweet break of the day, especially when I'm homesick because here you taste French pastries.

Not to mention that the setting is charming and very welcoming, I always feel like having coffee with friends, which is so, Juan the boss and Tamara are so friendly.
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When I stay in a foreign city for a long time, creating a routine and habits is fundamental. And even if I like solitude, having familiar faces around is essential. Thank you, Tamara and Juan for your kindness and your delicious cakes!

And since I'm not far, let's go to the Caixa Forum, there are always incredible exhibitions. This place reminds you something, and you're right, because that's where Andy Warhol's exhibit was, to read or reread Andy Warhol.

In the same district, you will also find the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, where I shared with you the article about Sorolla and the fashion.
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But let’s go to the Prado Museum, a few steps away. Two hours before the museum closes,  access to the permanent collection is free. Great classical paintings to contemplate, from Greco to Goya via Velazquez, Rubens and many others, perfect for ending the day.

Another tough choice of the day, dinner. Paella, calamari sandwich - typical of Madrid, ham, or not at all Spanish but so comforting, a pizza.

​What is good with big cities is that you can find world cuisine. Which is very nice when you stay several weeks at the same place. And no, I don’t have pleasure eating, you know it's just food hahaha.

Night has fallen, and everything looks different, what a beautiful sight to relax before going to bed. I'm going to have sweet dreams, no doubt.

​Who said when it rains it’s boring?? 😉

Love & Joy,
L.

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