That was the beginning of a whole new musical experience-I HEARD CRETAN TRADITIONAL MUSIC being played at the Kalh Kardia taberna in Chania by Aspasia Papadakhs(the first ever female Cretan Lyra player)and the Cretan Laouto being played by her brother Pavlos Papadakhs.We sat eating a meal whilst they played,and I was enchanted by this strange mystically oriental music with such action and drama from just 2 acoustic instruments.I got to hold the laouto for a photo and began to play,Aspasia joined in,and we played for 10 minutes.They thought I could play and must be from another island(I was!)The next holiday I had my first laouto made,and was playing it with them.After that I became their"Mathitis"and played every night possible,and hours each day at home.I later also played at Zorbas with Petros Karmpadakhs in Aghia Marina.Now I am asked to play in London with the Minotavri Dance Group...Who knows what the future has in store!
