Β99 - V. Tsibidaros describing the departure of the Maniots from the port of Gythio

“As the immigrants boarded the ship, the ones left behind at the port of Gythio, mourned. Women and children wept in the arms of their loved ones that were about to leave Mani for a new life in America. Each of the immigrants held two large bags. One contained all their clothes along with basil and marjoram, so that they wouldn’t forget the aromas of their homeland. The other one was filled with food for their journey: local cheese, a jar of dried pork meat, figs, nuts and rusks.”