We took the city bus into town and crossed the street to meander through the shops. Only I couldn't read the map. I couldn't find the street names. I can't read Greek writing - which is completely foreign to look at (all puns intended.) Before we knew it, Rah Rah and I had made a couple turns and found our selves LOST!
In Rome, if two American girls were standing on a corner looking at a map, looking at the buildings and street signs (obviously lost and confused) it would only be a matter of minutes before someone stopped to help us find our way. Not the case in Greece. No, in fact they avoid all eye contact with you and pass you by as if you were either mute or they were deaf.
After wandering a little, checking the map, wandering some more and checking the map again, we finally found at least one street on our little worthless map. We made our way back to the general vicinity of the bus stop and saw a local market near by. Of course this market was a major tourist trap and everything was grossly overpriced. But it was our last day and our last shopping opportunity. Stamp sucker on my forehead and gouge my purse strings - We. Are. Here. To. SHOP!!!
In the midst of browsing a few little stores, Mother Nature decided to dampen our afternoon with some spitting rain, gusts of wind and a dust storm. Perfect outdoor shopping weather. After a long bus ride, getting lost and ducking in out of shops to avoid the dust storm and rain, Rah Rah and I were running out of time at port. So much for making our way to the beach...
Meandering around the market area, we found more of a "grocery" market. This was NOT your local Walmart.
Nice whole rabbit or chicken anyone?
Or maybe half a goat?
Perhaps you'd care for some grilled octopi?
Fish? Anyone care for some fresh salted fish?
Obviously, we were taken back at the live carcases hanging about the market. However, we loved seeing the fresh produce they had to offer.
Especially the different vegetables that we had no idea what they were. Even their artichokes looked foreign.
My favorite...
Buckets and buckets of five gallon buckets filled with every olive variety you could imagine. Pickled, spicy, seasoned, plain, every kind of olive you could think of. And they were so fresh an delicious.
The best part was you were encouraged to try the olives like a mini buffet.
Then you could buy them right from the bucket. They also had some of the varieties pre-packaged. Of course, I bought olives!
I was also very impressed with the cheese shops. Cheese wedges bigger than my head. Half wheels bigger than my torso. Amazing amounts of pungent smelling cheeses. I did not buy cheese, but I wanted to.
Although we did not get to see the beach and dip our toes in the Greek waters. We did enjoy the market.
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