Typical Greek hospitality means that if someone has something to offer you from their own garden or shop or business, they absolutely will. Especially if you have young children.
"Please take this...it's for the kids."
We've been here less than two months but we have already been on the receiving end of such gifts. On one side of our house there is a gentleman who has 6 chickens. The kids were looking at them over the verandah one day when he was tending to them and we got to chatting about moving here. He told us that he keeps chickens for eggs for his three grandchildren and also raises about 3 sheep a year for meat for them, "because you don't know what you are buying from the shops these days", a valid point. He then proceeded to give us the eggs laid that day. Five beautiful large eggs. You can't get much fresher than that! My son absolutely loves eggs and promptly ate one for his supper.
Then the other day the owner of our house came by. With a crate of beautiful organic lettuces. So tender and delicious. "You can give these to your children without fear."
I love it. It's not that you don't get this in the city but not many have the ability to give you freshly grown things in town.
I guess you could say we are enjoying ourselves since we moved here. There are of course some things which take getting used to. I'll write more about that soon!
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that is so true. Living in Chania, Crete, for 21 months, I experienced the alternative version "Please take this... it's for you". Only once I had to buy olive oil from the super market, and friends and neighbors provided fresh fruits, wine and stronger spirits, and of course, delicious food cooked for me "since it would be nice to eat proper home food every once in a while" :)
ReplyDeleteThe equivalent in living in the city would be having a neighbor who provides you with a year's supply of high octane gas for your car/bike!! Somehow, I don't see that happening...
Indeed, living in the country has its good parts...
Liz,
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful, isn't it. I planted a garden this year and still haven't had to buy tomatoes. But, my neighbor has a HUGE garden and every morning drops something off. We've eaten so many melons it's insane. I've taken photos of many of the drop offs in hopes to do a post on the hospitality. The thing with my neighbor is that he planted certain things in his garden especially for me, my own section. How much more wonderful can it get? I'm so happy that you're enjoying your new home...outside of the flood in your basement.
Have a fantastic Sunday :)
This is one of the reasons I want to move to the countryside. When we moved to Greece I lived for six years in the countryside before moving to Athens and I still remember the hospitality of these people. Glad to see that you are enjoying your stay there.
ReplyDeleteI know all the above you said because I'm Greek!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for passing by my blog. Please come again soon.
Have a great day! :)