But today was a very very eventful day in the program. We started the day off at the Heraklion Farmer's Market, then traveled about an hour to Anopolis for a pottery workshop, then traveled another half hour or so to Episkopi to visit an Ostrich Farm, drove back toward Kokkini Hani and stopped at the Mediterranean Aquarium, and wrapped up the day back at the hotel for a Greek Dance Workshop! So lots and lots of stuff to report back on, but it was a boat load of fun so I'm excited to share it with you all :o)
First stop was the Farmer's Market, where they had tons and tons of fresh produce grown in Crete (obviously, lol). But other than all the fresh produce, there were rows of people selling anything from shoes and clothes to purses and fabrics and even kitchenware! All of the owners of the stands were yelling out barters in Greek, so it was very loud and hectic. But this is where I bought my pants and a dress for my mom and I got them for QUITE the steal. I can't complain.
Next to the Farmer's Market was a coffee place where Maria (our program director) insisted on treating us to authentic Greek coffee. And who can turn down free coffee? It came in small, brass like container with a handle where you poured the contents into a small teacup to drink.
It was a very small portion, but MAN was that stuff strong! And delicious. And after you are finished with your coffee, it is a fun little tradition to turn it over on to the coffee plate and let the leftover coffee grinds dry in the cup. Once it is dry, you turn the cup back over and look into it to see the designs that the grinds left in the cup. You look for pictures, and whatever you see in your coffee cup has a meaning in your life. Click here! for a link to a page explaining what different pictures mean.
(my cup read that I have a very passionate love life that is facing major difficulties. lol. my life.)
Our next stop was Anopolis, where we attended a pottery workshop! We watched this guy make a huge vase in literally like 3 minutes, and then were able to make our own pottery (with major help from the main pottery guy).
After making my bowl, they put it in a kiln and we will get to bring them home! They sold a bunch of pottery in the building as well; the walls were stacked with beautiful vases, kitchen ware, decorations... you name it. So naturally I had to buy something. A Greek goddess shot glass and perfume. Nice.
Then we drove to Episkopi to visit an OSTRICH FARM. And yo. Let me tell you. Ostriches are freaking HUGE. Like ginormous. The main one we were hanging with took a sick selfie with us, but then trying to snap at us. He was looking for a fight.
There were also other farm animals like goats and mini horses and sheep. The farm overlooked this incredible hillside, so it was the perfect photo-op after visiting all the lil creatures.
We also ate lunch there and had.... ostrich. Oops? It tastes like a mix between beef and pulled pork. It was delicious, especially accompanied by stuffed zucchini flowers, eggplant omelette, and locally made wine. Even though his brother was probably 500 feet away from us :o
Our last stop on the trip was the Cretaquarium, which houses Mediterranean Sea Life. The fish in the Mediterranean are actually a lot smaller than the fish in the Atlantic; which was very surprising. Also, saw an octopus for the first time there! Oddly enough, we had octopus the night before for dinner, so this is becoming a little awkward.... first the ostrich sighting and eating, then the octopus.... lamb and sheep are common here too. So I'm seeing a lot of what I've been eating here. Oops. x2
Finally we returned from our long day of traveling and got to rest a little at the hotel before Maria came back and held a Greek dancing workshop before dinner. The steps were super fun, we learned traditional circle dancing and partner dancing. It was a little tricky to catch on to first because it is very footwork heavy, but I got it eventually! But, a little girl who is family to the workers at the hotel came in and showed us all up and I've gotta say, it was a little embarrassing what we looked like compared to her. Greek children learn these dances at feasts for the community and these feasts are held quite often! So they learn at a young age, and you could definitely tell that she knew what she was doing!
All in all, this day was jam packed and I loved every second of it.
Today, I learned that "Yes" is "Nai" (Ναι), "No" is "Ochi" ( Όχι), "Excuse me/Sorry" is "Sygnómi" (Συγνώμη) and "Ostrich" is "Strouthokámilos" (στρουθοκάμηλος)
Catch ya on the flip side!
Andrea Rose
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