My go-to phrase the past week, anytime I enter a shop or encounter a person on the street, has been:
"μιλάτε αγγλικά;"
which is pronounced: me-LA-te ahg-li-KA?
*note that in Greek the question mark is written as a semi-colon. strange, yes.
Can you guess what this means? Say it a couple times out loud. Go on, take a guess.
....
No peeking, now.
....
Keep scrolling down for the answer.
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Really, just try your best guess.
....
Did you guess "Do you speak English?" If so, you are correct!
Yes, that is probably my most utilized phrase these days. Most shopkeepers do speak at least some English, enough to get along. (The other day, a woman in an art store did respond by asking me if I spoke Spanish, since she did not know English. Good news is, I was able to buy a pair of scissors in Spanish.)
Problem is, I feel a little bit embarrassed every time I have to say this phrase. It doesn't really seem fair that I should expect people here to know my language (ok, ok, I know it is kind of an 'international' language). It makes me determined to improve my Greek!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday Walk
After sleeping off our late night in 'Australia', we decided that long walk would be a brilliant way to spend a Sunday late morning/early afternoon.
We took off through the Plaka, and after about 15 minutes ended up in the maze of alternately rundown and beautiful (sometimes both at once) Athenian houses at the foot of the Acropolis. It was quite amazing, as we snaked higher and higher up the hill, to realize we were actually walking on this great monument.
We could see the little tiny tourists at the top.
Needless to say, the views of Athens were breathtaking.
After about an hour of meandering through the tiny streets, we made our way home, agreeing that Bea was quite a lucky dog, to have such a grand place for a Sunday walk!
We took off through the Plaka, and after about 15 minutes ended up in the maze of alternately rundown and beautiful (sometimes both at once) Athenian houses at the foot of the Acropolis. It was quite amazing, as we snaked higher and higher up the hill, to realize we were actually walking on this great monument.
We could see the little tiny tourists at the top.
Needless to say, the views of Athens were breathtaking.
After about an hour of meandering through the tiny streets, we made our way home, agreeing that Bea was quite a lucky dog, to have such a grand place for a Sunday walk!
An evening in Australia?
Last night (Saturday night) Tim and I went with Dreya to the British School of Classical Studies' Carnivale party. The theme of the party was, oddly enough, Australia. (*NB: Tim and I happen to have three Australian parents between us.) Dreya told us we didn't really need to wear costumes or anything, so I must say we were quite surprised to arrive and find a heap of British & American classicists dressed as some wild variations of 'Australia'. Not to mention the decorations, with a life-size paper-towel-roll-and-duct-tape kangaroo greeting us at the door, posters like this one plastering the walls:
...and snacks like these paprika-flavored mini kangaroos.
They even decorated their statues.
(The cork hat is very Australian.)
Unforunately, the low light didn't allow me to get any pictures of the great costumes. The winners of the costume contest included all the members of AC/DC, two 'dingoes' carrying around dead babies and a pavlova. (Half the people there were dressed as convicts--I guess it was too cliche to win any kind of prize.)
Anyway, it was a fun time, if a little weird, having just arrived in Athens, to find ourselves in Oz.
...and snacks like these paprika-flavored mini kangaroos.
They even decorated their statues.
(The cork hat is very Australian.)
Unforunately, the low light didn't allow me to get any pictures of the great costumes. The winners of the costume contest included all the members of AC/DC, two 'dingoes' carrying around dead babies and a pavlova. (Half the people there were dressed as convicts--I guess it was too cliche to win any kind of prize.)
Anyway, it was a fun time, if a little weird, having just arrived in Athens, to find ourselves in Oz.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Market Visit
Today (Saturday) Tim and I went to the Ambelokipi market with our friend Dreya, who is here for a full year, studying at the American School of Classical Studies.
How do you like them artichokes? (on the table on the right)
Fish and χταπόδι (octopus)
Tim eating a fresh-grilled souvlaki from one of the market vendors
Now, I would say that we are no market novices. We have been to quite a few in our day: Paris, Rome, Tunis, NYC, Vancouver, Boston. But, as Tim put it, the one we went to in Athens today felt "kind of overwhelming".
Tim checking out the olives
How do you like them artichokes? (on the table on the right)
Fish and χταπόδι (octopus)
Tim eating a fresh-grilled souvlaki from one of the market vendors
It was quite a melange of vegetables, fruits, fish, herbs, nuts, clothing and miscellaneous household items. On our walk back through we picked up a variety of nice items, including a large plastic liter bottle (no label) of homemade κρασί (wine) for 2 euros. It was a quite strong, but delicious rosé which we enjoyed with our farmer's market lunch!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Greek Word of the Day
Learn Greek along with me!
Today's entry is actually two words:
Nai & 'Οχι
Counterintuitively, 'nai' (pronounced neigh) means yes, and 'oxi' (pronounced o-hee) means no.
It can be very confusing.
'Οχι actually has its own day.
Today's entry is actually two words:
Nai & 'Οχι
Counterintuitively, 'nai' (pronounced neigh) means yes, and 'oxi' (pronounced o-hee) means no.
It can be very confusing.
'Οχι actually has its own day.
Thing #1 I Like About Athens
There are orange trees full of large, juicy, ripe oranges everywhere.
How novel: city trees that produce a useful foodstuff in addition to looking pretty!
How novel: city trees that produce a useful foodstuff in addition to looking pretty!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Book I: Arrival
Tim, Anna and Bea are now located here: http://tinyurl.com/dj2t85
Below, some pictures from our first few days in Athens.
Bea's morning walk down Nikis Street:
And to the National Gardens (watch out for stray dogs!):
Street view of our little balcony :
First home-cooked dinner in our apartment:
Below, some pictures from our first few days in Athens.
Bea's morning walk down Nikis Street:
And to the National Gardens (watch out for stray dogs!):
In front of the Zappeion:
Street view of our little balcony :
First home-cooked dinner in our apartment:
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