neurotic Iraqi wife
April 24, 2008
My Authentic Smelly Greek Outing...
Since this is our last day in Athens, we decided to take things really easy. I still am hungry for sleep, I think I can sleep for a full 24 hours. Being used to waking up at 530 am every day in Baghdad, I think things just took its toll on me. We probably woke up at 11 and as I was going to take a shower, HUBBY said, hey Neurotica, make sure you wear some dirty clothes today. Dirty clothes? I asked. Why? Werent you complaining that you havent seen anything authentic here yet? HUBBY said. Aha I nodded. Well today Neurotica, Im gonna take you somewhere thats as authentic as it gets. Something similar to soug il Shorja in Baghdad. So be ready for it. I smiled, for HUBBY has been searching on the net about things to do in Athens.
For the first time ever, I didnt buy the lonely planet book when I travelled. In every country we visit I always have a book with me, but this time it completely surpassed my mind. I guess the whooshes of the GZ scrambled my thoughts :)
I started rummaging through my wardrobe for dirty clothes, unfortunately, I didnt have any, so instead I opted out for my khakis and a simple top. I wasnt sure where HUBBY was taking me but I kinda had an inkling. We left our hotel and on our way we went. We walked through Ermo street which is the shopping galore street. Then we took Athinas street. Athinas street reminded me so much of covent garden in London. All kinda shops you see there from hardware stores, to cheap tshirts to bags and wallets. I think we were the only tourists walking in that area.
Then just before we reach the so called "authentic" place, HUBBY turned to me and said, ok Neurotica, get ready, cuff your pants up, hold on to your bag, and close your nose because we are here. I looked around and I could see in the distance crowds and crowds of people entering this place. Then all of a sudden a whiff trespassed my nostrils and OMG, I was going to gag. HUBBY took me to where the action is. The market, the food market. The real food market. With fresh meat hanging from rods. Intestines being rolled up. Liver and kidneys hanging. HUBBY looked at me making sure if Im still conscious. I just smiled making sure not a single breath escapes me.
Isnt this fun Neurotica he says. This is as authentic as it gets, HUBBY tells me. I just nod, smile and click away with my cam. It WAS fun I have to admit. I mean listening to the sellers shouting in Greek was nice. Each one trying to sell his produce. Then we made our way to the fish market. Even without breathing the fishy smell magically found its way to my nose. I pulled my scarf to my nose and starting following HUBBY. The floor is all wet and gooey. People pushing and shoving trying to get the best fresh shrimps or squids.
After that we went to the vegetables market. Such beautiful colours decorating the stalls. You can even smell the fresh strawberries in the air. Wow. HUBBY looked at me again and said smiling, see, this is authentic. Didnt you say you wanted authentic. This is it. I just laughed. I couldnt help myself. Yes it is authentic, thats true. After walking through the stalls, we found a quaint little restaurant. We looked at the menu and finally it had "REAL" greek food. We sat down and had yummy lunch. I kept smelling something fishy though. I asked HUBBY if he can smell it? He shakes his head, HUBBY's sense of smell is second to none, unlike mine where my nose is extremely sensitive.
Well I finally saw the Authentic Athens. On our way back to the hotel, we saw a group of probably 8 or 10 african guys selling fake brand name bags. Ive been seeing them in the streets every time we go out. Im not much of a brands person. I hate carrying a bag that has Louis Vitton all over it or Gucci. I hate that kinda stuff. I may buy it if I like the style and the brand name is on the inside, but not flaunting it, not my style what so ever. But just out of curiousity, I looked at one of the bags to see the price.
A fake LV sets you back about 25 Euros, not bad at all. And thats without even haggling. He thought I was interested, I just walked away. Then he followed me, Ok how much you want he says, how much. I just shook my head. Then out of the blue, the guys packed everything up like a bolt of lightening and ran. I didnt know what was going on until I looked around and noticed 2 police men walking in the distance. Lol. After getting inside the room, I can still smell that annoying fishy stench. Turns out, ITS MY HAAAAAAAAAIR....Ewwwww...
Oh well, this is it for today. I better go take a good shower and start packing. Where the hell am I gonna put all those shoes???Aaaaaaah I have an idea, for $5,995 I can buy a Tumi shoe compartment bag!!!Yeah right! Who the hell will buy something like that for THAT crazy price???OMG.
I saw it featured in the RJ magazine on the plane from Baghdad to Amman, while I was trying to block R's nagging from my ears. I remember I started jumping up and down like a little girl when I saw it, it didnt have the price in the magazine. R looked at me and said, whats wrong, did the plane move? I said, Nooooooooo, look they have a bag specially made for shoes. I think he was so ready to slap my face, hehe.
Im gonna leave you with some pictures of today's "Authentic" outing. My Authentic Smelly Greek Outing...
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For the first time ever, I didnt buy the lonely planet book when I travelled. In every country we visit I always have a book with me, but this time it completely surpassed my mind. I guess the whooshes of the GZ scrambled my thoughts :)
I started rummaging through my wardrobe for dirty clothes, unfortunately, I didnt have any, so instead I opted out for my khakis and a simple top. I wasnt sure where HUBBY was taking me but I kinda had an inkling. We left our hotel and on our way we went. We walked through Ermo street which is the shopping galore street. Then we took Athinas street. Athinas street reminded me so much of covent garden in London. All kinda shops you see there from hardware stores, to cheap tshirts to bags and wallets. I think we were the only tourists walking in that area.
Then just before we reach the so called "authentic" place, HUBBY turned to me and said, ok Neurotica, get ready, cuff your pants up, hold on to your bag, and close your nose because we are here. I looked around and I could see in the distance crowds and crowds of people entering this place. Then all of a sudden a whiff trespassed my nostrils and OMG, I was going to gag. HUBBY took me to where the action is. The market, the food market. The real food market. With fresh meat hanging from rods. Intestines being rolled up. Liver and kidneys hanging. HUBBY looked at me making sure if Im still conscious. I just smiled making sure not a single breath escapes me.
Isnt this fun Neurotica he says. This is as authentic as it gets, HUBBY tells me. I just nod, smile and click away with my cam. It WAS fun I have to admit. I mean listening to the sellers shouting in Greek was nice. Each one trying to sell his produce. Then we made our way to the fish market. Even without breathing the fishy smell magically found its way to my nose. I pulled my scarf to my nose and starting following HUBBY. The floor is all wet and gooey. People pushing and shoving trying to get the best fresh shrimps or squids.
After that we went to the vegetables market. Such beautiful colours decorating the stalls. You can even smell the fresh strawberries in the air. Wow. HUBBY looked at me again and said smiling, see, this is authentic. Didnt you say you wanted authentic. This is it. I just laughed. I couldnt help myself. Yes it is authentic, thats true. After walking through the stalls, we found a quaint little restaurant. We looked at the menu and finally it had "REAL" greek food. We sat down and had yummy lunch. I kept smelling something fishy though. I asked HUBBY if he can smell it? He shakes his head, HUBBY's sense of smell is second to none, unlike mine where my nose is extremely sensitive.
Well I finally saw the Authentic Athens. On our way back to the hotel, we saw a group of probably 8 or 10 african guys selling fake brand name bags. Ive been seeing them in the streets every time we go out. Im not much of a brands person. I hate carrying a bag that has Louis Vitton all over it or Gucci. I hate that kinda stuff. I may buy it if I like the style and the brand name is on the inside, but not flaunting it, not my style what so ever. But just out of curiousity, I looked at one of the bags to see the price.
A fake LV sets you back about 25 Euros, not bad at all. And thats without even haggling. He thought I was interested, I just walked away. Then he followed me, Ok how much you want he says, how much. I just shook my head. Then out of the blue, the guys packed everything up like a bolt of lightening and ran. I didnt know what was going on until I looked around and noticed 2 police men walking in the distance. Lol. After getting inside the room, I can still smell that annoying fishy stench. Turns out, ITS MY HAAAAAAAAAIR....Ewwwww...
Oh well, this is it for today. I better go take a good shower and start packing. Where the hell am I gonna put all those shoes???Aaaaaaah I have an idea, for $5,995 I can buy a Tumi shoe compartment bag!!!Yeah right! Who the hell will buy something like that for THAT crazy price???OMG.
I saw it featured in the RJ magazine on the plane from Baghdad to Amman, while I was trying to block R's nagging from my ears. I remember I started jumping up and down like a little girl when I saw it, it didnt have the price in the magazine. R looked at me and said, whats wrong, did the plane move? I said, Nooooooooo, look they have a bag specially made for shoes. I think he was so ready to slap my face, hehe.
Im gonna leave you with some pictures of today's "Authentic" outing. My Authentic Smelly Greek Outing...
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14 Comments:
Very interesting, I would love to visit Greece. I am Turkey, have you ever been to Turkey? I am also a newly wed, 7 months time flies by and most of the time like yourself I am alone as my husband tries to save the world as well.
Thanks for sharing!
Selam,
Aysegul www.nysdelight.com
HELLO NEUROTICA LUV BIDDING GREECE FAREWELL & EXPERIENCING A SMELLY SLIMEY FISHEY :):)SEMI:"SOOOUG AL SHOOOURGAA" OR AL "SAFFAAAFFEER" JUST OFF RASHEEED STREET ;TYPE OF MARKET PLACE IS JUST THE WAY TO RECALL AUTHENTIC LOCAL SMELLS ; SOUNDS & SIGHTS OF A PLACE VISITED .GREAT SUPERB MARVELOUS LOVELY PHOTO SNAPS ;BEIRUT HERE YOU COME NEEEEEXT LUV; & THEN HOME TO THE ARABIAN GULF ABU-DHABI-DUBAI :)MAY IRAQ ALSO BECOME AN EXTENSION TO THE G.C.C. & THRIVE PROSPERING & HAVING THE STANDARD OF LIVING IN THE REST OF THE THE ARBIAN-GULF-SAUDI-ARABIA:)ALL THE VERY BEST TO YOU BOTH ENJOY THE LUVLY HOLS TTARRRAAAA FOR NOW KINDEST REGARDS WWW.bfbs.com" CHEERS OLAFF:)
Scaffolds and some rock I can't help to name Lime. Watching bleached hair crumble in the fashion of a pre Elijah Muhammad Abolitionist...Parthenon X. Building whiter Africans out of perfectly good white Greek people or don't get me started. Fascist "Yeeros" in flowing meaty estuary, all hail the public sewer. Apeshit about life cycles, modern man's testament to dietary control. Dinner Dog for President. I still can't believe that place hasn't gone Black and Muslim after all that Meat-a-holism. The invisible world of scaffolding. Few have the sight. You Neurotica are one of the chosen. After today your last name will be "Little" and you will walk in the Afro of strengthening Oils and Twists. All be like Neurotica Little, Naturally Iraqi.
OH & BY THE WAY TALKING OF SMELLY; SLIMEY ;SLIPPERY;; SMOOTH ;SALT-TASTEY;FISHEY;FISHEY;FISH ;FISH :) I JUST LOVE THE DELICIOUS "SIMMACH MASGOOOFF" OF THE ABU-AL-ANAWWWAAASSS"STR ALONG THE DIJLA RIVER:)ALL THAT FISHEY FISHEY FISH FISH SMELLLLL HHHHHMMMMMMMMMM:) BUT NOT AS A LONG LASTING WHIFFF IN ONE´S HAIR CONTINIOUSLY:( ALBEIT AT TIMES IT´S UNAVOIDABLE HAVING THAT FISHEY SMELL LINGERING IN ONE´S HAIR HHHHHMMMMM:) BUT HOP INTO A HOT BATH & YOU´RE READY FOR THE NEXT ROUND FULLY REFRESHED:) ALL THE BEST M´E O´LE MATEY´S BEIRUT OFFERS SOME SEMI-GREEK FISH DISHES & DELICIOUS AS WELL:) RESTAURANTS ALONG THE CORNEEESH & THE ROESHA INVITING ONE & ALL FOR A GOOD TUCK IN;ALL THE VERY BEST OF REGARDS KINDEST OF REGARDS WWW.bfbs.com" AS ALWAYS YOUR OLAFF:)
NIW,
I laughed when I read you realized it was your hair! That happened to me too at the market in Kuwait City. I saw everything you could imagine, and then some. Later, we went to the Sharq (sp?) Mall. In the mall is a huge grocery store. I remember seeing just about every part of a chicken for sale: liver, gizzards, feet, beaks, you name it. The beef was like that too. I think I ate oatmeal for a while after that. Reminds me of your sheep head experience :)
If you stay in Iraq, I may run into you some day, that is if you continue to work in the GZ. I will most likely deploy there next year. I'm guessing from your last response, you don't want to stay?
Always,
Melanie
MEL.LUV:) I BELIEVE THAT LOADS OF PEOPLE SHALL FIND IRAQ INTERESTING & ATTRACTIVE TO SETTLE & STAY IN ?!PROVIDED & THAT IS PROVIDED THE ETHNIC SECTARIAN AXIS OFEVILIRAN IS KICKED OUT FOR GOOD FROM THE REGION AS A WHOLE & FOR THE SOCIALSTRUCTURE THERE BEING RID OF ;THAT RETARDED SINNISTER VINDICTIVE DEPPRESIVE FEMALE INHIBITING OPRESSIVE VIOLENT ENCLOSED BLINCKERED EVILIRANIEN THUGGERY PRACTICED & IMPOSED ON THE POPULATION ;THE MINUTE THE PLACE IS RID OF THAT SCOURGE ;&PEOPLE FEEL FREE TO LIVE THEIR LIVES IN A LIBERAL UNFETTERED MANNER ;SEMI-THE REST OF THE ARABIAN GULF-G.C.C.STANDARD OF LIVING & A FAIRLY OPEN SOCIETY SEMI-GREECE & TURKEY THEN SURELY LUVLY NEUROTICA & HER HUBBY SHALL BE GLAD TO STAY & WE SHALL BE ABLE TO ENJOY A FUTURE OF STROLLING & SAUNTERING AROUND THE BAGHDAD SOUUUKS & OR ALONG THE ABU-NAWAAAAASSS ;STR ALONG THE RIVER & EXPERIENCE DELICIOUS GRILLED FISH "SIMAAACH MASGOOOUFFF" & & I PERSONALLY LOVE THAT FISHY FISHY FISH SALTY SMELL "UH OH IN ENTANGLED IN THE HAIR???? BUT NEVER MIND IT´S ONLY A NATURAL SMELL :)& AS I MENTIONED HOP IN A HOT BATH & BE READY FOR THE NEXT ROUND HHHHMMMMMM DELECIOUS:)ALL THE BEST LUVY MATEY´S JOLLY GREETINGS & KINDEST OF REGARDS WWW.bfbs.com" CHEERS YOUR OLAFF:)
Good to see you haven't posted in awhile, means your to busy Vacationing.
Yeah right or "Hey Neurotica!"..., "Grow Some!!!", hehehehe "What are do they call the Donuts in Greeceland???" 000 Heh!?
loss of sleep is teh total suck!
My Hubbie and I really laughed at this post. It sounds so much like our times in Spain going through the markets. You just cannot believe the smell until you are there in person, you know? I can't believe it was your hair that smelled like fish. Hilarious. I hope the shower solved the problem.
Where are you Neurotica? We miss you and miss your posts,anyway,Have enjoy time.
Cool Site
Superb post, truly excellent photos. One of your very best.
Greetings NIW :D
Just wanted to drop in and give you a shout-out. Hope all is well!
Your visit to Greece sounds really . I had to go over to Flickr and spend an hour browsing through photos. Beautiful place, indeed!
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