The books I got. I had wanted to read A Wild Sheep Chase, since Fb mentioned it sometime last summer.
Friday M and I went to bookshops and I bought a few books. I thought if I can’t write, at least, I still can read. Let’s take advantage of this ability now. Then, as we were walking on a hill of Athens, a girl approached us and asked for directions. She was a tourist from the Dominican Republic. A sweet girl. She was lost and it was late and I thought I’d be helpful, so we showed her around a bit. We took her to Plaka and we had dinner together. She told me about her country and the things they cook and eat. She told me about her family and showed me pictures of her brother and sisters. She talked about her studies and her dreams to travel to Berlin and London. We might meet again before she leaves early this week.
Stuffed vine leaves
garden salad
grilled vegetables
oyster mushrooms
tomato patties
grilled haloumi cheese
the restaurant
Saturday We went out to -a huge- lunch with my sister and Joe who has just arrived from London. He brought me Hello Kitty things. He said people there could understand his sense of humour more. I wish we could all live in the places where more people laugh at our jokes.
At night we went to a new hotel’s roof garden. There is a nice bar there and I’ve always liked hotels. I like them when they are pretty and impersonal. I don’t get the same feeling from traditional inns. I like hotels that do not feel lived in.
the lobby
the view (some of it, there were ugly parts too)
the bar
Joe and my sister
the hotel is near the central meat market of Athens, which was deserted and spooky
some lovely greek kitsch on our way to the bar
Sunday 
We went to see our son and have lunch at my mum’s. He has been making Super Mario figurines with his play dough. He is very proud of them. As we were having ice cream together (he likes pistachio, why do men/ boys like pistachio ice cream?) I saw someone I didn’t expect to see. Someone from my old job, at the newspaper. One of the people I worked most closely with and one whom I had considered a friend. Until the time came when he could stand up for me and didn’t because he didn’t want to jeopardise his reputation as the obedient employee. I am not angry anymore. I hugged him and was glad to see him. And I wanted to say “look, I survived” which is pretty obvious, I suppose. M wasn’t that glad to see him though. He just mumbled hello and made the impression of a grin.
my mum made this imam (that’s what it’s called)
my mum made this too, she calls it pasta souffle!
All day The kind people at Gimme Your Stuff, are doing a great job. They provide a place where you can swap things with bloggers from all over the world. The rules are very simple but the joy of receiving things is great (as I know very well). Go see for yourselves.
a typical greek kiosk and my son buying gum
I love Iggy Pop "I saw her in a dream but it wasn’t true Through the smoke and fire Of the exhaust fumes She just laughed and loved me ’till I was no use And I’ll never fall in love again She’s a motorcycle that I can’t ride She’s a precious jewel that I can’t buy She’s a scene I’m playing in which I die And I’ll never fall in love again"
July 23rd, 2006 at 5:15 pm
I love Murakami… I haven’t heard of the other books. Let me know if they are any good. I’m reading a funny book that to me is written like a funny blog entry.
Your pictures are really well shot and composed. The food’s fabulous!
missy xx
July 23rd, 2006 at 5:44 pm
What amazing pictures! I have to say, however, that the garden salad and haloumi pics were my favourites. Haloumi… Mmmm…
July 23rd, 2006 at 6:05 pm
The restaurant that you and your sister went to looks lovely; I would love it there; and all the food;MMMMmmmmmmm.
Food and photo porn.
Happy beginning of the week, Chloe.
July 23rd, 2006 at 10:48 pm
Hi Chloe, I found you through Connie from Mumbo Jumbo and I like so much your blog. I have a dream to make a visiting to Greece. I have many books about Greece, and I love Greek’s mythology. Did you born in Atenas? I am glad I “meet” you. Regards from Sonia, São Paulo, Brazil.
July 23rd, 2006 at 11:47 pm
food porn? are you a vegisexual??
July 24th, 2006 at 4:34 am
i love how many pictures you use. and i’m all hungry even though i just ate a bit ago. it all looks so good and fresh for summer.
the heat here’s been almost unbearable in that sticky, muggy way we almost never get. i hope it cools off soon. riding in this is no fun, even on the highway.
i really didn’t know you had a son! haha. i feel kinda out of the loop in some ways and brought back into it in others.
July 24th, 2006 at 5:00 am
Great pictures as ever Chloe, I especially like the look of the Pasta Souffle !!!
Thanks
July 24th, 2006 at 5:52 am
I really want to read A Wild Sheep Chase. I heard it’s really good. Is it?
I loved the snaps, especially of the rooftop pub!
July 24th, 2006 at 1:54 pm
missy
what is the funny book you are reading??
stephanie
the garden salad was yum. haloumi looks nice but was a bit like biting a rubber glove.
Cathy
i’ll take you there too! i have to keep notes of the things you like.
Sonia
hi! Yes i was born in Athens. You are a journalist too! I like your blog, it’s full of nice pictures.
Moondog
you found me out. I am attracted to oyster mushrooms.
great white hype
ahaha, i had a son while you were not reading.
Ben
this is the most fattening thing ever. it has pasta, cheeses, double cream, butter. it’s lucifer’s soufle, that’s what mum should call it.
Strictly
hello and welcome!
i haven’t started it yet. My blogfriend Finn says it is good and i trust his taste completely.
July 24th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
podcasting is such an excellent idea. Go for it.
July 24th, 2006 at 2:44 pm
Wow. What a view!! And your photos are amazing.
July 24th, 2006 at 4:05 pm
Am I going to get away with saying too much food, and not enough porn?!
July 24th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
How are you? The food all look so yummy. Makes me hungry.
July 24th, 2006 at 7:01 pm
I loved that book - so strange though. If you like it, I highly recommend Wind-Up Bird Chronicle too.
I wish we could all live in places where people laugh at our jokes too
July 24th, 2006 at 8:12 pm
i want A Wild Sheep Chase SO bad! buying it now…. tell me what you think lady…
July 24th, 2006 at 8:45 pm
I’d love to bump into you and ask you directions… love the foodie shots. Mmmm…
I <3 Murakami as well, it took me a while and still can't figure out whether or not I like some of his writing or not, but I really loved A Wild Sheep Chase. My ex flatmates raided my Murakami collection before I left and it was sadly depleted... ;o(
I saw a play of some the short stories at the barbican a few years back. T’was brilliant!
July 24th, 2006 at 9:24 pm
I’ve never tried pistachio ice cream, but I can say none of my guys would eat it.
July 24th, 2006 at 11:28 pm
Oh, Chloe … your photos always make my mouth water. You have such amazing food, and scenery, and everything else !! I just love all your photos … they are just wonderful.
Hope your week is going well.
Take care, hugs, Meow
July 25th, 2006 at 2:15 am
well congrats.
wow.
it’s like how my best friend almost sprung a marriage on me before i even knew he was dating the girl. imagine my surprise!
so is he bigger than he looks? because he’s really gotten onto his feet really quickly otherwise.
July 25th, 2006 at 2:48 pm
i missed this! just scrolled down and found it. love the pics.
i am jealous of the girl who was lost and you helped. i want to go to dinner with you and be lost in greece!! lol.
July 27th, 2006 at 2:53 am
Is your son buying some of that sugarless gum that you sent me? Mmmmm. Love all the pictures as usual. What a beautiful life you live!
July 30th, 2006 at 10:57 pm
Here are some links that I believe will be interested
August 8th, 2006 at 11:21 pm
Here are some links that I believe will be interested
September 1st, 2006 at 4:16 am
What if all the people of this world could share just one day of peace?