What's in a meat variety?... A variety

At the end of my first full day in Greece, I've discovered what  meat variety is, what tzatziki sauce is, and pretty much how not behave in a Greek restaurant. Our first dining experience took place at a restaurant in downtown Athens, aka the market place. It was cobble stone streets, low twinkle lighting and lots of street vendors. When we first sat down for dinner, the waiter/ host was sitting outside and practically begged us to take a table. It was different, but we were starving so  we sat. 

We got a table outside, despite the chilly weather, but we were under a giant heat lamp. The menu was not written in complete Greek, but there was a Greek specials menu. When the waiter noticed we had questions, he offered us a look inside the kitchen. That was so different. We actually went back into the kitchen and saw one of everything on the menu. Now that is one tradition that the US needs to do. I would probably never eat at my favorite Chilis or iHop ever again after seeing inside the kitchen. Once we got to actually see the food, our decisions became easy. I ordered "Oven Chicken" (pictured right) with oven potatoes. The meal was very, very salty, but I still enjoyed the flavor. The Chicken fell right off the bone. 

So our table finished eating after 15 minutes, yet our waiter never came by our table. In fact it was finally going on an hour after our meal finished when we finally asked for the check. Once you sit at a table in Greece, that table belongs to you for the night, no question about it. It seems as if a meal in Europe is like watching a movie in the US. The family is gathered around, and everyone sits back and relaxes for hours on end.

Now, as for the second meal, (pictured left), it was much, much different. First of all, Laura and I decided to share a meat variety.. What is that you may ask? Well we asked that same question, and received the response "a variety". Well then, that's that. Turns out, its beef, two types of sausage, chicken, bacon and burgers with french fries on top. Everything had so much flavor, yet each meat was completely different. The two sausages were different, the burger was so unlike any America burger I've ever had, and the french fries actually tasted like potatoes. 

One unexpected surprise of every Greek meal I've had so far has more to do with the cats running around. It's almost impossible to sit outside for a meal with out one or two stray cats coming around looking for some dinner. Emily enjoyed that a lot, but I really just felt bad for the animals. Strays are literally everywhere in Greece, both cats and dogs.

So far, my trip has been excellent. The Acropolis, Parthenon, and Acropolis museum were amazing. The pictures seriously do not do the beauty of the view any sort of justice. I was enraptured with the sights and the history and I can't wait to see and learn more. Check out my Facebook for more pictures!