If there is one thing that the Greeks like (besides yogurt, gyros, cigarettes and mustaches), it's fish and lamb - OK, that's two things, (or really six). So, of course, there is a enormous wholesale market in Athens for both, and one that also sells nuts and olives, but their poses aren't all that dramatic or blog worthy.
Yesterday, our Hop On, Hop Off bus passed a famous wholesale meat and fish market, and while I don't think many tourist go back - we just had to! Besides wanting to wander the long, dark (and odoriferous) army barrack-like buildings, it was also next to the local's "wholesale hardware-store row" and we wanted more European plug converters. So, off we went (all seven of us) on the Athens subway to find the markets (which were conveniently located next to some really nice flea market type shops as well).
Not much to say about these markets other then they were very cool and very 'anatomy-class like' - it was on the cusp of being scientific specimens on display. But where else would you see something this authentic and gritty? In the U.S. the fresh meat purveyor markets are not really open to the public, plus they open at 5 AM and are closed by noon. That is, unless a hipster bar scene springs up and kicks them out like in Chicago and NYC.
The kids wouldn't dare enter in, so the women and children waited outside, while us men-folk rushed forth, camera's-a-blazing. It was very cool to experience and reminded me of a sign I used to read daily on Halsted Street (near both the Chicago meat market and our Greek Town - Freshly Slaughtered Lamb Available Here).
I think I'll order the lamb tonight. Just not the head.
Yesterday, our Hop On, Hop Off bus passed a famous wholesale meat and fish market, and while I don't think many tourist go back - we just had to! Besides wanting to wander the long, dark (and odoriferous) army barrack-like buildings, it was also next to the local's "wholesale hardware-store row" and we wanted more European plug converters. So, off we went (all seven of us) on the Athens subway to find the markets (which were conveniently located next to some really nice flea market type shops as well).
Not much to say about these markets other then they were very cool and very 'anatomy-class like' - it was on the cusp of being scientific specimens on display. But where else would you see something this authentic and gritty? In the U.S. the fresh meat purveyor markets are not really open to the public, plus they open at 5 AM and are closed by noon. That is, unless a hipster bar scene springs up and kicks them out like in Chicago and NYC.
The kids wouldn't dare enter in, so the women and children waited outside, while us men-folk rushed forth, camera's-a-blazing. It was very cool to experience and reminded me of a sign I used to read daily on Halsted Street (near both the Chicago meat market and our Greek Town - Freshly Slaughtered Lamb Available Here).
I think I'll order the lamb tonight. Just not the head.
RSS Feed
