On the road again...

Yes, that's right. I'm going to Ottawa for the weekend. The nations capital. A large metropolitan city but much less crowded than Toronto. That's a GOOD thing!!
My husband is already there visiting with a friend and I will be joining him on Saturday. I'm taking the VIA Rail train. There is no way that I would agree to take a Greyhound bus to Ottawa. That would be torture especially with the impending heat wave we are expecting this weekend: 33 degrees Celsius!

If anyone has any suggestions as to what kinds of things to do in Ottawa, please let me know. I have visited Ottawa twice before so I have been to the popular tourist attractions like Parliament Hill, the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the National Gallery. The question is, "what do I do this time around?"

Greekish Delight

I'm back from my 2 week trip to Athens. I must say I had a fantastic yet busy time. I helped my mother with the task of cleaning out all the closets in the house and bagging and disposing of 8 bags of my clothes and shoes/purses from the 1990s and around 30 or so English ESL books from my teaching days in Athens as well as my collection of University political science text books from Toronto that I had shipped to Greece when I moved there in 1993. Just to make note - there is nowhere (the equivalent of Goodwill or Salvation Army) to take used clothing to in Greece except distant monasteries or orphanages who expect you to shell out 40 Euros for a taxi to send the goods to them. We also asked some of our acquaintances if they knew of anyone who would like the clothing. We were repeatedly coming up against a brick wall. My mother and I put the bags of clothes and shoes next to the garbage bin and at some point during the night someone from the neighbourhood helped themselves to the many bags of clothes. Ditto with the books. Thank god for that, as I felt extremely guilty and angry with myself for "throwing" out perfectly good clothing and books into the trash. Greeks have "issues" with wearing second hand clothes or revealing to people that they want second hand...tsk tsk!

fruit bearing trees at home in suburb of Athens

The weather in Athens was quite hot and very sunny. The average temperature during my stay was hovering around 32 degrees Celsius. I also managed to make it to the beach one day and got a very bad sunburn on my shoulders. I did not wear sunblock. I became burned while plucking oysters and mussels out of the ocean by hand. My mother and I went to an island off the coast of Athens called Salamina. We spent the day with a childhood friend of my mother's who owned a beach house there. By the time I realized how badly I was burned, it was too late. My arms and shoulders were bright red and there was nothing I could about it but soothe the burn with standard after sun cream.

oyster picking in Salamina

fresh oysters picked by me and my mother

sunburn

sea urchin - my mother ate the eggs inside the cavity

there were plenty of jelly fish in the water that day

The highlight of my trip was eating fish and seafood practically everyday. Deep fried skate and squid, pickled octopus, steamed shrimp, grouper, sea bass, grilled fresh tuna, you name it. It was all very tasty and fresh from the local farmer's market. Then there was the delicious ice cream. Oh my god. I tried not to overdo it but I did consume 2 ice cream bars and 1 ice cream cone and more ice cream out of the carton at a friend's house. I also had my share of baklava, kadaifi, galaktoboureko, all syrupy and flaky and so buttery good. The tomatoes and watermelon in Greece are incredibly sweet and I had my fill of both. I also was offered some fresh farm eggs from a neighbour. The yolks were so vivid orange and I was tempted to have an omelette practically every second day. Which reminds me, I should have my cholesterol level checked.

Baklava

amazing double dipped rich dark chocolate coating vanilla and caramel ice-cream

Galaktoboureko (sweet custard and phyllo pie)

yum!

so good!

fresh farm eggs

large shrimp

pickled octopus salad

Then there is the shopping addiction I develop every time I go to Greece. Athens is indeed the place to shop especially during end of season sales - which - unfortunately for me - occurs in February and September. Nevertheless, I bought some clothes from an outlet mall/stock store for myself (yes, they exist even in Greece), I purchased quite a few items for my husband (at his request, of course), and some clothing items for each of my three nieces as they all have upcoming B-days.

I also overdid it on the shoe purchases. I bought 3 pairs for myself and one pair for my niece/goddaughter.

sandals and shoes!

purses and handbags!

Then there were the fragrant soaps and bath products with olive oil in them. I purchased some olive oil bath products for my S-I-L. What I had been ogling at for some time was the mastic infused skin care products. Apparently, mastic (fragrant tree resin used in Greek baking) added into skin care products is all the rage at the cosmetic counters and pharmacies. A bit too priceyfor me to indulge in purchasing this time around. Maybe next time.

The jewellery - as to be expected - was incredible and I purchased 2 inexpensive but interesting faux bijoux pieces for myself. I also became inspired to create some new jewellery pieces for my own projects.

At Monastiraki, I also picked up some kitcsh Greek souvenirs for friends. I love visiting the Monastiraki for it's quaint shops and winding pathways. It can be a tourist trap so I often practice caution (although bargaining is highly encouraged) but I always make sure that I talk Greek to the shop keepers so they don't try to pull a fast one on me. Tourists are easy targets in Athens for being swindled, especially by taxi drivers.

And finally, I packed my suitcase with oodles of 70% dark Pavlidis (health) chocolate for me and hubbie. Yeah, that is what the bars of dark chocolate state: "health chocolate." Don't you just love that?

I enjoyed traveling around the downtown of Athens by Metro. Their new, shiny and modern Metro system makes Toronto's subway system seem somewhat 3rd world. Of course the Athens Metro was built in 1999 whereas the Toronto Transit System has been around since the 1960s.

Athens Metro

I watched quite a bit of television in the evenings including the Eurovision music competition (Greece came in 3rd). Some very cheesy Greek celebrity talk shows, some B-rated American movies from the 80s and 90s, and the most annoying news / political discussions including arguments and insult-throwing by "experts." These debates are usually displayed on some 4 or 5 separate view panels on the tv screen, just like the opening scene to the Brady bunch show.

Hot debates included, the rising gas prices, the Eurovision competition and why Russia came in first, the rising prices of fresh produce, shootings during the elections in Yugoslavia (FYROM), debates around making Greece smoke free by 2010 (Greeks love their cigarettes), the first gay Greek marriage, going Green (FYI - I stumbled upon a recycling depot outside a major supermarket chain store, where you can dispose of glass bottles, metal cans and plastics. It was a 20 minute walk from the house. I only made it there on one occasion and disposed of about 15 bottles and cans. Other than that there is NO organized weekly recycling pick up (yet!) from residential areas. All the food scraps went into the garbage. Sad. So very sad.


The recycling depot outside AB Basilopoulos supermarket - you can chose to either redeem the bottle & cans for a coupon to use at the supermarket or donate the monetary credits to a children's charity. Interesting concept.

There is a wide range of non-Greek people now living permanently in Athens. For instance, there are people from Russia and many other Eastern European countries that have settled into the country, as well as Albanians, Romanians, Poles, Filipinos, Pakistanis and Indians, Chinese and Japanese. Greece has indeed become a country of foreign ethnicities and it is not unusual to find Japanese or Chinese restaurants in tourist destinations of the city.

As for cultural events, I attended none. I did not go to the Acropolis although I admired it from afar. I did not visit any museums but I saw plenty of archaeological sites on my daily trips to Athens. The downtown core of Athens was not yet teaming with throngs of tourists as it was still early in the season for that. In my opinion, the best time to go to Athens is May and late September to avoid tourist season.

All in all, I'm glad to be back home to the loving embrace of my husband. I'm also glad get out of the hot sun for a bit, although I do think a slight tan is actually quite becoming on me. And it's also nice to finally be back on-line as I was without my laptop and internet for the duration of my trip.

Athens bound

This is what I will be viewing come Monday morning! Yesireebub, I am going to the country often referred to as the 'cradle of civilization' and to the origin of my roots...Athens, Greece!

As I was just in Greece approximately 8 months ago with my husband, I do not have an agenda or any special touristy plans for this trip other than to spend time with my mother and help her out with some domestic chores.

For those who have not seen the Acropolis or the Parthenon up close, I highly recommend that you get there soon. The Parthenon leaves you speechless. It is so majestic and colossal!! You feel so tiny next to it and revel in it's beauty and size. To think that this architectural wonder was built so long ago by people that had no access to modern technology or machinery is mind boggling. It leaves a lasting impression on any tourist -- young and old. You often find yourself asking "how did they build this structure so long ago?" It is often a question that baffles modern day architects and which has led to many discussions and debates in an effort to explain the Parthenon's construction during 448 - 432 BC.

Athens is like any other modern day city with many boutique shops and fine eateries, juxtaposed with the intensity of traffic congestion and acrid pollution. The city never really quiets down (or even sleeps) at night and the young locals are notorious for eating dinner at 10 or 11 pm and then proceeding to a beach side bar or patio to dance the night away.

Things I plan to see and do while I am in Athens:

• visit shoe boutiques
• browse through clothing boutiques
• drool through the window of jewellery boutiques
• stuff my face with baklava, ice cream, fresh fish and seafood
• meet up with some relatives and friends
• hang out with my mom
  
• partake in major cleaning and organizing of the house my parent's own
• get a bit of a tan
• rest and relaxation
• read books and magazines
• watch some cheezy Greek television programs with subtitles
• people watching
  
• tell off taxi drivers who overcharge me - it has happened to me before and I actually spoke Greek to them too, so they knew I was not a tourist fresh off the plane
• visit some Greek Orthodox churches
• update my Greek identification and Euro Passport - time permitted
  

See you back here in early June.

As they say in Greek: Yeia sou!! (translation: good-bye & hello)

In with the new - out with the old!

After being spoiled with a series of super sunny and warm days back in mid-April - May has greeted us with cooler temperatures and plenty of rain.

Now - don't get me wrong - I do believe that rain is good for cleaning up all the muck on the streets that our harsh, snowy winter left behind and it's also great for the newly sprouted plants, but I was not prepared and properly attired for these forthcoming rainy days. I don't own a raincoat or a waterproof jacket nor do I have waterproof shoes or rain boots. So these past few rainfalls, I have been wearing my old, decrepit and holey Pumas. Let me tell you now that those sneakers do little to protect your feet from puddles and rainfall. They actually absorb water like a sponge.


This is when I decided to visit my local MEC. Now for those of you that do not know, MEC or Mountain Equipment Co-op is a Canadian store that sells outdoor hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, camping and 'roughing it' equipment and supplies for the outdoorsy types.

I am not an outdoorsy type. I LOVE nature and I LOVE wildlife (which includes insects too!) but I cannot live in a tent or sleep in a sleeping bag. I have tried. I was miserable and achy. And yes I am a Canadian but I can't say I'm a fan of camping. My husband on the other hand is a seasoned camper. I do not know the first thing about canoing or rock climbing. He loves all kinds of outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. Oh dear!

So when I mentioned to hubbie the other day that I wanted to stop by MEC and pick up some clothing he was surprised. "What?" YOU want to buy clothing from MEC and not Etsy? Whoa!!

Yes that's right! I want to get a waterproof jacket and a soft fleece or hoodie and perhaps a couple of organic cotton t-shirts and maybe a pair of Keen sneakers.

Well, suffice to say, I made my purchases at MEC. I spent a good hour or more combing the racks of clothing. Saw some very nice, fluffy Patagonia fleeces which , in my opinion, were wayyyy over priced. I passed on that. I tried on the Keen sneakers that they had on display and found them very stylish and cute but not the MOST comfortable. Then I tried on this pair of urban walking sneakers and yes! - I bought them. They fit like a glove. Ergonomic and contoured to my feet. And comfortable - hurray!

I also picked up a raspberry-coloured, inexpensive hoodie that is very soft, and a light waterproof jacket lined with fleece in grey. Actually, I wore this jacket home as it was raining when I left MEC. It is waterproof!! And warm!! The jacket is great for our rainy spring weather but I do have a critique to make. It is not the greatest fit for a woman with curves. It is form fitting on the torso BUT with no extra room around the hip area. I hope it loosens up with regular wear. What was MEC thinking? That every customer that shops there will have an athletic and buff physique with broad shoulders and a narrow hips?? Real woman do have curves!

So yes, my trip to MEC proved to be a success and now when it rains on Sunday - I can actually go outdoors and not worry about getting water in my shoes and drenched to the bone.

I still have my eye on these short-sleeve organic cotton t-shirts and their longer-sleeved counterparts, although I do find them a bit on the plain side. I think I'll visit Etsy to see their collection of creative t-shirts for the time being.

Shoes: Comfort and Style do exist!

In case you don't already know, I have an obsession with shoes. Most women do. However, I also find comfort an important factor when buying shoes.

I have had all kinds of unpleasant situations (blisters, callouses, corns) with ill-fitting shoes. Most new shoes will create some kind of unpleasantry to my feet. Even cushiony athletic sneakers will cause blisters the first few times I wear them.

When I was a young fashionista, I did not give one thought to comfort when I bought shoes. It was all about style and looking good. I suffered a lot those days. I remember one winter walking to school in these very trendy "Peter Pan" boots with a wrinkled leather exterior and a pointy toe. The soles were very slippery with no treads at all. I wore them on icy streets and took many slips and falls as a result. But I still wore them because after all I rather break a leg in style than look like a nerd when I was 18 years old.

Nowadays, when looking at shoes, I have a tendency to examine the shoe from all angles to ensure that they meet my strict criteria before I purchase them. Salespeople in shoe stores probably think I'm a weird piece of fruit but who cares! I will be wearing the shoes not them.
I don't care for stilettos. Or pointy toes. I like rounded toes or squarish toes on the shoes. I like flats but I also like a bit of a heel like a chunky heel or a kitten heel.

Recently I found myself at the mall and I popped into a bunch of shoe stores to see what sort of selections were available. I looked for a walking shoe with some pizazz. I also looked at sandals since summer is just around the corner. I did not want orthopedic looking shoes. I did not want shoes that would fall apart after a month of wear. I was really disappointed with the crappy shoe selection out there. I came home that day mumbling to myself about how I wish I could design shoes one day.

I decided to conduct a search for shoes on-line. One of the shoe sites I looked at was the New Balance website. I thought that they might have some decent walking shoes that are also comfortable. They did!! I saw a few pairs that I liked. But one pair that I REALLY wanted! A sandal/shoe hybrid. I had to drop by New Balance soon.

This past weekend I went to the nearest New Balance shoe store and tried on the pair that I was smitten with. They are really nicely designed shoes. When I tried them on, they felt incredible on my feet. Apparently the sole has some kind of memory foam so when you step into the shoe your foot sinks into the foam*(see specs below) and it feels so comfortable. Sold!!!



I won't tell you how much I paid for these very comfortable, stylish shoes because I'm still reeling from the shock. I do intend to get my money's worth from these shoes because they will go nicely with jeans, capris, skirts and yes - even dresses. And although I was hoping for something with some vibrancy and colour (not black) these shoes are unfortunately black.

Here is where the designer in me begins to conjure up colourway swatches for subsequent pairs of these shoes...black and red, tan and brown, silver and black, pink and brown, contrasting rubber sole/leather upper colours, contrast stitch colours...the possibilities are endless.

Shoe specs:

• Stridarc™ heeled rocker sole
• Full-length layer of Abzorb® cushioning
• Primalux™ comfort cushion topcover
• Removable Velocor™ footbed with stability cradle
• Soft-seam lining to avoid irritation
• Ionact® antibacterial protection

Happy Earth Day!

I know I have not posted anything in a while. I have been busily studying (read: cramming) for my final exam tomorrow for the course: "Ecological Principles of Sustainability" at the Ontario College of Art and Design. This course was such an eye-opener and I learned a good deal about what I can do as a citizen to assist in the quest for sustainable living. The bulk of the course readings and discussions included articles promoting alternative energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal powered homes and products, energy efficiency/renewable energy, ecosystems and human interferences, natural selection/evolution and modern day sustainability in our city.

Coincidentally, it is also Earth Day today and although I don't have any special celebrations planned for the day, I wanted to share something super cool with you readers.

A few weeks ago I purchased this from Etsy.com:


It's a wooden cuff made from reclaimed wood with a screenprinted image of a honeycomb pattern. I love the whole idea behind this bracelet cuff. 1) It's mahogany wood. 2) The wood is reclaimed. 3) It's biodegradable. 4) It is lightweight and fits snugly on my wrist. 4) I love the image of the honeycomb on the surface. Insects are my thing and I find them so fascinating especially how they build their homes and habitats.

The brains behind this wooden cuff is the creative and talented Industrial Designer - Sara Schalliol. She also has some colourful, geometric necklaces on her Etsy shop made from wood, which I have been coveting for some time. And that is not all. Sara also designs and creates some funky jewellery trees for displaying your jewellery collectables.

So if you want to make an eco-conscious purchase today to commemorate Earth Day look no further than here.

Why couldn't I have thought of this idea when I was a student studying Industrial Design and had access to an abundance of wood scraps from the wood shop...doh!

Green Coupons Galore

My little green book of BIG savings arrived today in the mail. I am so excited. It is full of local, Toronto-based 'green' businesses that are offering products and services for the aspiring ecoholic.

I can't wait to use the coupons to get a discount on a bicycle tune up or to purchase some new accessories for my bike like a wire basket. I'm so excited...Ohhhhh yeah!

I tend to be a coupon hound. I have the Entertainment coupon book for Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. I have used a dozen or so of these coupons/vouchers for discounts on restaurant meals and blockbuster movies.

I also go on-line and do a Google search for coupon sites that offer coupons to use in my city. I use coupons for groceries (Europe's Best frozen berries) and for entertainment (Cineplex theatres) and other necessities such razors and Tylenol.

This book offers some great deals! My husband couldn't even believe it . He thought it was a typo when one of the coupons indicated receive $20 off your groceries when you shop at "Organics on Bloor" (Street) ...can you believe that?

Some vegetarian/vegan/organic restaurants offer free appetizers. Others offer 10% off the bill. You can also find coupons to get you discounts (or one free class) for yoga or Pilates or a massage or a facial discount at an organic spa called Elixir. There are even services offered for your furry buddy like a nail clipping for Fido or Morris. It's also a great way to try out new restaurants and visit local businesses.

I think (for now) this little green book is only offered in Toronto. But you just never know, perhaps later 'the little green book' will become so popular that it will be available in other provinces. Spread the word.

Here is the site if you want to find out more about this little green gem!