When I think back to what started this progression of events that led me to working on a farm in Greece, I have to pinpoint the Dupont Farmers’ Market in Washington, DC.
It’s a lovely place that I went to religiously (borderline fanatically) as a student in college there.
I loved the idea of the same people who had planted and harvested vegetables, selling them to me. They knew all about them, the vegetables were fresher. Really something was there in those markets that is disconcertingly missing from the modern supermarket.
There have been many markets since then. Most recently the one I go to every Saturday in Korinthos.
Supermarkets are a relatively new phenomenon in Greece and from the size of the crowds and the length of this market, I’d say that the majority of the town of Korinthos buys their weekly produce outdoors, straight from producers.
I don’t buy much at the market, mostly because we grow almost everything I could want. But I do like to wander and see the different things that grow in Greece. In December.
This week I bought some persimmons from this vendor. I always buy pomegranates.
And this man, who calls me “a doll” in Greek every week, supplies me with the best, most fresh raisins I have ever tasted.
Every week there are no more raisins left by Wednesday. Even though I keep trying to make them last til Friday…
In the two months or so I’ve been living in Greece, I’ve realized that farming is something I want to do more of in the future. I am in the midst of applying to a farming apprenticeship in Maine beginning in April. So I should be back Stateside for the majority of 2013! Not in the South, but at least my Verizon cell phone will work!
Titica, who has either batted our house’s only thermometer deep under the fridge, or has eaten it. Either way the family is not pleased.
Liz, you inspire me. I am working on eating more healthy, eating fresh foods and being creative with vegetables. Tonight, I bought an eggplant and will be making a dish with it and onion. To be near a fresh market would be wonderful. Bless you and I’ll see you soon, hopefully. Love you