OMNOM!

Happy Fourth of July! :)

Even though we are currently in Greece, we got to take the day off of school and classes (I'm not complaining) and took a day trip down to Sounion. 

First stop was the Temple of Posiedon, and while it was really cool to be able to see another awesome ancient structure still up and standing, the view from the top of the hill was even more spectacular! 


But before we stopped for the beach, we headed for lunch (excitement!). Since today's lunch was planned and we were eating as a group, we didn't have to pay, hooray! (well, it was kinda included in our original price for the trip but still...). So it shouldn't surprise you that not only did it excite me that we were headed for lunch, but it was FREE lunch! 


So in Greece,  a common way of dinning (especially in big groups) is family style ,that's where there are a bunch of different dishes in the middle and you help yourself to whatever you like (but don't forget to share!). Lucky for you I brought my camera with me today and took a picture of every single dish we were handed, so prepare to get hungry.

On the menu today:

 First up, bread. It was toasted and coated with olive oil and herbs. So, pretty much a taster version of garlic bread!
Right after this came some really good dip that I forgot to take a picture of, but it was basically a pureed cheese dip with a little kick.
I seems as if most Greek meals come with a sauce (especially tzatziki sauce!)



Next up came the traditional Greek salad. While in the US I never really understood how it was a salad if it didn't have any lettuce in it, but now I've come to accept the fact and it's become one of my favorite dishes! It mainly consists of tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, olives, and cheese (that's what that big white chunk is on top!). And the dressing consists mainly of olive oil and spices (kinda like the bread....most likely a trend in Greek cuisine).

Here's a new version of saganaki (fried cheese) that I've run into. Usually it comes in a big rectangular piece of fried cheese, and let me say, I'm not much of a cheese person, but this stuff is good!
(squeeze the lemon over it for added freshness :P)






Next up, more cheese!! That's right, we have here a huge chunk of feta cheese brought on its very own plate. It can be used if you use up all the cheese in your Greek salad (it happens) and also goes well with pretty much anything that they serve you. But seriously, a plate just for cheese?!

Mmmm, these were some sort of zucchini stuffed delciousness. I'm not actually sure what else is in them, but I've had them before and they are quite yummy, especially if you add at least one of the variety of sauces/dips that is provided (more cheeeese please)








This dish took me a little bit longer than usual to get the guts to try it. Wonder why? Well there are these things called tentacles, and here you can actually see them! The saying "you eat with your eyes" comes into play for this dish. I'm not too fond of seafood, so if I can really tell that it's going to taste fishy, well, I probably wont eat it. Oh! I never told you what it was, sorry. If you haven't guessed already, this is fried calamari (with a side of tentacles...). I wasn't feeling too gutsy today so I didn't try any today, but I had previously tried the tentacle-y one at a different restaurant, and it wasn't half bad, just a little chewy...  

Can you guess what this is? It's looks kinda funky, but it's Greek sausage (don't ask what's in it (I don't know)). It's pretty good, but this version was a little bit too spicy for my taste.






Hey look fries! Yup that's right, fries are a common side here in Greece (well, at least from the restaurants I've been too) and they are way better than American fries!! Which surprises me because aren't we supposed to be the Kings of fried food??

Now, best for last!
I would have to say this dish was my favorite out of all the yummy things we consumed for lunch. It was some sort of pork dish with shredded cheese on top. I really wish I knew what and how they made it, but from consumption I was able to gather that it was slow cooked (nice and tender, yummm), and that it was cooked with some kind of wine (source: Erika). In a way it kinda reminded me of the slow cooked pork that my momma makes sometimes, which might explain why I liked it so much....





The AFTERMATH! Everything was very delicious, as you can tell (there's nothing left on the table!).

With full tummies we headed to the beach for 3 hours for swimming and chilling as a group (I was successfully un-burnt today!). After we got back to the dorms and relaxed for a bit (the sun wears you out), we got back together for a short little birthday party for the youngest of the Kaplan klan, Ellie. And also one of our fellow classmates Jimmy (they even had yummy cupcakes and ice cream!). But wait, there's more! We went to the local field and played some intense games of frisbee and I learned some soccer tricks. A couple of local guys even joined us for some tossing of the frisbee! Needless to say, I've had a long day and it's time for bed! Gotta be energized for a fun packed day tomorrow :)

Hope you have a happy forth of July, and don't forget to play with the fireworks! :P