I took a trip yesterday with my uncle and the baby to visit his parents. They don’t live too far away – they’re still in Athens. Like, “suburban” Athens. Suburbia in Greece is so much different than what you would imagine. Not even close to the cookie-cutter image you may be thinking of.
But anyway, I haven’t been to that house in eleven years.
They’re pretty much a typical happy, chill Greek family. They’re engulfed in all sorts of greenery, they grow their own vegetables and have a backyard full of goats, lambs, and chickens. They used to have six ostriches as well. I remember seeing them last time I came, but they have since passed. Well, some passed naturally, some may or may not have been eaten. I won’t say more.
I had a kick out of petting the goats. I walked into the backyard all skeevish not wanting to touch the goats, but I walked out wanting to bring one home with me. My uncle and I named her Alexis. She kept following me and wanted some love.
I never thought I would love goats so much.
Unfortunately, I didn’t remember to pet under her chin to see if she would make “the face”. I’m sure we’ll take another trip there soon, so I will attempt petting under her chin to see if she’ll make “the face”.
I think about two years ago my dad experienced some kind of mid-life crisis in which he built a sort of cage/bird sanctuary in our backyard. He got partridges, chickens, doves, quails, and eventually a rabbit or two. For us in the beginning it was so strange living with that in our backyard. Like, who in suburban New York has chickens?
When I moved to Portland, it was actually quite common for people to have chickens. I lived in a courtyard with neighbors who took care of three chickens in a special built coop. Since coming back from Portland, I’ve noticed it’s becoming more of a common thing for people anywhere to have chickens and eat fresh eggs. It’s becaming a normal occurrence.
Coming to Greece is a little more of an eye opener because not only do people have chickens, but they have goats, lamb, and other animals. Hell, my family had ostriches. It’s strange to walk into a backyard seeing all these animals thinking this is a normal way of life for people, and I’m slowly appreciating the contrast viewing how all sorts of people live.
Do you think so?
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