Crete - a day in Sitia (2)

I left off yesterdays post at the fortress above Sitia. This morning the internet is marginally better so I will continue.

 

There was an expansive view of the bay from up there and

we made our way back down through narrow streets

populated by many cats. They all look pretty well fed though I suspect they are feral. Most have the notch in their ear that indicates they have been neutered.

We kept walking down hill. That church, up there, will have to wait until another day.

The neighbourhood turned from residential to small stores and we stopped at this green grocers and loaded up with tomatoes, bananas, onions, garlic, romaine, apples, carrots and broccoli. Everything looked so fresh.

At this little store we picked up local sheep's milk yogurt, local feta (so much cheaper than at home) and local honey.

I was looking for some sketching pens and, after inquiries at 2 bookstores, found a book and art store. As it was a Saturday the woman behind the counter had her son with her. He was about 6, maybe 7, Joseph, and he was absolutely fluent in English. I asked if he learned it in school and she said no, he learned it watching YouTube videos in English. He seemed very pleased to have English speakers that he could practice with. 

Next stop, a bakery.We didn't get these mouse shaped mousse but instead got some slices that looked like baklava but were also filled with custard.

We stopped for lunch so we wouldn't be hungry when grocery shopping. A traditional Greek salad....no lettuce, tons of tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper (I think she added this because we asked for no onions) and a huge slice of feta with a sprinkle of oregano. Neither of us finished it so it came home in a box. Love leftovers!

Grocery shopping is always an adventure in a new place. Although Sitia is known for its olive oil it was very expensive so, although we bought Cretan olive oil, it was not local. A nice young man, a customer, noticed us searching for Oregano and pointed it out to us. We then found him again to ask about salad dressing. He said he didn't think there would be any as everyone just used oil, vinegar and herbs, so we will too. Eggs were just on a shelf, not in a cooler. Rick bought Cretan beer and I bought a couple of Cretan red wines to try.