First, I must say how much I love that cat carving, though, for all I know, it's just a cheap "nothing." But I would have taken that and lugged it everywhere - just to have it. Its value is more in where it was found and giving this art "another life," not necessarily in the carving itself (although -- bonus points -- I love cats). I observed it was somewhat damaged, but even that is part of its charm. I hope someone else found it to love.
To me it looked like the kind of stuff you see in markets with stuff imported from Africa, which there are loads of them in port cities around the south of Italy and Spain, but i've never seen one in Greece so it is a bit unusual.
However, i think taking something along just because there is a nice story about how you found it is how you end up with a house full of stuff that you don't know what to do with. I thought to myself, what will i do with this if i take it home? And i realized it would just sit in a drawer where i never see it until next time i move, and then i'll look at it and have a nice memory, pack it away and forget about it again. For stuff like that, i'd rather just take a photo. If i am not going to use it on a regular basis, it doesn't really feel worth it to me.
I wonder where that statue is from. The flowers look vaguely African, so immediately it made me think of it being some poor immigrant’s lost treasure when their boat capsized. But it’s probably just some locally-made tchotchke. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
It seemed African to me too, although as i mentioned in a comment to sweetmeow, it is a bit unusual to see African stuff in Greece. It's more common in Spain and Italy (and presumably France) where there are regular ferry crossings and a lot more African travelers and immigrants.
I hope it wasn't washed up from a migrant boat, although i suspect migrants packed onto those boats wouldn't have either the space or reason to carry ornaments with them.
Greece is an interesting place. It has a curious recent history and a fairly politically active population, at least in Athens and probably Thessaloniki too. There are aspects of the working class and rural culture that are quite similar to southern Italy and southern Spain, but there is also a nationalist undercurrent i didn't really notice before. I think because unlike Italy and Spain it doesn't feel like a federation of independent political entities. It's just Greece and everyone is Greek and that's the party line
( ... )
Comments 10
Reply
However, i think taking something along just because there is a nice story about how you found it is how you end up with a house full of stuff that you don't know what to do with. I thought to myself, what will i do with this if i take it home? And i realized it would just sit in a drawer where i never see it until next time i move, and then i'll look at it and have a nice memory, pack it away and forget about it again. For stuff like that, i'd rather just take a photo. If i am not going to use it on a regular basis, it doesn't really feel worth it to me.
Reply
Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ.
Reply
Reply
I hope it wasn't washed up from a migrant boat, although i suspect migrants packed onto those boats wouldn't have either the space or reason to carry ornaments with them.
Reply
You're really selling me on Greece, A. In my mind it always felt like a touristy nightmare, which I guess it is in parts.
I love the pic of you on the bench
Reply
Reply
Yeah I'll probably hit Sicily before Greece. I've got a dear friend I'm overdue to visit in Catania
Reply
Traveling can wear you out, but it sounds like you used your energy well.
Reply
Leave a comment