Thursday, June 07, 2007

Too good to be true

moreneighbors


Recently, while we were cleaning our new house in the mountains outside Thessaloniki, an overwhelming aroma of dog poo permeated the balcony. I just knew one of us had stepped in something, what with the number of dogs roaming the area, and I was certain it was being dragged through our house that very moment.

My husband came out to the balcony and asked me what was wrong. I told him I smelled dog poo. He took a big whiff, wrinkled his nose, and informed me that it wasn't dog poo. Oh no. It was country smell. It was the unmistakable olfactory blend of animals, dirt, vegetation, and whatever else can be conjured up in a small mountain village. My city nose definitely didn't like the sound smell of that.

After a couple of minutes, it passed. I suppose it depends on which way the wind blows. Well, when we move up there the wind is going to blowing a huge increase in incense sales on our part. I should have known our perfect country home would start showing some ugly imperfections. I wonder what will be in store for us next.

7 comments:

Flubberwinkle said...

The upside: fleeting waves of "eau de chorio" are a small price to pay for a gorgeous view, clean air and open spaces.

All this talk of dog-poo reminded me of an old joke: Why do they call it sham-poo?
:-)

bryan-in-greece said...

Keeping a peg in the pocket might be a wise move, Mel...! Kilkis often gets a stink blown over from the rubbish tip outside of town. No wonder we get rats in town...

Thistlemoon said...

I used to live in an agricultural area when I lived in New England. You always knew spring has arrived from the smells permeating the air! I can tell you I do not miss that!

Anonymous said...

Hope its an acceptable price to pay for a nice place in the country, Mel.

Yianna said...

Ah, country smell. It used to terrorize me when I was a child visiting my maternal grandparents in a little village in Crete, especially since both of my parents used to breathe it all in and say, "ah, the country!" Weren't these the same people who used lemon Glade back home?

Seriously, though, the view is amazing! What a pad! Another reasons why the greater Thessaloniki area will always triumph over that of Athens.

Unknown said...

just now read your forever Americanida and I liked it. It reminds me of me . I am ellinas4ever (hhtp://ellinas4ever.blogspot.com) living in my AMERICA( http://myameriki.blogspot.com).
My family and I visti the Smokeys every year.
Admire your strength

melusina said...

Flubberwinkle - I agree. And there are plenty of nice smelling things to fill the house with. Now, I don't know if I want to know the answer to your joke. ;)

Bryan - Rats. Well, I am glad we have cats.

JennDZ - I just hope I get used to it eventually. If I can deal with the smell of the litter box, anything is possible, right?

AT - It will be an acceptable price to pay, hopefully.

Yianni - I plan on using lots of lemon glade in the new house! I'm sure Athens has its nice views, too, if not crowded views.

George L - Hi, and welcome! It just goes to prove that being an expat is a common experience in some ways, no matter where you are living!