The Philosopher!
On previous trips we have been told that Amorgos is the most expensive island. Here are some of the prices that we have paid: Gas for our car = $2.40/litre, 2 apples = $1.20, white bread = E1.40, brown bread = $1.70, 500g oatmeal = $5.00, eggs = $.30 each, 1 litre milk = $2.50, cheese pie = $2.10, 200g yogurt = $1.50, 250g butter = $4.50. All produce prices are ridiculously high.
It is difficult to compare the cost of eating out because what ends up on the table is so different to what we expect at home. I will use last night's dinner as an example. Four of us shared this meal: two grilled fish(nothing else on the plate), two grilled pork steaks(each steak had a dozen french fried potatoes with it), one Greek salad, one bowl of briam(stewed veggies), one spinach pie(cut into one thin slice each), a bottle of Greek organic wine and a large bottle of water. The total bill was E51(about $70) before the tip.
There are advantages to this type of meal. The pork was raised and slaughtered by the owner, the fish was also caught that day by a local fisherman, the misithra cheese on the salad, made from goat milk, was processed by the owner, the spinach pie and the briam were made that morning by his mother. We are fortunate to have Greek friends who know which tavernas offer locally grown meals.
Environmentally, Greece is making changes. On most islands, including Amorgos, there are recycling bins for paper products, glass and plastic. It is difficult to tell whether the average resident takes time to separate their garbage and who knows where the collections from these bins end up!
A smoking ban came into effect just before we arrived in Greece. It doesn't seem to have made any difference in the cafes and tavernas on the island. Who is going to police it?? This is considered another invasion of personal rights!
Apparently most of the islands are considering desalination. Plastic water bottles are the curse of these islands where no potable water is available.
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