A Trip to Titan
Last night, Kelly was kind enough to take me to my favourite Greek supermarket in Astoria, Titan. I bought two different kinds of feta cheese, one to eat and one to bake with. I bought taramosalata, which I breakfasted on this morning. I bought a year’s supply of my favourite olive oil soap bars. Who knows when I will be able to go back next? I spoke to a young couple who were quite excited to have discovered this store. I told them I have been coming for about thirty years or so. Peter used to take me. Afterwards, we used to go to Opa Opa. It is a Greek restaurant that served leg of lamb with lemon potatoes and lamb shanks on the bone, baked to exquisite perfection. Just thinking of it makes me drool! The owner, Patti, retired and went to live in Chicago near her daughter. Since she sold and left, it was not the same anymore. She made us feel as if we were welcome guests. Eventually, we stopped going, and then Peter died, and that was that. Kelly did not realize what a treat it was to go back last night. I wandered around wanting to buy everything in the store but reminding myself to be sensible. We hardly eat what we have at home. They have wonderful filo dough. I held it in my hands and asked, ‘Kelly, do you want me to make you baklava?’ ‘No, Mum, save your energy. It will not be completely eaten.’ They have a large selection of olives. You can taste them and choose the ones you like the best. You ladle it into a plastic container and give it to an elderly gentleman to weigh it and label it for you. At the cheese counter, there is a wide array of fabulous cheeses. My favourite is the Kasseri cheese. They patiently slice pieces for you to taste, with never a cross word if you take too long in deciding. They also advise you if you are hesitant. Every time I go there, I feel as if I have stepped back in time. No one calls out impatiently, ‘Next! Next!’ They politely ask you, ‘May I help you?’ As I sit to my breakfast on this quiet Sunday morning, I thank you, Kelly, for taking me there last night. You have put a smile on my face. Enjoy your weekend breakfast with your friends. You are a good and kind son…