Liquid Gold: Greece's Greatest Asset

Many come to Greece in search of glorious ruins, of prodigious myths and legends, of a kind of serenity which may only be found upon the halcyon waves of the Aegean Sea…

I, on the other hand, have come for the olive oil.

Olive oil, so it is said by the locals, is the “liquid gold” that maintains the financial, physical and spiritual health of Greece and it’s warm, magnanimous people. It is the primary means of food, trade, and tradition amongst much of the country, especially in the more remote, barren territory of the Greek Islands. Yet many tourists seem to take this for granted, indulging in Greece’s more conspicuous historical delicacies at the expense of missing out on some of the country’s finest cultural and culinary offerings. Being a traveler who enjoys exploring the hidden alleys, the cracks in the walls, the raw, organic heart and soul of the world, I am following the unparalleled taste of local Greek olive oil, and embracing every adventure along the way, however grand or incidental.

My taste buds led me along the culturally rich (albeit touristy) roads of La Placa, where I spent the evening at a café overlooking the ancient gr

ounds of the Agora - the marketplace of the ancient Greeks - eating in the eclipse of the Acropolis upon the hill (which is donned in changing colored lights).

It led me up the funicular, to the lantern-ed terrace where I dipped liquid gold while Athen's neighborhoods twinkled on, and the mast lights of sailboats illuminated the Sea of Crete.

It led me across the waves into the heart of the Greek islands, to a serene meal perched upon a tiny restaurant deck, the waves crashing beneath my feet and the sun setting over my head, plunging into the deepening orange hues of the sea.

It led me down crowded streets and through basement cafes. It led me to beaches bustling with greased up tourists (with one memorable terrace) and it led me to a band of local musicians hanging around the bars.

Who knows… your olive oil cravings may even lead you headfirst into spontaneous adventures, drinking raki (a local drink made from fermented grapes) and doing a little dance with a Cretian dance troupe. After all… sometimes it is the experiences you inadvertently stumble upon that prove to be the most transformative moments of your life.

So go see the Acropolis. Go hear the tale of the Colossus of Rhodes

and admire the Charioteer.

Enjoy the Temple of Delphi and the Monestary of St. John.

These are, after all, among the innumerable must-sees of Greece, and some of the finest architectural and historical landmarks on the face of the Earth. When you’re done, however, come join me at the café down the street. I’ll save you a couple grape leaves and, yes, a heaping plate of bread and fresh liquid gold.

This post submitted by Rob Borchert, whose musical adventures around the globe took him to Turkey and Greece this past summer, where he reveled in the culinary as well as cultural treasures! To learn more about Rob's music, go to www.RBorchertmusic.com!