Day Two

We are going dumpster diving. Yiannis says we will leave around 1:30 to "get some supplies" but it's closing on 2 and I'm still cleaning pigeon crap.

It's already been an eventful day. A ferret bit me. I discovered two dead birds (Savannah says this is a daily occurrence) AND after skinning 30 pounds of chicken I've reverted to not eating meat.

At 2:30, Yiannis emerges, "OK now we must go. This. This is the feesh car." The fish car smells like fish. It's a small Fiat hatchback with no passenger seat and garbage everywhere. We put water in a nozzle under the hood, "Must poot da water in da feesh car."

He gives me the run down of places we must go. I look over at him, trying to  understand more of what he says, and I have to resist the urge to laugh---huge crumbs are stuck to his huge, brown beard.

 "Rich people. Poor minds" is what Yiannis says about our first dumpster. It's a fairly new supermarket and Yiannis is disappointed because: 1.) They do not recycle and 2.) The dumpster is filled with plastic-no meat, no veggies.

We go to the next spot, a manufacturing plant of some sort, and load up on cardboard. Yiannis ties the cardboard to the top of the car. He spots an elaborate cupboard close to the waste site. The cupboard is half the size our car but Yiannis loads it on. "Magic car," he announces.

"Ahhh wonderful, meat here for the vultures." We are now at the older supermarket and Yiannis is head first in the dumpster. His sandals, which are too small for his dirt-caked feet, are facing the dark sky.

With everything he finds, Yiannis shows enthusiasm and explains the purpose:

"Ahhh yes...carrots, perfect for iguana. Peppers also."

"Tomatoes. Good for monkey, chicken and rooster."

"Ohhh the fox...fox will like these!"

 The fiat's bottom could lick the ground but Yiannis says we have to go see Pavlos. Pavlos has more birds. Pavlos also has a bag of bottled drinks, packages of yogurt and newspapers. Yiannis directs me as I back up because our goods block my vision. While he's helping me, he scans the dumpster across the street, to make sure he didn't miss anything.

"You remember the way, right?" I don't. At this point I've done circles around the island. Pistachio trees and stone terraces don't make the best landmarks. He instructs me where to go but elicits, "Remember this yellow telephone? We passed earlier? Remember this shop?  Here is the first dumpster. See? "

"I...I used to bike up this mountain with all the food....before we had car...one time...I bike up with 40 pounds of sardines." I believe it. This man's commitment is unshakable.

We are almost back to Ekpaz when he asks me which animal is my favorite. I tell him I like the donkey. "Ahh yes, the donkey is so friendly. Friendly to everyone. Always wants to cuddle. Will eat anything. I like donkey too."

"You are strong woman." I have to use all my muscle to pull the Fiat perpendicular to the Ekpaz kitchen.  I wait for Yiannis to give me further instructions but he doesn't, "You rest now. I must check new animals. Thank you for help."  No, Yiannis. Thank you.