Ex Votos

Four years ago I took a trip to Greece.  While in Athens

I visited the flea market at Monastiraki and I was so

disappointed to find tacky souvenirs and sneakers for sale.

While hiking on Santorini a few days later I met Aditya 

and he told me I didn't go far enough into the market

and there were tons of antiques to be found.

I was traveling to Istanbul next but had a long overnight

layover in Athens so we hopped on the metro and headed

back into the city for a few hours.  We went to Monastiraki

and went further into the market this time and struck gold.

I could have spent a few days in this area but we only had 

a few hours!

As I was walking down a tiny side street a man

started talking to me, in Greek.  I told him I spoke

English and he exclaimed, "YOU are not Greek?"

"Oh, you must be a Greek-American."  Well, no.

And then I saw his basket of ex votos.  I have seen

these in so many of the churches in Europe along

with watches, rings, crutches and eyeglasses.  Ex

Votos are a votive offering often given in gratitude

or devotion or in fulfillment of a vow.  They are 

placed in a church or chapel where one wants to 

give thanks.  Pilgrimage destinations will often have

a shrine decorated with ex votos.  I bought a boy and

a girl, a house, one for marriage, one for eyes and 

one that says thank you, in Greek.  I had a lovely

time chatting with Achilles but had to get back to 

the airport to catch my flight.

Sad to say, these ex votos have sat on the piano

bench in our living room for four years.   We wanted

to put them in a frame but never got around to it.

The other day I was in a thrift shop in a town not 

far from me and saw a gorgeous frame but didn't

know what I would use it for so I left it.  When I got 

home I passed the ex votos and realized the frame 

would have been perfect for them.  It just so happened 

that Mr. Wonderful was heading up to that same town 

the next day so I sent him on a quest to find the frame.

It was still there!

Now the ex votos have finally found a home!