Food & Clothing:

Eating and drinking is a way of life in Greece. With 20 percent of Greece made up of islands, and no part of the Greek mainland more than 90 miles from the sea, fish and seafood are a popular and common part of the Greek diet. Lamb and goat (kid) are the traditional meats of holidays and festivals, and poultry, beef, and pork are also in plentiful supply. Souvlaki (say: soov-LAH-kee) - skewered kebabs - is one of those foods that have become synonymous with Greece, and are as popular with Greeks as they are with non-Greeks. Souvlaki is a favorite street food on the skewer or in pita wraps, and a family favorite at home, cooked on the grill. There are countless varieties of olives, and Greek olive oil is world renown. The busiest shop in any Greek village is the local bakery. Bread was at one time the staple food of Greece and is still eaten at every meal, large hunks dipped in remaining sauce and olive oil, or coated with tsatziki (garlic-cucumber-yogurt dip), tarama salata (fish roe salad) or melitzana salata (eggplant salad).

Vineyards cover much of Greece's hilly terrain and the country has become known for its array of fine wines and spirits, most notably ouzo, an anise-flavored liqueur that is the national spirit.

Clothing on Crete, and the other Greek islands, tends to be casual. During the summer, shorts and sandals are suitable attire when you are not teaching. In cities, such as Athens, clothing is dressier, and locals rarely wear shorts even in the summer heat. You should have respect for Greek customs: for example, if you enter a church make sure your shoulders are covered. During the winter it can get a little cold at night and a coat or jersey of some sort is recommended. For working as an English teacher in Greece, smart casual clothes are normally expected.