Miss Kid's market mis-adventures of the Greek Island hopping kind

Posted by Nora K ,
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Strolling along the denizens of tiny, crammed stalls that were literally overflowing with a cornucopia of knickknacks, trinkets of all shapes and sizes jostling for one’s hard-earned Euro, Miss Niece couldn’t help but excitedly exclaim how her shopaholic ol’ Auntie would have been mesmerized by the sight of these shiny silver baubles.  Furiously digging in her crammed backpack, the Kid pulled out a mile long list of items that her Auntie had kindly requested (more like desperately begged) her to transport home, “but only if something beckoned, was a reasonable price and not overly awkward or burdensome to have to schlep around the isles”.   Yeah, right.  Good luck with that one.

Okay then, that most definitely didn’t rule anything out, as small leather goods were easily transportable, intricately woven bracelets could be stacked high on the arm and miniature marble imitation replica key-chains of the Acropolis could easily line the bottom of her sac, virtually weightless and buried deep amongst the layers of assorted curios.  Life-size statues of bronzed Greek Gods, on the other hand, could not only be a tad bit cumbersome (you think?) to lug on the beach, a sure-fire guarantee to pique both the intrigue and fascination of curious passers-by.  Their inquisitive stares and glares would surely elicit a plethora of questions of the not so pleasant kind, ones that Miss Kid would rather not have to willingly answer.  And, pray tell, just what type of pathetically embellished excuse would the customs agents be willing to accept?  Statue, what statue?  Just to appease her cuckoo Auntie’s eccentric hoarding and satchel acquisition issues?

Scavenging for foreign crafted treasures would therefore have to take a back seat to more pressing tasks, such as - scampering on the beachfront and meandering along winding pathways picturesquely nestled between the quaintest of white-washed houses enveloped by an explosion of cascading violet and fuchsia hued blooms, all set against an aquamarine sky.  After all, there were monuments to be photographed, memories and experiences to be forged and footprints to be re-traced.  So what if she had conveniently forgotten (and the key word her is purposefully neglected) to scour the shops and markets in quest of low-budget souvenirs?  Her batty-old Auntie’s Greek-inspired wish list would have to be temporarily put on hold, as foraging for trinkets was most definitely not on Miss Niece’s immediate radar.





And so it was with just a slight tinge of desperation that Miss Kid found herself, on the eve of her last night in Crete, torn between just chillin’ with her friends on the beach or heading to market, as if she were her delusional ol’ Auntie’s personal shopper!  Deliciously soaking up the last vestiges of the late afternoon’s golden rays – until the pinkish hue of twilight magically transformed the heavens into a twinkling blanket of brilliance, Le Niece imagined herself on the cover of a glossy fashion mag, languishing the afternoon away, as only super models could.


Throwing caution to the wind, her windswept locks sashaying every which way, Miss Niece raced along the rocky shoreline to catch up with her pals and party with the best of them, when an unexpected tumble sent her ever so ungracefully plummeting to earth.  Spitting out a mélange of sand and itsy bitsy stones, the Kid was none too pleased – hot pink-manicured tootsies stubbed and bleeding, her meticulously poised and perfected Goddess image irrevocably shattered. 

Tears streaming down her face, cursing those “stupid rocks” for tripping her up, the Kid lamented her luckless fate….those stupid, stupid, inconveniently placed useless rocks….and then it hit her, as if Zeus himself had magically struck her with a bolt of lightening – a flash of brilliance – Eureka!! – Shopping dilemma averted!! – A handful of Grecian pebbles and stones would make quite the unique and meticulously selected souvenir for her wacky ol' Auntie Nora’s coffee table!!

 As for those bronze marble life-size statues, well, there's always Athens!!

One of a kind treasures from the Greek Isles

My fabulous charm bracelet from Le fabulous Miss Niece

Pink Sneakers Tidbits of Fascinating Facts and Interesting Info:

Did you know that the most popular drink in Greece is coffee?  Who knew?

Did you know that tossing an apple to a girl was an ancient marriage proposal tradition?  Careful who you hand that apple to!!

Did you know that the number of Greek islands varies anywhere between 1,600 and 6,000, with roughly 250 of them populated.  Yikes!!  That’s at least an entire year’s worth of ferry / island hopping!

Did you know that Greece has the highest number of International airports?  Pink Sneakers on the Go suspects that it’s got something to do with the number of undetermined islands.

Did you know why the majority of the doors and windowsills are painted a vivid aquamarine turquoise blue shade?  In order to keep the evil spirits away, of course.

Did you know that the number of tourists that visit Greece each year is significantly higher than the country’s entire population?  That’s about 16 million visitors traipsing around on any given day.  Let’s hope you’re not claustrophobic!!

Did you know that not only do tourists flock to Greece but so do the birds!  Almost 100,000 birds from Asia and Europe migrate to this neck of the woods, choosing to spend their winters in this sunny and hospitable climate.

Come tag along with the Kid on her fabulous adventures in Greece and Italy, finally free from the constricting clutches of her eccentric shopaholic vino-indulging designer satchel obsessed ol' Auntie…or so she thinks….

Next week - where to next?  On route to Athens!!  Stay tuned for more of Miss Kid’s Miss-adventures!!



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It's all about Le Kid - Paris, wanderlust and globe-trotting

Posted by Nora K ,
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Pleased as punch at having the glorious opportunity of setting her pink manicured tootsies on foreign land, the only criteria being that it be anywhere on the planet far away from her neck of the woods, the Kid had definitely inherited her travel-a-holic ol’ Auntie’s insatiable thirst for knowledge, possessing a bucket-load of inquisitiveness about the four corners of the earth.  Not content to merely traipse along the well-trodden path of her somewhat wacky relative, Miss Niece was itching to carve out her own around the globe journeys and forge tales that both awed and inspired.  It was therefore with immense glee that le Kid jetted off from la belle province to the Greek isles and the Mediterranean coast on a late summer’s eve, tickled pink that she would be stomping on terra firma – but better yet – territory that her wayfaring Auntie had not yet set foot upon.

Almost there!!

Come sail away to the Greek isles (Photos courtesy Maradzidra)


And so, dear reader, how is this of monumental significance?  Well, read on and stay tuned...

Le Kid’s wanderlust must have stemmed from way back, five years to be exact, when, on a whim (most likely after having had a few oh so soothing liquid libations of the vino tinto kind), I thought it a swell idea to have one of my nieces accompany me on my annual European vacation.  Assuming that my sister would permit me to take along her eldest daughter, she instead surprised and informed me that her youngest, the 12 year-old, would be my travel companion.  Like, seriously?  Do I look like a mom or even a somewhat responsible type of Auntie?  My interests were of the vino indulging kind, languishing the day away in bistros and cafés and sprinting around the cobblestoned rues and avenues in quest of handbag acquisitions.  C’est tout.  Oh, and snagging that National Geographic worthy digital memory of the income generating kind, setting me up for life with an over-flowing bank account of colourful Euros and Canadian dollars and an unlimited supply of kaleidoscopic bank notes.

With the Kid hooting and hollering on the other end of the phone line, delirious with joy that she would finally be embarking on an adventure across the pond, no matter if it was with her somewhat delusional old relative, her lifelong dream (seriously, you’re 12, Kid!) of hanging out with her heroine, Marie-Antoinette, would finally come to fruition.  Visions of gawking at the splendor of the opulence of the Palace of Versailles dancing in her head, sleepless nights spent counting down the hours until finally (!!) face to face with the Mona Lisa and scampering from le Petit Trianon to le Grand Palace, seemed but an eternity away.



The interior of the Palace of Versailles - When can I move in??


Yikes!! What had I foolishly committed to? 

Auntie Nora’s Parisian checklist –

Don’t forget to print out the map of the 24-hour supermarkets selling discounted vino.

Don’t forget to print out the map of the emporiums hawking cheapo bargain basement priced clearance sale liquidation satchels.  No matter that they’re oh, so last season!

Don’t forget to print out the map of bistros offering les plats du jour, which include endless supplies of vino tinto –all for the affordable price of 15 Euros or less.

Don’t forget to print out the map of the cleverly hidden boutiques that are privy only to an exclusive enclave of a few select “insider’s in the know”.

Les boutiques, les boutiques, les boutiques = Le shopping!!

Vino, anyone?  Hello??


The Kid’s Parisian checklist –

Don’t forget to print out the map of the grounds of the Palace of Versailles – especially all of the favourite salons where the long-dead Queen spent the majority of her days.

Don’t forget to print out the map of ALL of the museums and historical places of interest from le 1er arrondissement to le 18ieme arrondissement and thereabouts.

Don’t forget to print out the map of all of the metro stations in Paris - a handy dandy quick reference guide – so that I can quickly make that mad dash away from my annoyingly controlling Auntie, who, luckily for me, won’t step an inch inside le extremely claustrophobic metro.

Don’t forget to print out the map of all of the internet cafés in Paris, as Auntie Nora won’t have an inkling of a clue as to how to connect her laptop to le French internet. 

Don’t let Auntie Nora con me into visiting Disney Land Paris. Who does she think I am, a Kid?  Like, seriously?  I’m so insulted.




Needless to say, Miss 12 year old proved to be an exceptional travel companion, teaching an old dog (you know who!) new tricks – like, how to spend part of the day hanging with the likes of Van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci, leaping back in time to the 18th century and being mesmerized by the posher than posh gilded Palace of Versailles.  Miss Kid didn’t even mind tagging along with me (not like she had a choice, mind you) on my numerous small leather good acquisition missions, not a peep out of her, quiet as a mouse, chomping down on bonbon after bonbon after bonbon…. Bribery sure does work wonders!

And the moral of the story is?

Come traipse along with the Kid and I on our adventures around the globe, all true tales with not a wee bit of exaggeration added.  Really?  Seriously?  Really.

Next week – on to Greece – impressions of the Kid inspired kind.





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The Kid and Auntie Nora (Miss Bored vs Miss Shopaholic) traipsing along the cobblestoned avenues

Posted by Nora K ,
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You know you’ve got some serious issues when you realize that you’re just a wee bit in awe of your 17-year-old niece.  Yes, the Kid will be pleased as punch upon reading her middle-aged Auntie’s hesitantly scribbled words, screeching in joy whilst twirling round and round the looking glass that is the center of her world.  The inner workings of the teenage mind are beyond complex, the myriad of personalities that greet each day are as varied as there are days in the year and the deliberately contrived personas too numbered to count.  So, in a nutshell, it goes without saying that having to traipse halfway across the globe with Miss Kid in tow, therefore becomes a challenge of exponential proportions.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?

Will today be the day that I dejectedly trudge from one tourist sight to another with Miss Annoyingly Bored?  Or will I be pleasantly surprised at having the unbelievably great fortune of scampering along the cobblestoned rues and avenues with the Princess of Sugar Pie Sweetness, only to be rudely pummeled out of my delusionary state by mid afternoon, subjected to the rough edged brashness of a walking, talking encyclopedia of “I’m prettier, smarter and above all, wiser, than you” Know it all Teenager?  Yikes!!  What have I gotten myself into?


Sometimes moody, sometimes charmingly adorable and other times dramatically outspoken, the Kid certainly did not fail to both amuse and irritate, cleverly succeeding in pushing the limits of her middle-aged Auntie’s patience into the stratosphere of no return.

Not content to merely meander along the well-worn pink-sneaker footprints of her mother’s oh so eccentric wacky older sister, the Kid had already become annoyingly frustrated with having to schlep her burdensome luggage through the capitals of Europe and was bored beyond belief, yawning at having to preen and pose yet once again at le tour Eiffel and queue with the rest of them in snaking line-ups at the over-crowded tourist infested top 10 attractions. 




  • Big Ben – Seen it
  • The London Eye – Been there, done that
  • Carnaby Street – Oh, so yesterday!
  • The Louvre – I’ve already posed with the Mona Lisa, and guess who’s the prettiest?
  • The Palace of Versailles – Still searching for the Queen
  • The Colosseum – It’s crumbling and has somewhat of a shady history, like, seriously, didn’t you know?
  • The Leaning Tower of Pisa is leaning, need I say more?
  • And Venice is sinking



Photo courtesy Maradzidra

You get my drift, oh, and speaking or should I say, writing, of drifts, the Kid vowed to never again place a pretty pink manicured tootsie on board any type of ferry, as memories of last summer’s endless ferry crossings from one Greek isle to yet another, were still too raw and nauseatingly fresh, to have to bear.  Sicker than a dog for the duration of the journey, the gentle swaying and rollicking of the vessel too much for her queasy tummy.  Yikes! Guess then that I’ll have to wait until the last minute before springing the news of our upcoming ferry crossing from Dover to Calais – why rock the boat earlier than necessary?  Let’s just hope that the Kid can swim.



Greece photos courtesy of Maradzidra

Tagging along with her cheapo designer obsessed frugal ol’ Auntie, whose sole mission in life is devoted to securing that highly coveted limited edition satchel, leaving no stone (shop, actually) unturned, the Kid vowed (here we go again!) to never ever again pound the pavement for hours on end in quest of that 80% reduced bargain basement priced exclusive treasure.  Just because her lunatic odd relative (the key word here is crazy) is hell-bent on scoring that deal of a lifetime, Le Niece vowed to, in the future, park herself on a bench, guzzle endless gallons of soda pop and languish the afternoon away in contented bliss awaiting her cuckoo Auntie’s return from power shopping and handbag acquisitions. 

Handbag acquisitions of the shopaholic kind

The Kid, therefore, was neither shocked nor surprised upon sight of her bedraggled Auntie miserably limping home after the shops had closed for the night, sporting both a miserable state of mind and unusually bright, bleeding and blistered tootsies.  Ouch.  Close to spitting out the words “I could have told you so”, Miss Perfect Niece instead smirked and quietly snickered, held out her hand and escorted her shopaholic ol’ Auntie to la Pharmacie for bandages and some soothing medication at Le Vino de Jour.

And the moral of the story is?

Who’s the smarter cookie here – the ever so clever Kid or her slightly cuckoo ol’ Auntie? Stay tuned for more adventures of the Kid inspired kind.

Next week – Where to next?? Looks like we’re heading to Greece or thereabouts.





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