It was our Canada Day long weekend, and I wanted to go somewhere and enjoy the last day of the long weekend. I decided to go to the Greek Festival near my neighborhood like I do every year. I decided to try out my new camera phone and so I had something to show my out of town friends. I noticed this year they fenced off the area this year and proceeded to go in. It seemed less festive then the previous years. I noticed a vendor with some interesting clothes and accessories so I quickly took a bit of video of it. I also shot a bit of the dancing and walked with the camera through the food vendors since I love Greek food so much and love to show my friends who aren't as knowledgeable. I went inside their church and videoed some of their wall and ceiling paintings. There were lots of visitors with cameras that day. As I left the Church there were two security guards that stopped me and asked me what I was taking pictures of? I was pretty surprised to be asked this considering I bring a camera to this event every year. They asked me why I was taking pictures, and I was even more confused considering I take pictures every year. I told them I took pictures of the dance performance, the church, and the food. They told me I couldn't take pictures of the food. Ok this is a silly question but isn't food a huge part of the Greek Festival and Greek Culture??? This blows me away, how a couple of obviously bored security guards decide to go Gestapo on me. Considering everyone else is enjoying the festival with their cameras out (mind you my camera phone is far poorer quality then a regular digital camera), this had to be something to do with them singling me out because I was Asian. Of all the days out of the year the security guard decided to be a complete Dick on the most important weekend of the year which we define who and what we are as a people, and a Nation. Talk about pathetic when a guy who works part time and gets paid half as much as me thinks he is in some kind of position of power and abuses it when he sees someone he can single out and feed his own pathetic little ego. I decided to get a Gyros and leave this "Festival". As I left, the lady vendor gave me the "evil eye", like I had stolen her soul with my camera or something (yeah fuck you too lady).
As far as the Greek Festival itself it sucked big time. Not to badmouth the Greek Community, but this was the worst year ever. I just got the sense that it was a "We're only in it for the money" year. Everyone who worked there seemed unenthusiastic for being there, they made it far less welcoming then previous years, and the only thing that made it somewhat enjoyable were the people visiting and of course the Gestapo security put down that uprising. The food was dry and salty and made me a little ill the next day. Don't get me wrong I love Greek food and their culture and people, but this was not it! If you want something to do, don't bother with the Greek Festival; it's not worth it. The food is expensive, dry, and it will make you sick. The sound system is loud and annoying, and let's not forget the prison camp atmosphere this year. Do yourself a favor and go to your local family run Greek restaurant. The true Greek experience is about family atmosphere and good food.
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Ottawa Greek Festival 2009 Zorba Showby kostaman685,222 views
lol greeks
100010101000101 2 years ago
a re elladara!!! Mporei na einai esxos to festival, alla eisai pantou!!!
diven83 4 years ago