The first time I had olives was in Athens in 1982. It was a plate full of 30 or something black olives. The person who offered them to me was Greek and he told me that they were really good. I had to finish the plate otherwise I would have offended him. Somehow I managed the feat. And was the illest I have ever been in all my life. I vomitted all night long but it didn't help. There was something like a stone in my stomach which was impossible to get rid of. Body fluids in greenish colours were ejected from my mouth but the stone remained inside. After that I was allergic to black olives for a while. Ten years, 15 years? Just the thought of eating them was revolting.

Nowadays I can eat black olives. But I like to mix them with green ones. The black olives on their own still feel heavy but together with the more acid green specimen and lots of garlic I can digest them. I love olives now. Hate-love which has turned into love. It's the blend that makes it all.