tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56419654603905363812024-03-05T00:19:45.132-08:00Project Greece 2010An Atopic Adventure. (Blog page under construction. Check back for improvements.)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-3810764300008606352010-09-30T14:02:00.000-07:002011-05-18T06:59:39.152-07:00Day 18: Reintroduction to Athens (a good long day)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/day18-owlcoin-1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 800px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 500px;" /><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">We are officially back in Athens, back in action, without any clue how the day would go. Some interesting Athenians agreed to meet up: a pianist who was introduced to us through <a href="http://projectgreece2010.blogspot.com/2010/09/day-13-farm-life-in-peristera.html">Vasilios of Peristera</a>, a political analyst that Fra was really excited to meet, and a journalist from Cafe Babel Greece who was just as eager to share her perspective and to help walk us through the Athens experience.<br />
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Arranging to meet three people from different backgrounds in one day and managing to spend a long enough time for good conversation proved to be a real challenge in a city so wide and dense as Athens. Well, we are happy to report that we did manage, and it was great - and beautiful as most unexpected things are. We even squeezed in a visit to the Acropolis Museum, huge hovering see-through structure that gave off a feeling of traveling through time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/day18-interviews.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 800px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 500px;" /><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/day18-tapas.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 281px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 500px;" /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-13607603348081768332010-09-29T10:04:00.000-07:002014-10-18T15:26:34.876-07:00Day 17: Back to Athens Prelude: The Royal Thai Encounter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After the brief "holiday" in Agios Ioannis, it's now time to head back to Athens. This time for much longer.<br />
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We arrived near Athens, in Drosia, at around nightfall and we were growing more and more hungry by the minute. After some weeks of Greek fare I thought we'd opt for something different, something more spicy and.. well, asian. Finally we found The Royal Thai, a really nice and empty (at the moment we arrived, remembered later that Greeks eat late) restaurant. I was so happy! I haven't had Thai food since the move to Italy and there aren't many asian restaurants there either.</div>
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Surprise of all surprises was that our two courteous attendants were not Thai but Filipino. Maybe not so much of a surprise after I heard them talk, being a Filipina myself it was like an instant recognition. And, as we always do, we started laughing, talking and sharing each other's stories. The husband of one of the waitresses was the chef and after hearing about the Filipina guest, made the serving portions MORE than adequate. A feast of Phad Thai, Thom Yum, spring rolls, and spicy curry graced the table - with free rice dumplings in coconut milk dessert. Truly mind-blowing.</div>
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Another testament to Filipino generosity and hospitality was an invitation to the waitress' birthday party at her house. She was so excited that she even offered to cook any Filipino food I missed. Fra made a special request for Turon, a banana-filled spring roll and traditional snack. We exchanged numbers and set the dates knowing well by now that Athens Part 2 would be much more than we could dare to imagine. Onwards!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-75935110782165536312010-09-28T03:22:00.000-07:002011-05-18T07:00:29.496-07:00Day 16: Agios Ioannis<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/zz42.jpg" /><br />
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Driving to Agios Ioannis felt like a roller-coaster ride in slow motion. It all started after Volos, around sunset, when 25kms worth of curves HAD to be traversed. Steep and twisty, many roads didn't register on the GPS, but that was the least interesting part. Tiny villages with only men (visible), young and old, at the bar, looking at you like some intruder and then, masses and masses of lush green pine and bush straight out of a fairytale.<br />
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Wild. Out of this world. Too dark to record on camera. Dang.<br />
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Upon reaching some sort of peak (after spinning around all those curves), we entered the fog (or perhaps, the clouds?) and then it started to feel like we were entering into the... Twilight Zone.<br />
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We did finally arrive to our destination, happy to have come all the way despite the ride because this place is truly unlike any other tourist destination in Greece. Its the combination of mountain, forest, beach, and sea all together in this small little town, far from the mess of the city with a tiny boulevard lined with tavernas - good food, what else could spell vacation?<br />
<div>For the first time we relax and do nothing.</div><br />
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<img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/zz41.jpg" /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-73112678772742959332010-09-27T08:02:00.000-07:002011-05-18T07:01:00.582-07:00Day 15: Art and Travel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div>The lack of suitable titles has led me to label this post 'Art and Travel'. This led me to think about traveling as an art and art as a means of travel. I'd say that both suit each other well and work together in the best possible way - considering also how in the worst possible circumstances while traveling, creativity always saved us. Danae and Vasilios seem to be the human representation of these two separate subjects yet upon close inspection one can conclude that they do, in fact, resemble each other. The warm sunny morning allowed us to interview them while sitting on the grass beside olive trees.</div><div><br />
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<div>Of course by art, I also mean literally going to art university where Danae is about to complete her degree in painting. We went in to see its insides and explore the spaces devoted to nothing more but creation -or destruction, and beauty, and many other blessed-cursed things. Seriously, walking past these doorways to dreaming really activates the senses and by the time you walk out, your about ready to start the day all over again. Absolutely refreshing.<br />
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</div><div>Of course, we had the pleasure of seeing Danae's paintings. She paints thick and bright, unafraid of color yet keenly aware of the subtleties involved when vivid reality meets vivid sensations. I was very happy to see her work and sad for not taking a picture of her earlier works when we passed by her apartment!</div><div><br />
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These two will be exhibited soon in Athens.</span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-75798085018280988922010-09-26T12:54:00.000-07:002011-05-18T07:01:17.383-07:00Day 14: New Peaks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div>Today was chuck-full of experiences. I'd say new peaks were reached both literally - hiking up a mountain peak, eating some delicious local food, and also emotionally, broke down.</div><div><br />
</div><div>It was good to be in the company of both Vasilios and his girlfriend Danae, who both also experienced some intense non-stop traveling together. In fact, they both made the record of biking from Olympia, origin of the olympic games, all the way to Beijing, China during the 2008 olympic games. More on their journey <a href="http://www.pentacycle.com/">HERE</a>.</div><br />
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<div>I thank them both for their patience and understanding. It was a lucky encounter for us and a perfect time to sort out some challenges we've been having. By nightfall we all hung out by the living room looking through pictures and videos of their great adventure. Its no easy task for sure, but its also a wealth of joy for them seeing all these different places and meeting (and being hosted) by different people. Its truly beautiful to see how after an enormous challenge you come out new, as if reborn with new eyes, new perspectives and a greater love for existence.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Funny how the day came out while in the morning, raw foodist Costas came to pick some almonds in Vasilios' farm. Lucky for him Vasili doesn't like nuts (nutty! hehe) so he can take as much as he likes and use the shells for his small jewelry business. Confused? Ok, Costas creates jewelry out of seeds, shells, nuts, anything from a plant basically and look at how happy guru he looks. :)</div><div><br />
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</div><div><a href="http://worldtourcycle.blogspot.com/">Vasilios Mesitides</a>, our host, turned out to be the first Greek to travel around the world by bike.Literally by bike, which meant 14 months 54000 km through 40 countries on 4 continents. Its the stuff of movies what he did yet he went on about it so casually while cooking us a delicious asian stir-fry (we try to limit our amazement at this point). <br />
<a name='more'></a>We also heard some of his recordings. He sings acapella - what a voice, and together with his girlfriend (yes they sing together, isn't that amazing?) they both create a sound so profound that it could potentially heal the sick. Its holy stuff. and did I mention he is now an organic farmer for over a year now? Its all natural honest-to-goodness direct from the ground produce here. I even had the chance of planting some lettuce and tasting some baby tomatoes direct from the source.<br />
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</div><div>Imperfection is beauty in this farm, no odd-shaped fruit/vegetable is shunned, and if a root or vine prefers to wander outside the "designated" area, it simply wanders away! Wild is loved and celebrated. The intimacy with nature is felt even more here than anywhere else -perhaps it has something to do about touching the ground with your bare hands or knowing that the food you eat is from a living growing plant, nearby.</div><div><br />
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</div><div>Later in the afternoon we meet up with his friend Kay and his girlfriend Danae. We did a little tour in Thessaloniki and proceeded to Block33 where a big arts and music fest was about to begin. A lot of interesting acts performed from music to theater and dance. It was extremely satisfying to witness some creative activity in Greece.</div><div><br />
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Prior to our trip to Greece, we figured that by mid-journey we would take a break in Katerini, a random place picked out of curiosity and the only place where we didn't plan to do anything, see anything, or meet anyone. We didn't expect to be wrong on so many things, like not being stressed or exhausted with all this traveling and meeting people. Even our last stop, Kozani, was more like a vacation than a mission.<br />
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</div><div>Who would have expected Katerini to be the most sleepless, stressful experience we've had during the entire trip? No one. Lets just say that several tourists from the northern neighboring countries spent the whole night driving around the streets with their loud cars, singing/shouting as much as their throats allowed, loitering the gutters with bottles of vodka - rakia or something more flammable. It was only during the early morning that the first signs of peace and quiet entered with the sunrise. Fra gave up with the tossing and turning and went to take a walk by the beach. </div><div><br />
</div><div>We wake up around 9-10am, decide to make some lunch before leaving and then we hear a loud banging against the door. Its the owner, a big mafia-looking man with a blading head and a heavy gold necklace, demanding us to leave before 12 noon. It sounded more like a threat in fact but we thought, hey- lets just get some lunch at least, we didn't get any sleep and we're not even taking any showers, so lets do this one thing and head off.</div><div><br />
</div><div>After completing my first Tzatziki (traditional Greek yogurt cucumber dip) we were about to devour it sometime around 11:30 when the next chorus of banging on the door starts. Its the owner again, now shouting at us to leave. This really ticks Fra off and the first Greek vs Italian cussing match begins. From his "Malaka!" to Fra's "Mavaffanculo!" PLUS arm gestures - I've never seen anything like it. I'm surprised they haven't punched each other yet after everything they exchanged with spit flying at such a speed. Anyway, it was an experience and after the great benevolence of our last host, we probably needed something like this to balance things off.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Now back to square one. <br />
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Through a link shared by his friend on facebook, Michalis found us, commented on the blog, and together we made arrangements for our meeting. First thing upon our arrival, Michalis hands us the keys to his apartment and advices us to "feel at home". For the first time in our lives, a stranger offers us his house and his keys and all there is to be eaten in the fridge, water to wash the shock off our faces, wifi access, and so forth. Could this be the famed Greek Hospitality they all talk about? If so, we made it to the top of the list.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The next day he takes us to a local shop to try their breakfast delicacy: Bughatsa (never know how to spell it), creme filled layers of delicate pastry topped with a dash of cinnamon, that and a glass of milk was next to perfection.</div><div><br />
</div><div>We visit his university and the first thing we see upon entrance are banners, tables with all sorts of posters that looked like club recruitment desks but no, these are political/anti-political parties - university scale. You have the socialist government party, the communist party, the anarchists, the independents, among others. We also discover the great advantage of Greek university students: free tuition, free books, free food (3 meals a day), free dorm (application basis) and with all these benefits you can even take as long as 10 years to complete a course. Thats not a characteristic of a country in crisis, is it? Michalis agrees and hopes it stays that way in the coming years.</div><div><br />
</div><div>After dinner with our host and his girlfriend Artemis, we meet his friend Sokrates, another mechanical engineering student who, with his immense curiosity and proclivity to share, made our evening tour of Kozani a most enjoyable one. and guess what, Kozani is beautiful awesome. With several parks - squeaky clean compared to Athens and with places to run with your dog, a forest to go and have a picnic, an open air wooden theater, lovely rock/brick streets that lead you all the way up for a full perspective of the city that, by the way, isn't covered with soot nor smelling of smoke. It smelled of pine trees actually.</div><div><br />
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<img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/day10/zz26.jpg" /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-9026673034838845892010-09-21T15:01:00.000-07:002010-10-09T15:32:25.614-07:00Day 9: Holy Meteora!"Did you expect it to be like this?", Fra often asks me this question whenever we go to a new place and although my answer is often no, because I hardly expect anything and prefer to be surprised than disappointed, I did have an expectation of Meteora and it wasn't met. Instead, it surpassed everything I could have conceived in my brain and it was so powerful that it hit straight through me and made my soul grow. Grow and grow and grow! Wait a minute, I have a soul? Its a miracle.<br /><div><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day9/zz22.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day9/zz23.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day9/zz24.jpg" /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-85950401387441749612010-09-20T14:17:00.000-07:002010-10-09T15:32:46.664-07:00Day 8: Lamia and ThermopylesTwo different places in one day.<div><br /><div><b>Lamia</b> - progressive city, small streets, big appetite, home of Nikos Tsonis, politician of the socialist party who agreed to be interviewed and offered to host us for a night. After taking us for a walk around town and shaking the hands of almost anyone in the streets, we learned quickly the importance of community, or at least connections, in any system of power.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Thermopyles</b> - with its receeding shoreline that vaguely reminded us of Sumeria and Mesopotamia, grand cities of antiquity now transformed into the desert land of Iraq, we began to ponder how it would be in several decades to a century. Back in 480BC in this same spot <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDiUG52ZyHQ">300</a> men from Sparta fought with thousands (nay, a million! -according to the little history plaque on site) of Persians. Now, there are olives covering the hills among ruins of an acropolis that probably fell after centuries of erosion, earth quakes or just the decaying effect of time and forgetfulness. We went all the way to the top and marveled at the unusual land and water formations unique to Greece. Its still absolutely stunning.<br /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day8/zz18.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day8/zz19.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day8/zz21.jpg" /></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-68905378051490064772010-09-19T14:32:00.000-07:002010-10-06T15:35:49.839-07:00Day 7: Off the sea and back on the road again4 days in Kythnos turned out to be much more than we expected. After the initial shock (met with a slight feeling of doom that can only be compared to being at the mercy of gods), we went in and flowed with the flow anyway. Foreigners don't often ponder their ignorance which, in our case, was exactly the case. However, this seemed to work out extra well as we went from adventure to surprise each and every single day. The landscape and its bare furnishings was clearly not the end of the story. All the people we met, the places we walked and swam to with its little nooks and corners, witnessing the light bounce off our cheeks and on the hills, changing colors and smelling different smells, tasting different tastes - just so many things have touched us, shaken us from not abiding to the law of "Do not Judge a book by its cover".<div><br /></div><div><div>Experience like this makes you happy about being wrong sometimes. It makes surprises all the more surprising.</div><div><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day6/z18.jpg" /></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-67038076371981869022010-09-18T13:05:00.000-07:002010-10-06T14:29:22.393-07:00Day 6: Fishing for Treasure2 things happened today:<div>1.) Fishing with a fisherman.</div><div>2.) Swimming over an archeological site. </div><div><br /></div><div>For now, I'll have pictures explain what words cannot.</div><div><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day6/zz13.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day6/zz14.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day6/zz15.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day6/zz16.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day6/zz17.jpg" /><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-80191432327061140582010-09-17T00:01:00.000-07:002010-10-06T14:36:12.416-07:00Day 5: First Encounters<div>Day two in Kythnos, still no sign of the Professor despite the proximity (the owner of the room informed us that we were staying right beside his room), we decide to take a walk around the port. We meet Marios, a marine biologist assigned in Kythnos, who shares with us some of his experience with the local fishermen. There beside the fish and the old women sitting and waiting for the next fresh catch, we hope to learn some more about this difficult job. After an hour with the locals sitting, smoking, sipping on cups of coffee, Mario finally explains that they are camera-shy and only "the most beautiful" president of the fishermen's association of Kythnos could agree to do an interview. After a few exchanges in english-hellenic, Marios as our middle-man, they agreed to meet us again the following day, early in the morning to experience the first catch.</div><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day5/z12.jpg" /><br /><div><br /></div><div>Sometime around 6pm in the afternoon at a cafe near the port, we finally meet the Professor. After a brief exchage of introductions we head off to Chora, a nearby town, where the makeshift office/workshop is the old municipal hall, soon to be transformed into the first museum of island. I get to experience first-hand the work of an archeologist - brushing debris off an ancient piece of pottery! It was thrilling and it was even more interesting to be hearing stories of the challenges involved in archeological work. After hearing from the Professor himself, we grew to appreciate this profession as something beyond Indiana Jones or The Mummy, archeology is also hard and determined work. Despite that, the only grafitti on the workshop wall says, "I love my school". and I think that says it all.</div><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day5/zz12.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-5799683566399846872010-09-16T23:09:00.000-07:002010-10-17T03:07:43.320-07:00Day 4: The Elusive Professor MazarakisIt wasn't easy leaving Athens. One day without seeing the ancient ruins is like passing by Egypt without seeing the pyramids. Shame, shame.. But a certain Professor Mazarakis awaits us in Kythnos, an island we know nothing of, and this is enough for us to cross the sea and brave the unknown.<div><br /></div><div>On board the ship we gather our materials, read some more of our printed bio on the Professor and his archeological work in Kythnos. Hes a well travelled man and has established himself in the field of archeology as an authority of the Greek archaic (ancient) period, sometime around or before written history. Hes held several talks in some of the biggest universities and is responsible for the biggest archeological discovery in Kythnos together with other Greek archeologists.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the moment of arrival, looking out to see the island, we are met with shock. Hills and hills of rolling brown devoid of green and trees, and a cluster of white houses by the port was all there was and this made Fra shiver at the thought of not coming back mainland. This was our first taste of the dry Cycladic island terrain and who could prepare for such a sight after looking through too many pictures of luxury white hotels overlooking the sea. Clearly these were pictures of major touristic destinations like Mykonos or Santorini. This is Kythnos, a much simpler island with less than 1,500 inhabitants. Commercial tourism hasn't infected it at least and the thought of spending a couple of days in this strange land gave us a rush of energy.</div><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day4/zz6.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-32964361485354933432010-09-15T04:47:00.000-07:002010-09-28T06:30:31.135-07:00Day 3: Meeting Athens<img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day3/zz1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div>First thing in the morning, still in Delphi, enjoying the view, rushing for the last minutes of breakfast, we head off to the Temple of Athena, the guardian pre-empting every foreigner for the great Temple of Apollo and its many pilgrims who come to visit the Oracle.</div><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day3/zz2.jpg" /><br />For a moment I think about Athena, the virgin goddess, the woman fit enough to be a man. She embodies both female: wise, protective, and male: shrewd, mighty. She's the only god born not from the womb but straight out of the head of Zeus, her father the king. What a woman and what a difference with the character of Gaea, previous goddess of worship, vulnerable mother. Did the worship of Apollo and Athena (and the rest of the Olympians) mark societies' transition to the patriarchy? After all, the most famous Greek personalities have almost always been men or manly (in some cases, male-lovin' men). Greece is credited for the birth of western civilization with democracy, polis, and philosophy as some of its greatest contributions. Many conquests have expanded its borders and during its height reached the far end of the east towards Afghanistan and on the west heavily influencing the Romans, who copied many beliefs and ideals.<br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day3/zz3.jpg" /><br />They say that the Mythology of a society also reflects its people. Perhaps amidst all the drama, as written by our ancient poets and sung by the old bards of the rise and fall of gods and goddesses, so did the lives of the ancient people animate and evolve. Could there be any link between ancient mythology and present-day telenovelas or TV soap operas? or at least, is there any wonder why, until today, masses of people from all over the world are entertained by these shows? Such a topic requires more time and perspective. Would love to hear what others think.<br /><br />Finally on the edge of Athens. First thought, how in the world can anyone find their way here without GPS?<br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day3/zz4.jpg" /><br />We go off towards the ancient city to meet Myrto, a documentary film-maker currently working on her latest project, Life in a City Full of Errors. Soon she will also be releasing her documentary called Crisis, a personal account on life in Athens amidst these recent problems. She spent some years in Barcelona and London for her work and studies until she decided to go back home to do something creatively, to help improve the current situation. Recently, BBC world featured her documentary. Shes also looking forward to submitting it to several festivals.<br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day3/zz5.jpg"><br />We meet her two friends, Yannis and a chef Cavalier member, who both have very interesting perspectives on the crisis and on broader world issues. Dinner was a mix of many different delicacies -all of them absolutely more delicious than the other. and of course, together with several shots of Rakia, a liquor similar to Grappa, our walk uphill was a light one.<br /><br />We both had the pleasure of seeing part of Myrto's documentary. I liked it a lot and loved the personal perspective she shamelessly exposes through her shots, recorded conversations with people and experience on the streets. After hearing some of her own thoughts on her work, she confirmed to us the same message we felt at the end of watching Crisis - its still up to us. Our part may be small but many small great things is still much better than a mob of cynics.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-22057424499737265532010-09-14T04:10:00.000-07:002010-09-28T12:28:40.229-07:00Day 2: The Oracle of Delphi<img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day2/zz9.jpg" /><br />First day in Delphi, first taste of ancient Greece. Walking from the little town towards the ruins features a most excellent perspective of the land from high up the mountains. It was nothing like what I expected it to be, but thats normal I guess, it was much much more. The ancient ruins sit facing a grand valley almost covered entirely with olive trees, which while passing by them on our way up, looked quite ancient as well.<br /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day2/zz7.jpg" /><div><br /><div>We saw The Charioteer, the most acclaimed piece of sculpture according to the guide who spoke in such a slow yet loud manner, enunciating in such a way that reminded you of Discovery Channel documentaries. I think The Charioteer has really nice eyelashes, yes - he has eyelashes made of bronze and inlaid eyes that pierced through you.</div><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day2/zz8.jpg" /><div><br /></div><div>My biggest curiosity in Delphi was the Oracle and unfortunately there weren't many answers for me on site. The locals knew few or just the very basics of its history, perhaps it was too hocus-pokus to retain in their memory. I did some research anyway and discovered that Apollo, the main god-boss of this region, defeated the serpent Python, a son of Gaea (earth mother goddess, the first object of worship before Apollo) who was said to rule over the land and by doing so, buried its remains under the ground. A crack in the mountain, where the dead Python lay, released some hallucinogenic fumes that made the Oracle speak.</div><div><br /></div><div>Interestingly the symbol of the Python or snake used to be linked to wisdom. Take the ouroboros symbol of the snake eating its own tail, for example, and how it symbolized the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth - constant renewal. In fact, the Caduceus, or the symbol for medicine and commerce reveals the serpent as well. Whats curious is how these symbols have evolved over history as Christianity began and replaced pagan beliefs and changed the meanings of symbols like the serpent into the devil. Being raised Catholic, I often notice pictures of the Virgin Mary stepping on the snake, the famous one who tricked Eve into biting into the forbidden apple of truth.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the ancient ruins near the temple of Apollo is also the omphalos, or the navel of earth. The word Delphi also comes from two distinct greek words meaning "hollow" and "womb". Apollo himself was also known as Delphinio, or the Delphinian, "One from the Womb". Already a link is established between the former worship to Gaea, the mother goddess, the womb to which all life is born.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is so much more to be explored as more and more links are established the more we discover and learn. Stay tuned.</div></div><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day2/zz10.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-60333969120773803692010-09-13T03:54:00.000-07:002010-09-28T23:14:03.710-07:00Day 1: Arrival to Patras24 hours of ferry is taking its tall on our necks. Slept maybe 2-3 hours, maybe just excited, had a tea and witnessed the first stop to Higoumenitsa around 6:30am, just in time for the sunrise.<br /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/a3-3.jpg" /><br /><div><br /></div><div>Off we go from the boat to the road. The first signs in foreign alphabet made it clear that this is somewhere else indeed. Narrow busy streets, pedestrians walking, talking, and people on motorbikes without helmets zooming past. Feels like home.</div><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/a5-1.jpg" /><br /><div><br /></div><div>After this brief introduction we enter the tollgate for this humongous bridge, completely unprepared for the price of €12.20. "What if you had to pick something up from the other side and you had to come back?", Fra wonders out loud. Its a sure sign of times-a-changin'.</div><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/a4-2.jpg" /><br /><div><br /></div><div>Its probably safe to assume that driving from Patras to Delphi exposed the various landscapes and nature of Greece. Its amazing how immensely diverse it is. Some parts are completely bare and rocky and other parts are completely lush with pine trees all huddled together in a forrest-y mass.</div><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Day1/zz11.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-64668541560220123842010-09-12T13:15:00.000-07:002010-09-17T05:04:10.628-07:00Day 0: Ankon to Patras<a href="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/13g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/13g.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/13e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/13e.jpg" /></a><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/13f.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/13a.jpg" /><br /><div class="p2"><br /></div><div class="p1">Today we left from the port of Ancona, Italy, to Patras, Greece. First stop in Higoumenitsa, at the very north bordering with Albania, where our friends Laurentiu and Iuliana get off for some well-deserved vacation. It's a Balcanic scenery awaiting us: narrow streets and mountains of rock, the bay embracing entire towns like a lake. It's a sunny day, at least we made it half way with no problem. 24 hours of ferry takes us finally to the port of Patras where we set off for Delphi. The weather gets gloomy, it reminds a bit of Ancona ('ankon' in greek means 'elbow'), ancient Doric town that happens to be my hometown. The only Greek place in a region made of the Piceni, the local, short and loyal people that inhabited Marche. Ancona was founded a bit after Plato's stay in Syracuse, first as guest, then as a slave. Some people back then left their wealthy city to go explore more to the north. They were Greeks, just as the people we met today. We cannot say the same thing about italians, such a young people compared to its ancestors: roman, etrurian, celt or any people living in Italy when this was not even a nation. </div><div class="p1">The Greeks instead feel strongly about their national identity, the language did change, but the name stayed the same: Greeks.</div><div class="p1">We're finally on land and the limit already shows itself: if you don't know the islands, you don't know Greece. And that takes a lifetime, from Cyprus to Corfù, through Ithaca and Samotrakia, it would take a real Ulysses to claim rights over Greece. </div>Francesco Contehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08698238344033382005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-9614294628591800722010-09-08T15:30:00.000-07:002010-09-08T17:03:40.571-07:00Step 1 - Shoot<img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Zeus.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Sibilla.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Ulysses.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Heracles.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Nympha.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Prometheus.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Heraclitus.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/set1.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Athena.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Sirena.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Socrates.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/Archimedes.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/set2.jpg" /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Photography by Roberto Bomfigli</span></span><br /><div><br /></div><div>This has to be one of the most interesting shoots I've been in. Just thinking about the various backgrounds of each individual, who, by the way, aren't professional actors at all, made it quite atopic. It was fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>What:</div><div>So last week we did a shoot with some friends and members of Atopos portraying significant Greek figures. Using a bright green bedsheet as green screen, and also thanks to Roberto for lending his studio and lights to complete the set - VOILA, a workable production house IN the HOUSE. such a relief, big smiles all around as everyone took turns putting on their togas.</div><div><br /></div><div>How:</div><div>We scheduled a date. Made arrangements. Used some random white fabric, ribbons and canvass as togas and door handles for brooches. Chose which characters to portray, contemplated on it. Came together and birthed the baby!</div><div><br /></div><div>As Heraclitus says, "Panta Rei"/<i>"Everything Flows"</i>, so do we.</div><div>Now on to Step 2.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-28404578991840582852010-09-08T15:02:00.000-07:002010-10-17T14:32:14.051-07:00GREECE, SEPTEMBER 2010<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">after </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcWZ6UJjPi8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hitchhiking experience Atopos in the Balkans</span></a><br />
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<b><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12/09/10</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ancona - Patras</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, superfast ferry, special discount </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">prize: remember to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.superfast.com/site/splash.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">check dates before summer</span></a></span></li>
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</span> </div></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 13/09/10 </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Delphi</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, the oracle - town of Apollo, the first appearance of 'atopos', the unpredictable</span></li>
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</span> </div></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16/09/10</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kythnos</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, archeological expedition with professor </span><a href="http://www.ha.uth.gr/en/teachers.cv.asp?teacher=26"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ALEXANDER MAZARAKIS</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">,thanks to google translate you can read about the civilization of Kythnos </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://extras.ha.uth.gr/kythnos/display.php?lang=el&page=index">HERE</a></span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the rest-- we'll see!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><br />
</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">if you want to learn some greek in the meantime </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">check </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eab6_K9uWRc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THE TRAVEL LINGUIST</span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</div></div>Francesco Contehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08698238344033382005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-70739574899396337172010-09-05T04:47:00.000-07:002010-09-05T05:07:08.087-07:00Ready or not, here we come<div style="text-align: left;">One week more before we leave for Patras and already the gods are calling, "Yoohooo, better pack those bags, charge those batteries and get ready." Theres a load of prep to do. First things first, equipment:</div><div><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/e1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 164px;" border="0" alt="" /></div><div>1. Cameras. Video and photo. Hand carry if possible, tripod and handle only if necessary, straps. Mic? yes.</div><div><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/e2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 217px;" border="0" alt="" /></div><div>2. Notebook, both. External HDs and USBs + ports. Battery chargers, essential.</div><div><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/e3.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 389px;" border="0" alt="" /></div><div>3. Travel light. Backpack with waist strap (lest our backs die). Map.</div><div><br /></div><div>And of course, our healthy and able documentors. (flexing those "muscles")</div><div>More videos and articles soon!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-42827585081683416882010-08-20T01:59:00.001-07:002010-09-05T06:08:49.610-07:00The Plan<object style="background-image:url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/bPc3gBTKQtM/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bPc3gBTKQtM?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bPc3gBTKQtM?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Seriously, anyone who embarks on a journey without a clear direction other than the vague particulars of a single country is bound to encounter some problems especially when a significant amount of substance is the expected outcome. We are going to Greece for a month this coming September with full trust and surrender to the possibility of spontaneous creative collaboration. This is not <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzBmYeLjcSs">Discovery Travel and Living</a> where travel-show hosts have fixed itineraries, fans, and exlcusive 5-star accomodation to the hotel sponsor of choice. Not even a camera-man conveniently following our every move or catching that sweet look on your face while biting into a delicious piece of -who knows? Its all raw, on the spot, and dangerously exciting. Think Alexander the Great + Into The Wild. Ok, not really. But close. So here are some clips/notes and guidelines, our way of putting some order in chaos.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><b>Roughly Put:</b></div><div>So maybe we're extremely low-budget and take comfort in the fact that we do have a return ticket, and basically thats where online communities like <a href="http://www.wiserearth.org/">WiserEarth</a>, <a href="http://www.createculture.org/">Create Culture</a>, and <a href="http://www.couchsurfing.org/">Couch Surfing</a> play a role in the grand scheme of things. Social networks are exciting and they pose great possibilities PLUS there's blogs and videos and all kinds of media you can use to communicate and educate. Its really crazy when you think of it. People using this new media have moved people and ideas in so many ways, often changing trends and mind-sets. Its powerful. In this case, however, we are specifically interested in experiencing the transition from online correspondence to actual real-time face to face interaction. We ask questions like, is it possible to form real friendships and work on real projects through these new platforms? Will we be able to inspire more interest in art, history, and culture through sharing the outcome of this collaborative experience? Will it also inspire trust and openness with people from other cultures? We shall see.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>For The Love of Learning</b></div><div><a href="http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/4-reasons-why-curiosity-is-important-and-how-to-develop-it.html">Curious</a> people always ask questions. We believe that only the inquisitive, who are also the most wondrous and imaginative, can truly make significant change in the world. Nobody gets to be a genius without an interest in knowledge, in exploring the unchartered, the unknown. I quote: <blockquote>"It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power." - Alan Cohen</blockquote> Consider this and consider the ancient Greeks who have birthed philosophy, academy, democracy, olympics, literature, drama, major scientific and mathematical structures, among many other things. Now that is serious "pursuit for knowledge". For us today, looking back through history can provide a refreshing perspective to human potential. Also, theres nothing more enjoyable than being able to share a passion and have somebody else feel inspired to learn even more.</div><div><blockquote>"Its education thats meant to take us into this future that we can't grasp" - Sir Ken Robinson from his inspiring <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/66">TED talk on creativity</a></blockquote></div><div><br /></div></div><div><b>Then and Now</b></div><div>We know for a fact that we aren't the experts on Greece and neither are we graduates of history or professors in any field. Nevertheless, we are happy to be digging into the old history books as well as getting informed on the latest news. While we have established our clear interest in ancient Greece, we are also interested in understanding how Greece is today, its struggles, the people and how they are facing up to the new challenges. What we will be creating in the end will be part reportage and part historical flashback. We both hope to find the strings connecting both past and present and whatever may be that will emerge from this relationship would be a bonus to the adventure already taking place at this very moment.</div><div><br /></div><div>On that note, we continue to invite others -you- who share our interest and ask for them to contribute their own curiosities and gleanings on ancient and/or contemporary Greece. Consider this as a chance to converse and explore topics that might not have been given a voice in our own individual classrooms or circles. If its true that learning is a life-long activity, why waste a great opportunity to have as much fun while were at it?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left; "><a href="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/ZeusFB.jpg"><img src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/neofly101/ZeusFB-1-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">"Zeus updating his facebook!" Illustration by </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eddie-Renner/130419340321304"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Eddie Renner</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> (Click for larger view)</span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01118780067414126495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5641965460390536381.post-15708159993314171412010-07-24T07:39:00.000-07:002010-09-08T15:26:13.030-07:00PHOTOS, VIDEOS, STORIES OF GREECE<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It's a 4000 year old civilization, casting its influences from Egypt to Afghanistan, through Libya, Italy and other lands the greeks themselves contributed to explore. Greece is a must for all of you who want to know about history and tradition, yet not many people know enough about what Greece is today.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Often in a troublesome position due to harsh relationships with countries such as Macedonia (which greeks refer to as 'Fyrom') and Turkey (inconvenient neighbour in Cyprus), Greece has always been a frontline between Asia and Europe. The interests of the British, German, Russian, American élite have made Greece what it is today, after long struggles within the Ottoman empire.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Its religion and traditions make Greece a very peculiar country in the European Union (which they joined in 1981) and a stronghold of ancient values and ideas. Theatre, music, poetry, philosophy are just some of the achievements of the greek people, which later became an important minority in countries such as Libya, Armenia, Georgia, Italy, but also the Usa and Australia.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzZ-b-vGRYUue1zZCkJaTjJWF_2PNCZv7HR9YriGXHkCDCAMklIaJtkunjmzXQXRoeR9XvISVd7PPy1KMhpEAKRY9YY5WOAIUtJHPHedIczBEdwUcBOFczXfudV40tsfMpzREOfn0cVzn/s1600/1600_x_1200_ancient_greece_map_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzZ-b-vGRYUue1zZCkJaTjJWF_2PNCZv7HR9YriGXHkCDCAMklIaJtkunjmzXQXRoeR9XvISVd7PPy1KMhpEAKRY9YY5WOAIUtJHPHedIczBEdwUcBOFczXfudV40tsfMpzREOfn0cVzn/s400/1600_x_1200_ancient_greece_map_001.jpg" width="400" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Despite its rather small population (about 11 millions), Greece is today under worldwide attention for its difficult economic situation. On the edge of bankruptcy, Athens decided to cut off public spending (except for military purposes..) and now hard times are hitting Hellas. Some of its thousand islands are currently on sale, and mass rallies keep filling the squares with protests and social discontent.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Putting at stake Greek progress and culture means giving up on fundamental themes such as 'hospitality' and 'conviviality'. Let us help the greeks overcome this difficult situation through tourism, support and genuine interest in this wonderful land.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">From </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Patras</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> to </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Larissa</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">, through </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Delphi</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> and </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Athens</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">, we will be visiting the people who seek to give out a new idea of Greece, in order to open to the world and have a better cohabitation with neighbour countries and people. This is why we invite all of you, who have an interest in greek matters and outlooks, to give us suggestions on: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=125697620810959&ref=ts">places to see, people to meet, stories to know, music to listen to, movies to watch and.. dishes to try :)</a></span></span></i></div>Francesco Contehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08698238344033382005noreply@blogger.com3