Ready or not, here we come

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:

1. Cameras. Video and photo. Hand carry if possible, tripod and handle only if necessary, straps. Mic? yes.

2. Notebook, both. External HDs and USBs + ports. Battery chargers, essential.

3. Travel light. Backpack with waist strap (lest our backs die). Map.

And of course, our healthy and able documentors. (flexing those "muscles")

More videos and articles soon!

The Plan

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 Discovery Travel and Living 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.

Roughly Put:

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 WiserEarth, Create Culture, and Couch Surfing 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.

For The Love of Learning

Curious 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:

"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

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.

"Its education thats meant to take us into this future that we can't grasp" - Sir Ken Robinson from his inspiring TED talk on creativity

Then and Now

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.

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?

"Zeus updating his facebook!" Illustration by Eddie Renner (Click for larger view)

PHOTOS, VIDEOS, STORIES OF GREECE

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

From Patras to Larissa, through Delphi and Athens, 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:

places to see, people to meet, stories to know, music to listen to, movies to watch and.. dishes to try :)