Today was a national holiday in Greece called "Οχι Day" (said Oh-hee with a rough 'H' in the back of your throat.) Literally translated, Οχι means No. Greeks are a little strange, let me explain.
Today marks the beginning of Greece's involvement in WWII. The legend goes that early in the morning on October 28 (I forget what year), the Italian ambassador gave an ultimatum to the dictator in Greece. Either let Italy occupy Greece, or face war. The Greek dictator responded with a simple, "Οχι." When Italians invaded that same day from Albania, they were slowly driven back by the Greeks. The Greeks haven't won many wars, so this is an occasion to celebrate! Of course, the Nazis soon invaded and quickly defeated Greece, leading to a long, devastating occupation which later led to a even worse civil war. Needless to say, the Greeks do not celebrate the end of WWII.
Anyway, everything was closed today with the exception of the OK Market (a mini-supermarket in the plateia) and all the tavernas and restaurants. We also had been told by our teachers that there was a military parade in Syntagma Square. So, the few of us that were here decided to head over and watch it! After waiting around for two hours, a mass of black, important looking cars started to drop people off in front of the Parliament. Eventually, the Patriarch or Arch-Bishop of Greece came out as well as the Prime Minister. They stood around, talking to each other forever, then listened to the national anthem, gave their respects to the dead, etc. It took forever, and a lady fainted from the heat in front of me during this time. Then a marching band came, played, and my disappointment began. There were only school children in the parade. Lots and lots of kids ranging from elementary to high school. No tanks, no army, no jets, no cannons. After an hour of school children, the parade was over and everyone left. It was horrible.
Anyway, we had school off ever since last Thursday. Everyone went traveling to different places such as Italy, Sweden, Crete and Egypt, but I stayed since I am already traveling later next month. Oh, and by the way, I am going to Barcelona and Rome, not Berlin. Tickets were cheaper and someone wanted to come with me. Anyway, my weekend was very relaxing and boring at the same time. My roommate, Aleata, was still here, so we hung out once in awhile. But mainly, I was on my own, wandering the city or sleeping in very late. I started to work out I was so bored! There is a track above the Olympic Stadium that is open to everyone, so yesterday I ran a mile and then did basic push-ups, sit-ups, etc. I have never done so many before though. Anyway, thats not important.
This week, I only have one day of classes again. But tomorrow I am going to volunteer at the dog shelter again. I went last week, and it was smelly and nasty. But I enjoyed walking the dogs even though I got poop on me and got bit by a crazy pit bull. Oliver and Carmela were both very good pit bulls, but I forgot how strong they are even when they are well-intentioned. Anyway, next Sunday I will be volunteering at a football game for the Olympikos. Greeks take their football VERY seriously, just as much as the British do. And then next Tuesday I am volunteering for the US Embassy at the party they are holding at the Hilton. I get in for cheap plus I get to meet important people! I feel good about the chances I have been getting to volunteer. It integrates me into this society a little better than the normal tourist. The NGO for Refugees hasn't been working out. They are incredibly disorganized plus the children I would be playing with don't even know Greek let alone English. But I still hope it works out. It would be a lot of fun.
I heard it started to flurry back home! I wish I could have been there. I miss everyone and everything so much! But, I know it isn't going anywhere, so I will enjoy my time here! Hope everyone is doing well! Γεια σας!
This is probably the most explicit statement against Americans I have seen so far, but more exist. Actually graffiti is a huge thing. It is everywhere! It is kind of strange to see how people don't care about it. Some of it is really good too! Anyway, this gives another perspective about some Greek's view of the US.
So here it comes. A political post. But I have my reasons. Last night, we had a former US diplomat visit and talk to us about certain things within our very recent history and why this election is so incredibly crucial. Apart from that he also talked about his duties, how he became a diplomat and other interesting stories. Makes me think if I would want to enter the State Department.
Anyway, the diplomat, I forget his name now, was an incredibly intelligent man who was slightly quirky and nerdy. But he said some very important things, and gave me a plethora of information and a new perspective I didn't have. Foreign relations sometimes mean nothing until you leave the country. Then you get to understand how the world, or at least the region you are at, reacts to the US.
In his view, both the first Bush and Clinton were excellent presidents. Regan blew the budget out of control and racked up a national debt like none other. Slightly odd by Republican standards, since their party creed deals with fiscal responsibility. This trend that was also emulated by the younger Bush to a worse effect. However, the first Bush managed to balance the budget incredibly well, and managed to control the debt. However, this meant higher taxes, a policy that will kill any Republican. Clinton oversaw an incredible growth in the economy and also managed to reduce the debt. Clinton also was an incredible people person, something that improved foreign relations tenfold. In one story, an Armenian diplomat was allowed a visit to the US to meet with President Clinton, the first time ever perhaps. It was such a glorious day for the Armenians, and when the Presidents sat down to talk, the history of the Armenian people began to flow. Clinton kindly listened and engaged him in a conversation. This simple act of a nation expressing itself to a "super power," a privilege that was never before given to Armenia, was exalting. The nation felt as if it were being heard, understood and protected, and the US gained an ally, however useless. If the younger Bush were president at the time, they would never have been given the time of day. Today, Aremenia still loves us, one of the few nations that does.
Our current President has little use of diplomacy. In fact, he seemingly turned over control of foreign relations to the Pentagon. The army only knows how to conduct war. Its not their fault, but they should not be in control of relations. One good thing President Bush did is the invasion of Afghanistan - and I say that in terms of immediately after the World Trade attacks. Now the situation is different. Following 9/11 we did shut down numerous terrorist cells operating in that nation. You can't have a war on terrorism. Wars on ideas are doomed to fail. But war on terrorists and their strongholds is an effective strategy. But why go to Iraq? If Saddam had weapons of mass destruction, he would never give them to Wahabi terrorists such as Bin Laden. The two hate each other! Anyway, I am getting off topic.
The point is, foreign relations now are the lowest they have been in a long time. Bush cared very little about other nations, did not have the tact required of a world leader, and did not go through the proper channels such as the UN, like his father and Clinton did. With the first Gulf War and the military action in Yugoslavia, the UN was involved and because of that, the world was behind us. It was not the case in the current war.
Who really knows how McCain or Obama will be with foreign relations. McCain is a good man, so he may improve our relations. But I do know Sarah Palin is not nearly qualified to be Vice President and reminds me a lot of Bush Jr. And I also know that Biden is a perfect candidate on foreign relations since he is the chairman of the committee and has personal friendships with leaders around the world.
I am not qualified to talk about politics very much. I don't know everything. But I know what I see, and I see that Greece, which is an incredibly conservative nation for Europe, hates Bush and the current administration. All over Athens and in the conservative rural areas Bush is synonymous with the devil. You see it in graffiti, posters or even talking to people. Simply put, Bush drove our foreign relations to the ground. Now Obama? Everyone wants Obama to win, even the old ladies! I have been asked by Greeks, British, Irish, Danish and others about the elections, and everyone loves that I support Obama. They think we are a backwards country since we elected Bush for a second term. Maria, one of our student services workers, found it amazing to have intelligent students from America who were free thinking. It was her first year at Arcadia, so she had little exposure to Americans prior. She was amazed that I had even read "Persepolis." Their misconceptions about us as a nation stem from the lack of foreign relations the last eight years.
The world is behind Obama, except parts of America. The world will also be closely watching on election night. Who knows what will happen or how the world will respond. I personally will be volunteering for the Embassy on election night for the party they will be throwing at the Hilton. I will rub elbows with the American ambassador for Greece and other important and intelligent people. Its a chance of a lifetime! I hope everyone votes and we will see what happens! But if McCain loses, I have a feeling an American may not be a welcome sight in Athens for awhile.
P.S. - I saw the "Obama is an arab video." Some people in the US are beyond ignorant - they are crazy!
So, I have settled on this look for my blog. Not only is that my photo, but I am going to try and change it about every week to highlight my best photos. I added links to my blog as well! The pictures link will now bring you to my Flickr page with all my photos, so check back there often! And the video link will take you to my YouTube page, but I will also load the videos onto the blog as well. I have my email and my cell phone number, if anyone would like to call me. But remember, I am eight hours ahead. I don't like receiving phone calls in the dead morning. If you are calling from a house phone, you need to dial 011 instead of +30, and with cells phones you need the plus sign. It's a little strange.
I am continuing to attempt to load photos, though its a slow and painful process. Keep checking my Flickr for updates.
Alright, I have finally finished uploading my picture from my weekend in Olympia and the Peloponnese on Flickr! I wanted to share the mosaics that Flickr randomly made for me, but I don't think I can, and if I put up a slideshow, it would take forever! So here is the address -
For the Peloponnese http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelwood/sets/72157608042065880/
For Olympia - http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelwood/sets/72157608042024294/
I will upload all my photos on here as well as post slideshows from now of my adventures!
So, first off, I didn't go bungee jumping. I contracted a serious case of the stomach flu from a girl's boyfriend who came to visit. I was in bed for two full days. It was very depressing as I dry-heaved over the toilet.
But when I did get better we decided to go on a day trip to Delphi. If you don't know what Delphi is, it housed the very famous temple to Apollo with the most famous oracle of all time. She sat in the temple, giving her very vague prophecies. Leaders from all over the known world would seek her advice on numerous things, from wars to government. She would also sit on top of a hole that channeled the fumes of the hot water spring underneath to increase the dramatic effect and possibly to intoxicate herself. But, in order to get her prophecy, you needed to send a lavish gift. The treasures of the oracle were almost as famous as she was, and they lined the very long path up to the Temple. Today, most of them are housed in the museum and consist of numerous statues and gold-pieces. It is pretty amazing! There is one statue with its eyes still painted from ancient times, a very rare thing. It is so rare in fact that the statue is worth over 1 billion euros, more than 3 billion dollars!
The site itself is built onto the side of a mountain, practically all the way to the top and all the way to the valley below. My legs and thighs were burning at the end of the day. They are ruins of course, but they are some of the most interesting I have seen so far. Whenever you look outwards, the visual is an infinite expanse, since its on a cliff. The Temple was like all ruined temples, and there were a few treasuries, a theater, a stadium, gymnasium and other buildings. Whenever you see pictures of Delphi, you see a picture of a round ruin. That happened to be at the bottom of the hill, but I was unsure of what it was.
The only downside - it took three hours to get to on. The bus there was fine, since it was 7.30 AM. I slept the whole way. But the way back was horrible! I don't think Greeks wear deodorant, and it had been a hot and sweaty day. I was very disgusting. Still, all in all, it was a successful trip!
Today, I went on a different adventure through Athens. For my class, I have to do walks, and I had to do one today on my own. I took Allison with me though because I didn't want to be alone. I went on an Ottoman walk that took me to the very few Turkish remnants in Athens. When Athens was "modernized" they were too zealous to glorify the classical ruins that they tore down almost anything Ottoman or French. There used to be a mosque on the acropolis of Athens, but it was deemed unworthy to keep. It is pretty sad. But, there still remains a few things. I walked around a mosque in the Roman agora, and mosque converted into a Greek museum, which I find incredibly ironic. The best part however were the Turkish baths. They are not functional now, but they rebuilt them. I walked through with a guided audio tour and it was pretty amazing and interesting! They still have some functional ones in Turkey and I really want to go. A full body massage with oil and a body scrub! But I am not going to Turkey, so I guess a good bath will have to do.
As you may have noticed, the look of my blog changed - a lot. I don't want to keep it this way, but blogger templates confuse me. I would like to feature some of my own pictures as the banner or background, but I don't know how to do this. Stacy, could you possibly help me?
And a few side notes - In my last blog I mentioned the terrorist group in Greece. It is the 17th of November, not the 13th.
And also, I am putting pictures up. The internet connection is very bad here though, so Flickr takes awhile. They are coming. Don't worry!
So, that is about it for now. Αντιο!
These are my posts for the my Greek Key class. The first is about my walk through Filopappou, a hill by the Acropolis. The second post is from my walk through Kaisariani, a ghetto in Athens. Don't worry Mom and Dad, its nothing like the ghetto in Chicago.
Filopappou - The Journey of My Knees
My trip from the Acropolis to Filopappou was quite different from my first walk, and much more difficult! In the beginning I was surrounded by chaos. Tourists, street vendors, buses and school children all congregated at the base of the monumental Acropolis. It was loud, noisy and a bit unbearable. But my knees were in heaven. The road was smoothly paved, making it easier for those slightly overweight and out-of-shape tourists! But as we walked further down, the slope became harder, the rocks more rough, and the noise slowly slipped away. These factors seemingly discourage many people, for I saw no more than a dozen on the hill. As I walked along, trying to keep my grip on the smooth rocks, my knees were in hell. But I felt as if I was following in the footsteps of the ancients, experiencing the city just as they were. There were no modern devices around and no tourists. I even thought I may be walking on the exact same stones as Plato did! Then, I came upon an open space, too good to be true. The Acropolis lay in plain view, and I quickly took out my camera, snapping many cliche pictures.
As I climbed farther up, my knees began to shake and hurt and as I rested on a rock over-looking the city, I couldn't help but wonder if the ancients saw the same view as me. But, as Jan began to talk, my view of the area quickly disintegrated to disappointment. The seat that I thought was so natural was rather engineered for me to think that way. As I walked down the hill, my knees began to kill more, and I slowly became a little pissed, which somehow led me to keep thinking about my experience. Those rough stones, the natural surroundings, the peace and quiet were all created rather recently in order to invoke exactly what I felt. That view of the Acropolis was indeed too good to be true! I became disappointed, embarrassed and duped! I fell trap to the architects plan! And more importantly, my knees suffered for nothing!
Afterwards, as I laid in my bed giving those knees a well deserved rest, I realized that it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. So I was duped by an ingenious architect. Who cares if I held a slightly romantic idea that I was walking with the ancients! I may go back and let my imagination run wild again. Go on a journey through the ancient hill of Filopappou! Or I could just dream it. Its much easier on my knees.
A Paradox
Kaisariani is a massive paradox. As one walks through the small, winding streets, dodging the oncoming cars and ducking under the drying laundry, you realize the complexity you stand in. On one side there are brand new complexes, large and imposing with white balconies that I wished I lived in. And across the street there are the small apartments, falling apart complete with bullet holes from the civil war that once served as the ghettos for those forced out of Turkey. A mural stands as a testament to the early foundation of modern Greece, with three citizens holding up an ancient temple in order to achieve the "Great Idea" and build their national pride. But look closer and you see the bullet holes and shell markings from a devastating Nazi occupation. Further along there stands a incredibly large billboard to a modern Cafe. The bright red sign sets off your taste buds until you can almost taste the rich coffee in your mouth. But then look a little bit to the right and see "Φάτε τους πλουσίους" gratified in bright pink on the side of a tiny house. The playground, where you see carefree children running around with their concerned parents watching and seemingly ready to apply band-aids at a moments notice, stands next to a shooting range once used by the Nazis to execute those patriots who struggled for so long to free their country. Teenagers idle around next to a monument honoring the dead. Heroes of the Polytechnic street is neither big nor glorious.
This paradox which the inhabitants live in, is largely ignored. It is their home, their way of life which they see as normal. And as I watched a man with Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses, gelled hair and BMW pull up to his small, run down home, I realized I was in a place I would never understand. But that only makes me love it more.
I had to put them in two videos. YouTube said my video was too long.
