tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80513876481656284022023-11-16T07:03:27.838-08:00A dash of lifeA blog about living and cooking with all ingredients possibleGraceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-20576938196584166222010-02-23T06:47:00.000-08:002010-02-23T07:47:33.603-08:00Regional recipes<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU59tvBBeDMo6k1xyBJN9CKGUiQTPBJS_crupAZRnPGeUxzkcx091Gn1xwsqPGyUNOF598InLwPeoR0KNo4loQ33ldw9ZNxv3okWRFMprVkFH4h_lzMc3qkeLxHa2i_PmYRqVJxZUxnsBS/s1600-h/1226568854FQj3xE.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 272px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441463673634584370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU59tvBBeDMo6k1xyBJN9CKGUiQTPBJS_crupAZRnPGeUxzkcx091Gn1xwsqPGyUNOF598InLwPeoR0KNo4loQ33ldw9ZNxv3okWRFMprVkFH4h_lzMc3qkeLxHa2i_PmYRqVJxZUxnsBS/s320/1226568854FQj3xE.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">I am never punctual when it comes to my blog (or life in general, for that matter), but I come through in the end. So here I am with some traditional recipes, from the island of Lesvos or Agiasos in particular.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Cabbage rolls filled with cod</strong></div></div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 122px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441462621868554578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxpgA1c79GRX2vNE2c8srUg-zCsFklbzFzHRSIgTlaKwlzf5Rdo1cWBe7H041ra2HyHsO0vkufdDVUx0v4lygk1em6GzXJrYQUea00Rzo0abR7UixERXcer-pkobk-5PNBXUOPrfen50t/s320/laxanodolmades_agiasou.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">makes 4 average-sized portions</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Ingredients:</strong> </div></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><ul><br /><li><div align="justify">1/2 cod (here we sell each piece of fish individually, they are really salty and you need to put them in cold water from the night before, in order to get them ready to use. Change the water 3-4 times.)</div></li><li><div align="justify">1 big cabbage, separated into cabbage leaves</div></li><li><div align="justify">1 cup white rice</div></li><li><div align="justify">2 onions, minced</div></li><li><div align="justify">1 tomato, grated (made into tomato pulp)</div></li><li><div align="justify">a handful of fresh parsley and spearmint</div></li><li><div align="justify">1/2 cup olive oil</div></li><li><div align="justify">pepper to your liking</div></li></ul></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Preparation:</strong><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong></strong></div><ol><li><div align="justify">Cut the cod into tiny pieces and place it in a bowl.</div></li><li><div align="justify">Add the rice, onions, tomato, parsley, spearmint, pepper and 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the bowl and mix well with a spoon.</div></li><li><div align="justify">Boil some water into a large pot and dip the cabbage leaves in it, for about 2 minutes. Drain.</div></li><li><div align="justify">Take each cabbage leave, fill it with some of the bowl mixture and close it, forming a roll.</div></li><li><div align="justify">Place your rolls into a large pot, add the olive oil, enough water so that all are covered, and cover the pot with a dish, turned upside down. Cook for about an hour, in low temperature.<br /><br /></div></li></ol><div align="justify"><strong></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong>Sfougato (oven-baked zucchini omelet)</strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong></strong></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441461673190051010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvG4vZoEqpr6IEjDog0oIMyAJ7pbiAlXt7Tlb7z7KI2clGckAIu9I4-1LFjHH93nCckjzbh5k_-CgLZsDgjlW7ME1_OE3zo67-hAgMrgIdOcVlt9M0rWsHwelVKwffy9-v6ahccS5RASQy/s320/1648_1.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Ingredients:</strong><br /></div><br /><ul><li><div align="justify">1 1/2 kg grated zucchini</div></li><li><div align="justify">1/2 cup olive oil</div></li><li><div align="justify">3 tablespoons butter, melted</div></li><li><div align="justify">2 1/2 cups feta cheese, crumbled</div></li><li><div align="justify">1 1/2 cup hard cheese (like parmesan, for example), grated</div></li><li><div align="justify">a bunch of fresh parsley or dill, chopped</div></li><li><div align="justify">6 eggs</div></li><li><div align="justify">2 tablespoons flour</div></li><li><div align="justify">1/2 cup heavy cream or evaporated milk</div></li><li><div align="justify">2 tablespoons bread crumbs</div></li><li><div align="justify">salt and pepper to your liking<br /><br /></div></li></ul><div align="justify"><strong>Preparation:</strong></div><div align="justify"><strong></strong><br /></div><ol><li>Place the grated zucchini in a colander, add salt and let them drain for about an hour, occasionally pressing them with a spoon.</li><li><div align="justify">Place them in a bowl and add the feta cheese, the parmesan, the parsley/dill, 2 tablespoons flour and some pepper.</div></li><li><div align="justify">Beat 5 eggs with heavy cream/evaporated milk and gradually add them to the bowl too.</div></li><li><div align="justify">Butter a medium-sized pan and add the bread crumbs at the bottom.</div></li><li><div align="justify">In a small pot, melt the rest of the butter with the olive oil and combine it with the yolk of the 6th egg.</div></li><li><div align="justify">Put the bowl mixture into the pan, top it with the butter/olive oil/egg yolk mixture, sprinkle with some water and bake at 360 F for approximately 50 minutes.</div></li></ol><br /><br /><div align="justify">Bon apetit!</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">So... now that you know the procedure, what do you say? Does it seem easy or hard? What hit you as weird/unfamiliar? I have to add that the Greeks are generally non-measure cooks, but I tried to be as precise as possible, when it came to ingredient amounts.</div><div align="justify"></div><p align="justify"></p><p align="justify">In my next post, I will be posting the recipe for giouzlemedes and anthoi. Until then, eat well and have fun!</p>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-79843933482887508022010-02-14T16:15:00.000-08:002010-02-18T13:24:39.352-08:00Mmmm... what are we having?<div align="justify">Hello, hello! It is time for a new post today. And since you asked for regional recipes last time, you're gonna get some authentic ones.<br /></div><div><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">But first, a quick introduction (or revision) on what people from the island of Mytilene usually eat. As all Greeks, they love fresh vegetables, herbs, olive oil and fish. But in order to honour their own beloved drink <a href="http://dash-of-life.blogspot.com/2009/03/welcome-to-athens-part-2.html">"ouzo", </a>they have it with a lot of appetizers, or "mezedes", as they are called here. Sometimes, there is no main course that follows, and dinner consists merely of an assortment of those yummy mezedes.</div><div><br /></div><div align="justify">In order to give you a better idea on what we Greeks eat, I will provide you with a menu that you would be likely to find in a typical restaurant here. So grab your (virtual) forks and let's go! Beware: Major drooling ahead!</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Mezedes</strong><br /></div><div><br /></div><ul><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Giouzlemedes: </strong>Little cheese pies, fried.</div></li><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 167px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 125px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439664018360697538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLN3Us4pHOR7CTQ_4WqYKeGM5RqC6U7YzP-iymxam4yJnJol952Yn68LdM4uTY6481ZJzU8J5MLqrfSe2Jt2neTKRJ__jo2557crmY_D9ovBnaO2Eqn_e8WKj3atgNZN5cTkLKH_5ZbbUp/s320/_1_~1.JPG" /><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Anthoi:</strong> Zucchini flowers stuffed with zucchini filling, cheese and herbs.</div></li><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439663126843291154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RrIbgl6cmA7m9nVSbhd4k2JMwfyWzyd4yXD_2xYY6aX1-0ZNSR8npD_KvgACCcrgahjZfIyI_Dy1bfsRaXxzLzUjUvrv23Q-yfz5EDVQHP2jyPqz7lioFck8fAiAxG9wvKsCRpWXZpDU/s320/squashflowers2+(2).jpg" /><br /><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Bourekakia:</strong> Fried rolls, stuffed with cheese and ham.</div></li><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 195px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439662251920166290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegkDO3EbRhTT7fShk3NLpmpMBYs8q76-6oOnk6jXUtTuCjpUb5w4Rw5gYpEGo7VT8yw7HN4LQn0VRF8j_OmZ_dhdW54e1tSF9_kGUztcf0UNlyrLQ1yVyKr75sK1yM9gyCq5BaqrfiOoM/s320/mpoyrekakia3.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Sfougato:</strong> Zucchini omelet, oven-baked.</div></li><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439660650419428258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQPEdSu7mJGlcjMZ13aUh-5mCnz4JMSc1N106r1A5F9OeQrGSzQFMBX3kkEOz7ZHh5IdKBDP3rEwhynWrz9pL27D5MnnQV8Od7f8ZqLbepa_H4UdAwCsxmnBo3fB0ufawIYSkPASav4hl/s320/1648_1.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Tzatziki:</strong> Classic appetizer consisting of Greek yoghurt, cucumber, garlic and (sometimes) dill.</div></li><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439659654065160642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZ6WAKwGMCEP_xx40h1yZgnReg2WSTpIGodWESinVnBYhFsOmk_uWnKxDIL1IBn6njCncmJhdpSt64UoB9GUzXKNDIH0jjAM19w8srEbcn9GkaMiV-TJo1HCiiboyYes7C0O85shi1028/s320/1935097761_178e11446e.jpg" /><br /><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Kavourosalata:</strong> Crab salad with mayo.</div></li><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Taramosalata:</strong> Appetizer usually eaten during Lent, consisting of mashed fish eggs (sounds weird, but tastes delicious).</div></li><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439658462875202818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6rYmH_rUxVInH_peKGq5VZJit06g5DamtVfDiqtxlHPAK9pXP8y2MA84r5gMoaNe_XWQwlKDFrdquJtuIWS_czrkJ6EjQXY5Tz6GqpsS4mnRcG1KSw6LO1jfQarUyxTf_IPJeG-gQnPj/s320/Taramosalata1.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Patatokeftedes:</strong> Fried potato-cheese balls.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439657813889756370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2G2cc5F81B5Z5hdIaIGziDwpEzYHbE79XzOibffcAI1HNELtWr6aSbOEnLBe5HdV1xscHD0MGtu8RsPPKv1ppxfUgrZOPCoccPoRtaS3aMoBQeUDliuzNciQVsEhwjuO3X8e0RXEDZnhl/s320/dsc02982.jpg" /></div></li></ul><div><br /></div><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong></strong></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Salads</strong><br /></p><strong></strong><div></div><ul><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Greek salad / Horiatiki:</strong> Another classic, made with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, feta cheese, and an olive oil-vinegar-oregano dressing.</div></li><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439656871839476850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybPLSU3twx8B9lJjsdzy6f_XGmy3kdEKPQdJLi9sBfnK7jCEmDUGpTRwXJotYbncc60R8BKqImR8VkEM-MDvmQUuMrn-QF_w7lOQbAbwYzDFNgTSw-1OpLHThPBmT_wcM4v8-KBTxB7lm/s320/greek-salad-su-1173749-l2.jpg" /><br /><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Green salad</strong>: Various "green" stuff, usually "wild" ones, aka collected from mountain slopes and not gardens.<br /></div></li><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439656137624843986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8v88nKD17gwIqLtEcgTe54QlV4-xuNmoqYiYiocwNuIOTQ1v-XudMC7k3iI4fsCOaYUWmzuPv97RhP8sVxCYmRMSmjzN3o_kear8C9h4w6OqOwOYZ14vPcxc888uivEDaU3uFKa_qoL7Z/s320/xorta.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Beet salad: </strong>With<strong> </strong>a vinegar and mashed garlic dressing.</div></li></ul><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439655135059782354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamzJHjklr9dTSDC4K0RN9obib78vN2xgzOi3ofGzlqKA5w-43fxJsDSEFjoc1Yomf3mqhjnchj3_BHy306SkoUsrXIB7-FCWlu1tjq8i5W9JTaPfoLD-94stu6hQdQXiVxgeRrWrnFU5R/s320/ss_patzarosalata_F6074.jpg" /><br /><div></div><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong></strong></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Main courses</strong><br /></p><ul><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Grilled octopus</strong></div></li><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439654362172811138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV5RefM3qgW2pg2YzotEKOWl86SqC2T7NPiedWEwr1MpVi-KdZ1GzT5INk-hI4O9B5KxLXENMPUe3HIiW_UACI2kVLn0bJ-iuu-5Pa3gMz5nEkwrbiu8uq-jFq2dElIYsT4dEt2LDg7xT/s320/xtapodi_karbouna.jpg" /><br /><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Fresh fish, fried or grilled</strong></div></li><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Fried calamari</strong></div></li><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439652807325202210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMOoTY4UAdHQUcb_d7Mi14HIXPTP10jOguA7qycZyh36qotegFekQkAU17BKyssQ1Z3_550K7MkI0mbYz1NVgv7BonveA4Xw3ZKO4ztWQ7ObFcvehvkXzhrBGYM_NSW7EKU8mUzIRmp5b/s320/kalamarakia.jpg" /><br /><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Grilled sausages</strong></div></li><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439651667662087778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJX1PEluESr0-iDX-VmEeycu_gDQOYoFYiEJvMU57I31IjXB1QSpp4tWiIDmi5bHX85wopRrI9XgJcodkEsZCjO1Th9pK4PYxpaW4pmYkCuYxQ1taZh_Z8b5W2v0JYPXTe_-baTgJP5ryh/s320/cretan4.jpg" /><br /><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Kopsidia: </strong>Grilled pork pieces.</div></li><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Fried meatballs</strong> </div></li></ul><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 195px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439650323251296354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jppIFu5hEOI88c0vmI92NS3484aiAqBMuwPex3ww0yHuC2HBfKRhp9FZHYogYCxecBZscNAuJDIIbilBw7NQdJvEIcR1WvkDCEuRspI3Iz0SaxYKcho7ZITaMm_wxPzZwuv4j9HRxu-0/s320/Keftedes1.jpg" /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong></strong></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Desserts</strong><br /><br /></p><strong></strong><ul><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Greek yoghurt with honey and nuts</strong></div></li><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>Halvas</strong></div></li></ul><br /><br /><ul><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439648220875364114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEMZ17UfOlrvvLU7JB8xk7HYtpO3Mtvgm5Khv1D5rvOLaD3_0IB6XD-hjo_B7159mN4w2ct_q2DunNWR9R_PjbFtEH75bwyfqm1f_tr2fihXXkY3eluYOhuzooTgKCEEMrlQj5Gv8xLtn/s320/650x568-halvas_politikos.jpg" /></ul><ul><br /><br /><li><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong>"Spoon" dessert: </strong>Made<strong> </strong>with boiled fruit and sugar.</div></li></ul><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439646994421185298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNnHSsgx8r63-0hQ88pt_DpiVSIxqJA4binVezwaA1TPHsYzRzwky8OkdQeRPhjS-WLCehCz6yKjZvfFHetnGj7xsCxdXDflpSE3XEByt2h8FIGuaaMJ9HYqrd4ktJvor3fnbQb8ZQO5-/s320/kidoni-glyko.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Bon apetit!<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">So, that was it... I'll give you some time to dream about all this delicious food, and I will come back with some recipes! I hope you liked it!</p></div></div></div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-17723416670844404242010-01-23T08:13:00.000-08:002010-01-23T09:55:24.007-08:00Agiasos: The place to be (?)<div align="justify">I realised I have written about my job as a village doctor before, but I have yet to describe the village itself. So... it's time for that too.<br /><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429993960894789474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEips-DGSBVpgwVqosfycjtc_JjzAYzhvyp8173qAmyTIyMWxxO8mZ2SfzOoVyJNg3kP2F6QhIiOX3hXujrvmc_3EfaPZO29yWQsNesVq5GZ8PggyhWqOS9trkcQSDnawLeJvhy0MnlB6hUm/s320/agiasos3.jpg" /><br /><div><br /><div><div><div><div align="justify">The place where I am now working is called Agiasos. It is a traditional and pictoresque village, with approximately 3,000 inhabitants. It is built at the slopes of Mount Olympus (not the famous one, which was supposedly where the Greek Gods resided - this one is in Central Greece), at an altitude of 500 metres. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429993223592727954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RHJkpCIk1kCSB_4aBI2OlgMYnLVkb27T3KZMoRsdg_06M5_ROXUAFBe_SC3FlvnEW5Pf-pqUA1NtNO4kOA-mqUtLuDjHzyspyIuyal5u-uA6IZTLieCTCkStp4dWooD0GoMY_gUFLw1m/s320/agiasos0.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">If you are a fan of nature and you love long walks on steep slopes, enjoying the magnificent view and passing through olive groves and chestnut forests, Agiasos really is the place to be. But also if you choose to stick to the housing itself, you can wander at its cobbled streets and photograph its preserved buildings.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429992623838148018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdQCEzjADsBQgtKym7WsLzxofP5Nu3AMVzs5GDbJ6i-733OJQVIWSVb7QDzEg-TodWUNT9UvCpgZGGmKN4KKf3F-vEbIQD1hBHku20pjf7DBtm_QUxMy4d1cRlPWW9HqqQ4tTk3Y8Z_9A/s320/agiasos1.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Agiasos took its name from the image of "Saint Sion" or "Agia-Sion" in Greek. This was a picture of Holy Mary, painted by Saint Lucas. It was brought here at 802 AD from Jerusalem. A church dedicated to Virgin Mary was built 2 centuries later, and the settlement gradually developed around it. The picture is considered miraculous even to this day, and hundreds of people rush to worship it on 15th August, where the Orthodox honour the Mother of Jesus. A great festival takes place here, and some people even come from Mytilene (22 kms away) on foot. (Yes, a crazy doctor you may know attempted this last summer, she might have scratched her knees in the process, but she finally made it to the village in one piece!)</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 251px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429991867034149698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmZ5Izr6onHWEfI4-HqcShhxyN2q7Qe5bPhWC8Zu5jMSHMO4dt4hlsbEajWXHQtv4kD_sq66NOPpx-x2AY6wC61_48cIi7HUwOs_50CIXPslmwC0C6JA-qdddzEC-oq9dKBzg_Y0osdgG/s320/logobot.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">But this is the info on Agiasos that you can easily find online. I guess you expected more from me - and you are gonna get it. One cannot begin to know Agiasos, if he/she doesn't become aquainted with its people and their mentality.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">The people from Agiasos... now that's a long story! Before I came here, I had heard a lot on this matter. The people from Mytilene accused them often - they were "tight on the money the spent", "rude", "they disliked foreigners", "overly proud of themselves", "they fed on fights and arguments" and so on. Literally everybody on this island seemed to dislike them, and I have to admit I was a little prejudistic when I first arrived here.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">And now? Well, after spending 5 months here, I have come to know them a little better. Setting the fact that I am in love with one of them aside (major LOL), they are not so bad after all. It all depends on how you behave when you first meet them - if you start with contempt, you are sure to get some back.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Ok, they are not the most sociable people on the island. They are not the ones who smile idiotically at tourists, and rushing to meet their every need, only to curse them under their teeth later. Having lived at a mildly isolated environment, and depending on anything but tourism to earn a living (they turned to farming and wood carving instead), they have grown to be mildly suspicious of new faces. But once they like somebody, they become really open-hearted and friendly to him/her.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Tight on money? No, not really. As all Greeks, every night you go out and have some ouzo or wine, you are most likely to have somebody buy one more bottle for you. Also, I experienced their generosity as their doctor - when you make a home visit, you simply cannot leave without a "tip" (I personally try to avoid them as much as possible), some fresh eggs, sweets or other goodies.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Proud of themselves? Well yes, they are. They definitely are. But they might have some reason to be. It is impossible to be on the island, and not find someone from Agiasos at key places like the area of health, education or the government. Also, they have managed to preserve their specific characteristics through the centuries, such as their traditions or their dialect. If you are not from around here, you are unlikely to understand what they are saying to you. They have their own festivals, their Carnival, they defend their arts and customs with great passion - and sincerely, I wish we all did the same thing at our own villages.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429989524414058626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8Hja-6q5COBSAqooqwblYRhOwIeSaf3VbfpiAN3cbzTpcfzHSUELeW2krh0aV02KJ3J837T92E77bsNSxFt4TLMf0RXsEkH_nVfNAOBE3GJG92ozXWti7jQpJI8j9xOfQyfKV5R2vgjV/s320/agiasos7.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="justify">So, is Agiasos the Paradise on Earth? Of course not. There are days where I cannot stand the mist and the cold, and I crave for some sunshine instead. Sometimes, I get tired of trees and mountains, and I want to enjoy some amazing sea views to relax. And of course, being blunt and speaking your mind out loud can occasionaly be quite tiring - some old fashioned <em>savoir vivre </em>and politiness wouldn't be bad.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">But overall, I feel lucky to have come here. Learning some dialect, enjoying some new customs and getting in touch with my true self. Dealing with difficult situations and discovering that, surprisingly, I can make it. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">And yes, falling in love does add to the positive points a little bit... :P</div></div></div></div></div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-22121755065794777892010-01-10T06:37:00.000-08:002010-01-10T08:05:56.383-08:00I'm still here!It's been a while - and that's quite a euphimism. Life was too hectic and demanding and exciting and crazy to even consider things twice, much less blog about them.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">But now I have some time, and some thoughts I'd like to share. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">First of all, I thought about quitting this blog. It's no use having one if you don't update it regularly, and if you cannot read and comment on the adventures of your friends on the blogosphere. You have to be there, you have to make time for it. And gradually, it becomes an obsession, or at least one more thing to do, unless you want to feel guilty all the time.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 218px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425139469178387490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWw_38b5PyyMw9gNNuv6bBIE0ZA3SWDBNrXnArk2SO2Ae45gwpHi7qdN_SM_yZlhBniko4PZP9IBIK0j4Vk_CoW8e_Xy6AI5O5TdI0_fKBc_ljdeOGKqfref8z8Hhh9AIeWz2_UypMaqX/s320/skeleton-computer.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">We have so many obligations in our everyday lives. We have to be effective and productive at our jobs, loving and caring for our families, responsible with our hosehold chores, considerate with our neighbours. There are things that need to be done - yesterday, if possible. Important stuff but also trivial ones, that tend to bug as all the time and fill us with guilt about neglecting them.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Having responsibilities is good. It means you have a life for yourself and gets you going. But being buried under a great pile of "to do-s" and not enjoying the ride is a crime. It only means that you're wasting your time doing nothing but worrying.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">I started this blog because I love writing. It has always helped me clear my mind and relax. Truthfully, obsessing about my posts, my comments and my followers does not relax me one bit. However, the answer is not to stop writing, but to stop worrying. As a result, I won't be quitting the blog - I will be quitting the need to be there more than I really want to. I will be quitting the guilt.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Secondly, I thought about creating another blog, a new one. I am a totally different person now than the one I was last year. My life and "hers" look nothing alike. Don't get me wrong, I haven't fugured out as much stuff as I would want to, I am still goofy and make wonderful mistakes. You can only change so much about yourself, you know. But at least now I act, rather than agonize about making a move. I walk and fall, rather than sit and wait for things to happen. Of course, it is now statistically much more easier to make mistakes, but also do things the right way.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">So, a new blog for a new girl? Nah, it's no use. Because the girl is basically the same inside. Only a little stronger and more mature, but still sillly, clumsy and so soft that cries with baby food commercials. After all, this year's experiences wouldn't have happened, it it weren't for the last year's ones. Change is impossible, unless there is actually something to change. As a result, I am sticking to the same old blog.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">But enough with the serious and cliche "words of wisdom". What about some things from my everyday life?</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />I am still at the village, of course. It's been 4 and a half months now, and I have as much time to go. I got used to my life here, and now know what I am capable of, and what I am not. I am better aware of whether I can fight or I should quit in each case. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The island is beautiful, even though it loses a great part of its charm if you take the sea and the beaches out. I still have my summer friends, and some new ones. My driving has improved, my binge eating has not. Oh, well...</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">It was my birthday 3 days ago - I turned 25. 25 had always seemed such an important age when I was younger. I had always thought that, by that time, I would have created the life I had always wanted. I would be succesful and happy, with a great job, a great family, great looks and great hobbies.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425137995075797602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluoZXBdumaBbbuiVOh3bXdkssdt5Fm8FOCdFzOnyf0aqQ8h5x_5tv93xqwCTefo03IHGDbkiTgJDl98rvubHuNAb7y53C7mo7ryGATlDraSi_vo3yUuDoQAXmwlpS1i7STE2EDb2D4xxS/s320/I-hate-birthdays.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">This is all <a href="mailto:cr@o">cr@o</a>, of course. Not only because it is impossible. Life is too complicated to sort it out that easily. After all, if you have everything at 25, what's the point in living for at least another half of a century? But mainly because, when you blow your candles at 25, you realise that the life you had dreamt of at 12, 18 or 20 does not resemble the life you want now one bit.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Things change, people change, we ourselves change. Sometimes it is painful, but generally it is okay. Even if a certain situation appears to be worse after that, change itself makes it possible to turn things over again - and again - and again.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">My Christmas was ok. For the first time ever, I worked through Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after, but it was okay. I was able to take a week off after that, and by Day 3 I was bored and wanted to get back! Yeah, I am a freak, but you knew that already.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Oh, one more thing I forgot to tell you. I kinda sort of fell in love...</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">WHAT? Well, yes, it happened when I least expected it - as always. I am at a really good place right now, more relaxed and happy (in fact so calm that my parents suspected I did drugs when they saw me during the holidays, or that I became a part of some weird paganistic clan!). No, it is all natural, and I will write more on a future post. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Until then, I will enjoy myself, and I advise you to do the same. Laugh, go out, dance, have some drinks, read a great book, watch an amazing movie, make love or take a long walk, whatever YOU want really. As long as you have fun. See ya!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425136778903509746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65epfVn8Il1mO6R9kjT8805OzEOnWYaDjS3ou6b2xbleyEcCfwj19ERJM1Fc4X3NLDDGpzEFw7mcjoiR8YRtNqkfVKYIkm2GWxmC8QZtMFeUWL1UGc6eGnOWYB3fQmfO3NmQ4fjLW_4EZ/s320/have_fun_nissou_blogphotography.jpg" /></div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-11489800940500794442009-11-04T13:02:00.000-08:002009-11-04T14:40:04.940-08:00What I am supposed to do<div align="justify">So... I'm back! Thanks for the warm welcome, people. I started catching up with your blogs and reading about your adventures. As for me, I'm doing fine. I had a new haircut</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400374315160251378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9_Y3-Q3EKgMmHFRbnbWNqZ4Qgfg6ciD1jhQtUic0i9gBbWDsNKRqGcE5LB-tEcK15ZhBSaPXDQoGmwAtmmWiDzAPMTA-Ssp5whJkiUBvlYUh2nZJI-oEBqVdWluQTEILsG6nGfFfoN3H/s320/DSC00078.JPG" /><br /></p><p>and got used to driving my new car, "Tempeh" (pre-bumps and scratches picture)</p><p><br /></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400378577638124626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQuMkwNt56pEx5YtvqSoaINCn4anCMADLij6Tajfflalojxp58yjyfrlzXlO3lVt3zNFceAaBfES-7WNB47TMerwQI5yDpxravjhZ7Cv9AMkgelvysYoWDRg1pV-MVIF-m6KFNNndWH3QY/s320/DSC00002.JPG" /><br /></p>But what about my new job?<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Well, it's been 2 months since I started working at the village. Is treating patients as rewarding as I thought it would be? Well... no. Am I missing the good ol' Mytilene days? Um... yes. Have I regretted staying here and throwing a perfectly good job opportunity away? Hmm... no. Not just yet.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">To be honest, being the village doctor hasn't turned out to be exactly what I had imagined. But before I can share stories from my everyday life, it is necessary to talk a little about where I work, what I am supposed to do and what I am actually doing.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">We are sharing a practice with one more village doctor (actually a fellow student of mine from the university of Crete, who applied for the same position as me by sheer chance!!!) and a nurse. Each doctor has her own office, with a desk and an examination bed and there is also a small kitchen, a toilet and a waiting room for the patients.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Things we CAN do at our practice:<br /></div><ul><li><div align="justify">Measure blood pressure (and deal with an emergency hypertasic crisis) and blood glucose levels. Also, perform a urine stick test to diagnose or rule out an infection, for example.</div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Perform a clinincal exam and treat illnesses that are not life threatening, such as a common cold, a mild pneumonia or a case of gastrenteritis.</div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Give CPR in case of an emergency, stabilise and monitor the patient, until an ambulance arrives and takes him/her to the hospital.</div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Do stitches and perform minimally invasive procedures, such as change a bandage/dressing, a permanent urine catheter or treat wounds/burns.</div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Give vaccines when indicated.</div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Refill resident doctors' prescriptions.</div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Inform the village population on various topics (for example, what the swine flu is and what measures should be taken).</div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Verify death and write certificates in case of natural causes. </div></li></ul><div align="justify"><br />Our practice is open from 08:30 to 14:00. After that, one of the three available doctors is on call (the third one doesn't work at the practice in the mornings, but at the local mental facility) and the other two get to leave. Being on call means that your mobile phone number is available to everybody, and they can call you in case of emergency. So, if something urgent happens, you have to open the practice and examine that certain patient, or go to his/her home if he/she is unable to move or to the site of the accident if something like that happens.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><p align="justify">Things we CAN'T do:<br /></p><ul><li>Give Xrays and blood exams. No such equipment is available.</li><br /><li><div align="justify">In cases of chronic illnesses, prescribe medication for the first time. If a person suffers from asthma or high blood pressure, for example, we are not eligible to plan their treatment. They should consult a specialist, who decides the drugs the patient should get. After the treatment is set, we have the right to refill the patients' drugs when they run out. But again, if changes should be made to the initial medication, only specialists have the right to make them. </div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Deal with life-threatening illnesses, such as meningitis, severe pneumonia or pulmonary embolism.</div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Prescribe drugs or give vaccines to children - a pediatrician should be consulted.</div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Give death certificates if cause of death is unknown.</div></li></ul><br /><p align="justify">All of this does sound pretty neat. Basically, our role is that of general practicioners. Taking in mind that villages mostly consider of elderly people, who are unable to travel long distances and go to the hospital at Mytilene, we are there to help them.<br /></p><p align="justify">Or so we thought when applying.</p><div align="justify"><br />To know what really happened, stay tuned for my next post! I wouldn't want to bore you with more medical stuff for now, plus I got a call for a patient, just when I had put my pajamas on.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><p align="justify"></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400375968989429154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijr2dKR2WlO3IGYxi9tuETpkbT9sBJJSx011MjucT3iVrl61puV-VkqknTj6Nt4Ently3cW8XRIKdao6HxlXAndlSC4VBl5DZokFh95GNu8z_w38Vt1YwMiC-BUGZNhyphenhyphenzPxKWOb_C_dLeZ/s320/DSC00059.JPG" />Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-77134663956616604152009-11-01T08:35:00.000-08:002009-11-01T08:54:00.565-08:00Look who's here!<div align="justify">Hey, remember me? </div><br /><div align="justify">...</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">You do, don't you?<br /></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Well, if I seem even remotely familiar, it's me, Gracey. The crazy Greek girl who is trying to become a doctor, a cook, a friend and a normal person in general - and not always with success.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">The Internet gods temporarily managed to keep me away, but ha ha ha! (insert satanic laughter here) I'm baaaaack! All set with a brand new wifi at home, and full of stories. Interesting stories (mostly), funny ones or thought-provoking. But they are my own stories, they're all true, and I wanna share them with you.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">So if you're out there, and you are so weird that you wanna hear more from me, just say the word. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">If you can't figure out who the hell I am and what I am talking about, you can ignore me or get to know me better through my posts.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Oh, and one last thing:</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">I missed you, guys. Each and every one of you. A LOT.</div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-87284478843251009382009-09-06T00:30:00.001-07:002009-09-06T00:45:45.787-07:00A quick update...<div style="text-align: justify;">This time my absence was completely unavoidable. My first week of working at the village has ended, and it has been frightening, chaotic and hard! Having to be the one that MAKES the decisions for the patients' treatment, rather than the one who simply observes things happening, is really terrifying and it requires a lot of guts... and responsibility... and knowledge... and empathy... and I am working on all four.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I don`t know when I`ll be able to post again, since there is no internet connection at the village and I am on call almost every day (meaning I can`t leave and go to Mytilene, of course!) so it may be a while. Nevertheless, I will be thinking of all of you, and I´ll keep stalking and commenting on your news and life adventures, as soon as the Internet gods give me the chance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By the way, I am now in Germany for the weekend, and having a lot of fun! :) But more news in the future! Take care and enjoy yourselves as much as possible!</div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-8337055493907852842009-08-29T07:03:00.001-07:002009-08-29T08:50:44.400-07:00My timeline<div align="justify">My blog friend <a href="http://thisstopwilloughby.blogspot.com/2009/08/timeline.html">Willoughby</a> had this amazing idea for a blog post the other day, regarding a past and future timeline. Many followed her example, and now it is my turn to do so.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 2009 - 24 years old</strong>: I am in Mytilene, having finished the trimester of training as an agricultural doctor. Today I finally found a place to stay (yay!), and I am anxious about Monday, the first day to start working on my own, with real patients to treat. My summer has been amazing, having done a lot of fun stuff and having met many interesting people. I am a little worried about next week, when I'll fly to Germany to visit Ernesto. I wonder how I will feel after seeing him, and what his own reaction will be...</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 2008 - 23 years old: </strong>I really should have been preparing myself for the final 2 exams I need to take, in order to graduate in September, but I haven't. I am bored sick, and thinking only of vacation. Ernesto and I had an amazing time on our trip to Berlin, but now I am back in Heraklion, feeling miserable and nervous. I don't know which specialty to choose, and I really don't want to go to Germany to start a residency, as Ernesto suggests. I really, trully, don't want to do it. My mother moves to Germany, to work as a teacher there, and my father anxiously awaits his papers to come, in order to join her with my younger brother. It turns out that they will spend 3 months apart, which will be a painful process for all of us. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 2007 - 22 years old:</strong> I am really excited - Ernesto and I will be moving to Prague for 4 months, for an ERASMUS scholarship! We'll have a great time there, and we'll manage to visit many European cities. Our vacation to Barcelona has been traumatic (I was robbed for the first time) but 'colourful' and fun as well. I am also planning our wedding for next year, which will not take place in the end. I don't know it yet, but his parents will break my heart when asking him to not marry me and break up with me. Nevertheless, we will stay together. Also, I will decide not to take the Radiology exam in September, which will be a terrible mistake, and will lead me to graduate 3 months later than expected. This year my grandmother will follow my grandfather to Heaven (or wherever it is that we go after) and oddly, her going exactly one year after him, will seem to make perfect sense.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 2006 - 21 years old: </strong>I am now in Norway, on a HELMSIC scholarship, working as a Pathologist. It is the first month I am spending away from Ernesto since we got together, but oddly, I am enjoying myself. The working conditions here are amazing, and I am experiencing a non-stress working environment for the first time in my life. I am meeting a lot of interesting people, of different nationalities, and doing many stuff I'd never thought I would do (like climbing on a glacier, or swimming when the water temperature is 4 degrees C!) This is the last year my grandfather will be spending with us, and I will not get to see him before he goes, which will result in me suffering from guilt for the years to come.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 2003 - 18 years old: </strong>This is the first summer Ernesto and I will spend together as a couple. We will have a crappy weekend vacation in Chania, but it won't bother us much. We have Phoebs in our home for a month now, and she is naughtier than ever. Eventually, she will calm down and be the perfect dog, but she will chew on many shoes, flip flops, sheets, towels and even cables, until she gets there! Ernesto thinks that she will be a temporary guest in our apartment, but she will end up being with me longer than he himself will! My parents are moving back to Trikala, but I am not surprised.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 2002 - 17 years old: </strong>I have just found out that I will not be studying Greek literature in Athens, which I originally had applied for, but Medicine in Crete! This is a great surprise, and I am worried sick! I don't want to go there - it seems too far away, and I am not sure I even want to study Medicine! Meanwhile, my parents are moving to Athens, after living in Trikala for 10 years. In about a month, I will meet Ernesto, and I will fall in love with him. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 2001 - 16 years old:</strong> I have just finished the first set of exams for the university (2 years total) and my grades are outstanding. Our family vacations in Naxos have been amazing, as always - but I discovered something shocking: I am not eligible to apply for a translator/guide/ambassador place at the University of Corfu, as I had aspired! What will I do now? Nothing else seems to interest me, and I will definitely not apply for Greek literature, like my parents! Maybe choosing the "theoretical" branch of studies was not so clever, after all... If I had chosen differently, I could even have applied for Medicine. Medicine! How cool would that be?</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 2000 - 15 years old: </strong>I am preparing for the final 2 years of high school, which will end up in two sets of exams. I have chosen the "theoretical" branch of studies, partly because I think I hate Math (I end up loving it), and partly because I want my father to teach me at home, rather than spending half of my day at private tuition. I want to be an interpreter/guide/ambassador, after studying at the University of Corfu. My social life is suffering hard, but at least I have my best friend to rely on. I don't know it yet, but once high school ends, our friendship will end too, and on the worst terms possible.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 1999 - 14 years old: </strong>This has been a most tiring year. After finishing top of my class, while getting 2 degrees in English and 1 in Italian and playing at a piano recital, I feel exhausted. I just wanna have a little fun instead. I decide not to take up so many things next year, and I end up being a TV addict and gaining 10 lbs! This is the last summer I will be spending with my 2 best friends from high school.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 1993 - 8 years old: </strong>We are moving away from Crete and going back to Trikala, and I am devastated! I don't want to go again - and I will miss all of my new friends. On February I will have a little brother, Alex - and he will be a major pain in the @ss, but I will love him like crazy too.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 1992 - 7 years old:</strong> We are leaving Trikala, to go to Crete! I don't want to go - I feel sick of moving all the time. I desperately ask for a pet, but all I get is a snail! My sister gives me chicken pox on the day that I am supposed to go to a dress up party, and I secretely fantacize murdering her as a revenge! LOL</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 1991 - 6 years old: </strong>After spending 3 years in Athens, we are moving to Trikala. It will be fun to know my father's side of the family a little better. My grandparents are weird, and speak a dialect I don't understand, but they seem to be nice people and give me and my little sister sweets all the time. This year I realise I love my sister after all. We play a lot out in the open, and do all sorts of nasty things!</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 1988 - 3 years old:</strong> We are now living in Athens. I miss Crete a lot. My little sister is nearly a month old. I am crazy jealous of her, and I can't understand why we need her at all! She is obnoxious, she has no teeth, she cries all the time and my parents seem to be spending all of their time with her and not me! This is the first year I go to kindergarten. Or I am supposed to go, at least. Because, for some weird reason, I contract every disease there is out there, and spend every single day in bed with a fever! Finally, I am having my tonsils removed and things seem to go a little better. And by the way, eating ice cream with a sore throat after the operation is NO fun at all! This is actually the first time ever someone forces me to eat ice cream, and I refuse!</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 1986 - 2 years old:</strong> We move to Chania with my parents, and I enjoy myself immensely. Next year I will learn how to read, and I will discover a new, magical world. I love watching cartoons with my dad, going to the zoo and eating all sorts of weird stuff (like lambs' brains, oysters and intestines soup). My mother claims I am the most outgoing baby on Earth. One day, she is shocked to find out that I creep out of the apartment after my dad goes to sleep, visit the local bookstore and pick new books (of course I don't pay for them, because I don't even know what money is!). After that, the whole neighbourhood is on "baby watch" - they keep an eye on me for my safety, but without me ever knowing about it. I still wander about casually, and discover interesting things day by day.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 1985 - a few months old:</strong> My parents graduate from the university of Rethymnon. My first months of life have been extraordinary, with students taking turns into babysitting me, and my mom feeding me while attending political gatherings. I get used to being around many people, and enjoy being in the centre of attention. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>29th August, 1984: </strong>My mom is 4 months pregnant with me. I don't know why, but they decided to keep me, even though both my parents are students. Also, 4 days ago, they got married. They will regret this in the end (the marriage process itself, not them being together), but at least they won't regret keeping me. I am still only a tiny mass in my mom's uterus, but I am grateful. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">So that's it, guys! I hope you enjoyed my timeline - I sure did! I will come back with my future timeline as well at some point.</div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-88739408908636916752009-08-26T10:34:00.000-07:002009-08-26T11:50:36.850-07:00Some bad newsMy not having posted for a while now is no news, nor something that needs an elaborate explanation: It was simply a result of enjoying the last days of the summer, and also the last days of the best trimester of my life so far. <div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="justify">As I have explained before, I will be working as an agricultural doctor in Lesvos for a whole year. The first 3 months are spent in Mytilene, where each one of us is trained at the hospital here. After this educational trimester ends, we are to move to our village of choice (the one we applied for 6 months ago) and actually start working.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="justify">I guess that my everyday life at the village will be interesting, challenging, funny and with a few surprises. I promise to share my experiences, good and bad, along the way. But until Monday 31st, my first day at work as a "real" doctor, I am still a trainee. </div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="justify">A trainee not being trained, actually - but this is for another future post. But as a result of the flexible hours and the everything-but-intensive schedule, I have lots of free time. Free time to make friends, swim, sunbathe, watch interesting movies (or <a href="mailto:cr@ppy">cr@ppy</a> ones - it doesn't matter, as long as you have good company!), play board games, enjoy long drives in my car (and occasionally create a new bump or two), drink yummy cocktails and gain 100 pounds by enjoying the local cuisine! In short, free time to have fun.</div><div align="justify"> </div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 303px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374345938348022690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPN1tRn6JOqKCrYP4rLom2t51XjGCPjJUlcxH8j1ZoROjBIme-px0si9MiR-xLBRSEQcNNrhgKLk12YXu4XiqMUNH8LV011UqEo_psiT3U9-avsDycsnU6oGLKNq5TxKLsTmmDte_wDGA_/s320/summer.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Somewhere along the way, I feel the annoying presence of guilt for not studying, and not being 100% dedicated to my job. But you know what? In my 24 years of life, I can't remember myself having much fun. It was always a race, a competition - I had to give my best, I had to be the best. And after going through the incredibly painful process of Greek exams, upon entering Med school, I discovered that I had been cheated - where was all the "fun" I was promised, right after the exam torment had ended? Not only things were not "fun", they were even harder then! In fact, I had to study more than ever before!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">And I did. And I will, until the very last day of my life. Because Medicine requires true dedication, and it is a science that always evolves. There are no givens, and no golden rules. Everything we take for granted now, may change tomorrow. So we must always be up-to-date. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">So, for the last 3 months, I decided to tell my guilt to shut it and go away. It was one of my very few opportunities to have fun, and I promised myself to take it. And I did. And it was amazing!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">But today, I feel awful. I know, it is ok to be a little sorry that the trimester is ending, and also a little (or a lot!) terrified that starting Monday, I will be responsible for real, flesh and bones, people.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">However, the reason for my bad mood is a bit more practical. There is a problem with my accomodation at the village. I was going to rent an appartment there for 9 months, and started looking for one with my colleague, a while back (we agreed to not stay together, for various reasons, so we had to find one for each). There had to be good heating, because the village is on the top of a mountain and it is cold in the winter, and since it was for 9 months only, it would be better if they were already furnished (because after 18395 moves, dragging my furniture across the other end of Greece was not an option).</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">We searched a lot, and found only 2 suitable places. My colleague and I liked the same one, but I decided it was just not worth fighting for, so I went for the other. She herself closed the deal with hers, and today I phoned the owner of "mine", in order to agree on some last details.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">But guess what? The owner decided that she won't accept me, because I have a dog! I was furious! Don't get me wrong, it is TOTALLY her right not to want pets at her property. However, we had talked about this TWICE before, and she had said there was no problem whatsoever! Not only did she not need convincing, but she seemed more than ok with Phoebs. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">And today, 4 days before my move and while we had unofficially agreed and I had stopped searching for something else, she decided against us! I did not see that coming - and I am wondering what to do now.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 223px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374345487945808818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkFVosZAU2XNLiQayzvS_1DlmNL4LoboUPE3v35o9bMhUEjV688ObsFTjX0KrOYa34viUUVbdH31l9l1fkIQVNZwgROz2kEULvGs2dTY6tiaSBdtHOhSK1wsoDhJOFLzsUSUXiEStQs3D/s320/surprise2.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">I asked again, and there are no other accomodation options at the village that suit my needs. So, my only 2 options are: 1) Rent an unfurnished appartment and spend a small fortune (which I lack at the moment) equipping it for a stay of just 9 months - not to add the need to transfer every single piece in my tiny car, because having the shop move it is not possible, or 2) Rent an appartment in Mytilene, and go back and forth every single day, driving in potentially dangerous roads, with snow and ice in the winter (not to mention also spending a small fortune on gas).</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">I am really frustrated right now, and feel that I am out of time. Also, next weekend I will be off to Germany (I'll share the details in another post) and will have no time to deal with all this, so the pressure of finding a solution fast is overwhelming.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">I know it's not possible to help me from so far away (and I am sure that, not knowing the specific details of the accomodation process, it all sounds Greek to you! LOL) but you can at least send me your good vibes and wishes for a viable solution. Or you can try voodoo on the owner for being so inconsistent and untrustworthy. Whichever suits you best...</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374344929493149378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvm_jhmdAGQFOGhyphenhyphen_IECnNgEaQoSw9mtkrEh-Bjs-Rx3Xz1j5CeRAgvuOl88yRL0z0mYHdut8Un3dky2AwzV7WvucyiUem2y_1KXPZoK4OjYQ3tgOQqEB86s7Nsg1PDWZVmqwOfQ7NEVF7/s320/voodoo-doll.jpg" /></div></div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-14059549677217177062009-08-06T09:12:00.001-07:002009-08-06T11:40:03.813-07:00Where have you been, young lady?????!!!!!I know, I know - I am a terrible blogger. I write less posts than Paris Hilton wears undies, so I get it if you don't want to hang out at my place any more.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><br /></div><div align="justify">To my defence, I haven't had an internet connection for several weeks. But honestly, that's not reason enough. Because I could have gone on a crusade and done whatever needed to be done, never stopping, never getting tired, until I found a way to post. My mom doesn't call me a stubborn mule for no reason. I could have done it... had I been focused.</div><div><br /></div><div align="justify">But alas, I were anything but focused. But hey, don't blame me and my wandering mind. Don't blame the hospital and the hard work, or the merciless sun, or the occassional fling either (for the record, there hasn't been any of the latter! :( ) My friends, if you need to blame somebody / something, blame the water.</div><div><br /></div><div align="justify">The crystal, refreshing, gorgeous water of the beaches of Mytilene. I have actually been more of a dolphin than a human for the last weeks. Ok, the glittering sand, the breathtaking landscapes, the fun company and the delicious cocktails served at beach bars rule also, but the water is something else.</div><div><br /></div><div align="justify">And to prove this to you, this is where I have been for the last weeks:<br /><br /></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div align="justify">1) <strong>Eresos</strong>: My favourite beach in the whole island (located a little over 1 1/2 hours from Mytilene). Several kilometers of white sand, crystal clean water, a laid-back atmosphere and friendly people are all it takes to feel at home. Seriously, Eresos is the most relaxing place in the whole world for me so far.</div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366918168891352354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw7OgSKDpUqIIAUv1c_5dIwQhsfFySK1QfE2OgnQUEAoLajcw1lmW4CEiU8T7v7ZaeI-1njoeiM78DioDdq-2HHD6u3Nk4mfIubsFB3ZPqE1E-5p0pPXiMoVq-qWG-E8twhLm3eiomJH8/s320/%CE%95%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BD%CE%B1+025.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366915634082660098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvpa5KG4NBATYsloWOM1k8hWUl5cokaV8ri8Xi9kzt0HvcWQEOcBQwSdktrdVvBNgA-9mRZaFOQpnb3VD_dg5d_-xQYaStjT6Iyb043vYxHA_st1ly2QkFfyWdevc_nwrQat40GTMpQHh/s320/%CE%95%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BD%CE%B1+029.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366913192121979842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqO35zkG7LJO2LX7DPLgafmlMrlSUpIfvQhquwooUQQl3RyYh5EtJ2ZamSsf4ZhPgFMAv2BA_evGiD-prUfFARqRuggvFILT3rbdItojUpMKYNbKKSRkAKYDrpkY9XOHEY0a6KS-QUt41S/s320/%CE%95%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BD%CE%B1+031.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366910911051550290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGKMGuNU40Mxd4_MScWY9osudrxieuAf8fCLUq1hTN8CdXMLW-DSVxU1NTy1pUEzAeRuPHcFvwjeTThfK2FCBlFJzFD74q7vGHz7W84P1V9b813Pu3QFa3SsAy72uVOs0UW_Xadi0EEkS/s320/%CE%95%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BD%CE%B1+032.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div>2) <strong>Agios Isidoros</strong>: Time for a dive in a "Blue Lagoon" scenery. The colours of the water are amazing, and the white pebbles are ideal for those who are not very fond of sand.</div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366909264645704514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStrLWNM1ugMRF888rchZkwRcPThOOAvx2jtJtCmpFIMl1UmvrTpZwfKlJHvYeaA2Y_FsmzQaNFgHYQtjdC6ZNpsZXqLN23iHZzUfr-TQiG8abj7ZJL3sryRCnD5ohyphenhyphenVz5AaNIg7aAHSr1/s320/31-07+002.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366907290639811906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiYaUqGa4uIJ1xwR58TVFQoROCT7KHOxwDoP9hmfLJuh7me8IvgCosPX0TUR1PRDOerQJn5SXKUN1dSIkj4bbI_MG_xCkmfVOLbKrmzp2GT0AxIfREed-K7H9f9mz1IEaCntVX-fMtugW/s320/31-07+003.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>3) <strong>Agios Ermogenis</strong>: If you want to find the best beach there is, while staying at a close proximity to Mytilene, look no futher. Once you enjoy the panoramic view of the beach, you will be hooked - one glance will be enough to fall in love with it! Also, the unique scenery with the pine trees virtually getting into the sea and the little white church up the hill will add to your infatuation. </div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366904786400899090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrUGt2vwo-lITPXL8Vv06MTCR9nXjna5cDUpFIp5LedihCjDT2bvs15CGJs8aFjEJ1R9vy2iXd9LkTQhHK0m5s6JNjtvbp2P9JnmVhiO_hX7T2iJ6IPeZdAOrd7Hs6Dr0tyyKPiSjImpw/s320/DSC00007.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366902095411779666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwBhXXc1pDClK6-H_lHJyNXY9c7BDwARaET0O54VlSJ4LkUlvsYUjk0TuMk-V-_l-pQ_eDHVCOaT2E5WbUID5W1irVOxEkDT7p0oS3qEgFWC97xvqHcoKGeEurEzyZU2hBx7l4q5sh18H/s320/DSC00008.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366901845770867346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_hT4os1ABlqGYub9MW_KCqRMLt_ODsaNxqsTyRPLEJOGVp_aKFuLGrc1neK08SrYwyKhwGyehBnWo3ljj9ULPm7_PMM9OPV3W_aTS4MHbNfcJYiqKfDJPUyWarj7ub7h0Bl1bHtI07wA/s320/DSC00010.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">4) <strong>Faneromeni:</strong> Not for the weak of heart. Located near Sigri, the westernmost part of the island, Faneromeni is rarely calm. Instead, it is windy, wild, deserted and non-organised. It almost makes you feel unwanted there. Unfortunately, most passionate love stories start with contempt and rejection - and before you realise it, you will keep coming back for more!</div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366900795709749874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBJsEdmleimDPbUzPhps-GjxqSCxmkhFmGTYOY0eV_u9QKUCyQCWLmK1jRr6Vdk-_Qk1fRDmLmuLVtEXOvflXZ129ohrO7Dq5DcpZJ3a7zhZQsJQAjwkeUR3AW5e0ioibv1CVBigiuzfq/s320/P7240009.JPG" /> </div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366899768220800514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1B1LbNwBMFVpFrZKJm1iBSe2ptWaz53HCzjPnPOhrRE5pOpQ2_HNAm8mN2C1hhRyzS0T3860uogtOn37fFvUO_P90zFuKM7fF_huYStog2O6V-ptoeTkZBeYrQTB9snoGia-90SqBPBDA/s320/P7240014.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">5) <strong>Anaxos:</strong> This is the best beach in the northern part of the island. Anaxos is a strange story indeed. While being organised, with umbrellas and water sports, family - oriented and surrounded by cafes and restaurants, the water is still crystal clean and manages to enchant beach snobs like myself. I don't know how it does it, but every time I go there, I greatly enjoy it.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366897580467529778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdyUzOu038vO_iGcjRdyWZ2jO7bVGdNzY11ccDW4_NS7Q8vr-6ked49ZVR0b3WB3Vdibp4UK7kI3WNhSV3b2aWAVI9Q0FUtont8ZKS1GD2wF0cDXepLRNYhpAE10DoPoRFkMoEQb7TYgP/s320/%CE%95%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BD%CE%B1+016.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366896553647327666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLnArlUvL35ZCO3cTUX1LAxmzo0pwdN_O2U4hYnMNN0Zg6BeH_QWzyxyt2Chb6OvrVY9RKoJAZI_sO6qTzmhu2LTN8GUy153tnCqgyEMUA6_sR1U2fz0_y9VmvYckNLLSvqxfWL57JMR4/s320/%CE%95%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BD%CE%B1+018.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">This is my top 5 of the beaches of Lesvos so far. But the list doesn't stop here. <strong>Charamida</strong>, <strong>Ksampelia</strong>, <strong>Vatera</strong>, <strong>Molyvos</strong>, <strong>Eftalou</strong>, <strong>Chroussos</strong> are all amazing beaches too. And the best part? I have many more to discover!<br /></div><br /><div><br /><div align="justify">So there, enjoy some pictures of the aforementioned beaches. I hope you like them, and they make up for the hiatus my blog is going through every now and then.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Or instead, you can hate me for making you jealous and decide to follow me never again. Oh, <a href="mailto:cr@p">cr@p</a>!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-38724978464321727332009-07-13T06:15:00.000-07:002009-07-13T08:39:39.225-07:00Late as always<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357959847155496418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gZSPOKlknxXRIhCCK9RgmUwZcUH24oxW-qNp2MDxLffW-WQbfPgi8gaLhUSbseAGpcf_1yO3crnZPyPA346zKnazdjFWZzckwoSHSnmDabMdUGBjTBT1siKtEF56Oh_GUQ9avp_Dt25J/s320/late!1231121575.gif" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">It definitely took me a while, but I haven't forgotten. My blog friends, LB from <a href="http://muddyrunner.blogspot.com/">Muddy Runner</a>, <a href="http://purplehoodiechick.blogspot.com/">PurpleHoodieChick</a>, <a href="http://tattoosandteethingrings.blogspot.com/">Tatoos and Teething Rings</a>, Chicago Mom from <a href="http://dinnertimechicago.blogspot.com/">What's for Dinner?</a> and <a href="http://5thsister.blogspot.com/">5th sister </a>gave me the Kreativ Blogger award. Thank you very much, guys - you rock! </div><div align="justify"><br /> </div><div align="justify">Oh, of course their blogs rock too, so be sure to check them out!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 139px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357935434734641586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjycR_R5OPDNhRljcg4p6btQNgbnD7YNhpXoeTOj9xhoStKCQN97UgjV2vT_68BTs5LwSSkGCC-UetUJYbrrv-L4A7uJQFq-TdM-ny_oXbzGICZVdiY1BNbMdmUoW8O5IqlqfSKXHTtO7/s320/blog_award.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">If you want to participate in this too, the rules are:</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award (and post a link)</div><br /><div align="justify">2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog</div><br /><div align="justify">3. Nominate 7 kreativ bloggers (and post links to their blogs)</div><br /><div align="justify">4. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated</div><br /><div align="justify">5. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Well, I am probably the last one to respond to this, (as always) and most of my blog buddies have already gotten this award, so I will nominate some new, interesting bloggers I discovered. I love following them, reading their posts and responding to them (ie I am an obsessive "stalker" as Kristina puts it), and I am eagerly waiting for more!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">So, the 7 kreativ bloggers are:</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">1. Fiona from <a href="http://livinginthelandofchocolate.blogspot.com/2009/07/small-town-snapshot-sunday-2.html">Living in the land of chocolate. </a>I love reading about her adventures in Switzerland, and her precious moments with her 2 little girls.<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">2. Patti from <a href="http://ping-dk.blogspot.com/">PiNG's Danish Adventures. </a>Whenever I am feeling blue and overwhelmed, I think of Patti, her amazing attitude and her great sense of humour, and feel better in an instant!<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">3. Extranjera from <a href="http://utterlyunpublishedauthor.blogspot.com/">What will I ever do with my life?</a> She has a wicked sense of humour and her posts are never too long or too tiring for me. I could literally wander in her blog for hours - and I bet I will finish her first book in less than 55 minutes!<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">4. Jen from <a href="http://utterlyunpublishedauthor.blogspot.com/">Buried with children.</a> Being a mother of triplets is anything but easy. Especially when </div><div align="justify">you add in a toddler too. Nevertheless, Jen manages to give a realistic, honest, and most importantly, FUN glimpse of motherhood, combining love and affection with commando skills. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">5. Bebe from <a href="http://thosecrazybeans.blogspot.com/2009/07/little-bragging.html">Those Crazy Beans</a> for her writing talent and wittiness. Seriously, whenever I read her eloquent posts, I think to myself "Brilliant! Why didn't <strong>I </strong>think of that?"<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">6. Karen from <a href="http://www.apeekatkarensworld.com/2009/07/hard-times.html">A peek at Karen's blog</a>. She succesfully juggles broad-spectrum blogging with real-life multitasking. Whenever something new happens, I am certain she will write at least one post about it.<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">7. And the latest addition to my Blogroll, Angela from <a href="http://appraisalmama.blogspot.com/">I'm So Not Ready For This</a>. She must be the less pretentious mama out there. Her life is not a fairy tale, but an adventure and a challenge. And she makes it happen, every single day.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Congratulations, people, and keep posting!</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">As for the 7 things about myself:</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">1) I have lived in 8 different towns in the past. As a result, the thought of moving a lot doesn't terrify me. In fact, I tend to get bored rather easily and, whenever an opportunity comes along, I am the first to grab a suitcase and just go. I'd love to settle down somewhere eventually, but I feel it's too early for that right now.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">(I am thinking of some "Germany" posts of mine suggesting otherwise, but I have now come to the conclusion that back then, the moving itself was not the thing that terrified me. Everything else was.) </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">2) I am a terrible driver. Not the speeding/reckless type, but more of the I-cannot-park-my-car-for-the-life-of-me type. I have no dimensions perception, and realising how much space is <em>really</em> available for me to park in is a pain in the maximus gluteus for me. Add to that the fact that I live in the city center, where parking space is an urban legend, and you can easily guess how many bumps my car has. Ouch! And yes, it's brand new. Double ouch!<br /><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 279px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357962397894707666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rejyRuxv-zyfX8w_vqHE69u9DGbOgfA-dhpLQK1k7oCRMFljCNN3GXLbnShnbnj4iVQSl5Ua-ioOfGfTlzH3ckhOc5zdyU2o2eW8Tun0KoXA-movvQXzR9ZxtJaOYXunh6mmIvGOjIaz/s320/mban529l.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="justify">3) I bite my nails like crazy. I know, I have told you before. But as a New Year's resolution, I gave up biting my <em>finger</em>nails. So, you can imagine where I have turned to now. Yes, I am a weirdo.</div><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357960061557635298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfrcynIq8Usi1cfet6tbk7FpgFiOc79-e2CJA2_CL7MBYIZ8fXtWi0RnPB-duZ1I4p1XWV23teJph0SM3if7IdZtRivPs5RIl5p6ccVElJxkDq6mficmQYsTyRgpqvwCyPe94uzCWrT3M/s320/6a00cdf39c8443cb8f0100a7f61af7000e-500pi.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">4) I have never gotten in a fight with my eyebrows. I don't use the little thingy to pull them off, I don't use a liner on them, nothing. I just let them be. Fortunately, they seem rather normal (or so people tell me).</div><br /><div align="justify"><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357961707531286194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUnd2ppLG8y1CtVIu7cXZF6T5XxLqHy2jyiZptMW8AvppKTnUzLCyeqQl9FJYhkD5zX6beH_LpEUdH6_16jE3DDUxHjv2B2ZGnRs5vMmnHNg5FH8y6rFaP4KeefP8pFzI4zFpLs1AtrRj/s320/1977312276_cf75638be3.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">5) I despise shoes (it gets weirder and weirder, right?) I understand that they are the most precious accessory for women, but honestly, if it was safe to walk barefoot all day, I most definitely would.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">6) Smell is my strongest sense. Every memory I have is associated with a particular smell. Also, I can spend hours in a perfume shop, trying everything, without getting hazy.</div><div align="justify"><br /> </div><div align="justify">7) I have a really high "disgust" threshold. That's why I always won the "Taste it if you dare" challenge as a kid. Oh, and I think you can guess who sat on the front row at the Anatomy lessons at Medical school. Non blinking, hoping to be the first one to hold the scalpel. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /> </div><div align="justify">That was all, folks - and I hope all this quirky info was not too much for you. And yet, my sister wonders why I find even diaper commercials moving - they make me cry like a baby. Well, I guess every person is a mix of different things, good and bad, sweet and disgusting, funny and unpleasant. All these make us "us". Unique, fascinating and intriguing. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">I dare you to come back.</div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-56405774073111719532009-07-09T06:33:00.000-07:002009-08-17T06:29:09.601-07:00A decision I am sure about (I guess...)<div align="justify">Dear friends, once again, thanks for your great comments and help. Not only have I decided, but I also made it official by submitting the paperwork - there's no turning back now.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">So... (deep breath) I guess I will stick around for some more months.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">The reactions? Well, my family is puzzled by this decision - it is so atypical for me not to rush into "safe" and "secure" things, that they are actually suspecting that I have been abducted by aliens and replaced by a weird clone! On the other hand, my co-workers are ecstatic by the fact that we will be sharing the work here. Last but not least, my former alter ego and future-I-have-no-clue-what is in Germany, ignorant about this whole situation.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">And me? What about me?</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">I am scared $hitless, and just hope I haven't messed up big time. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 197px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356473062969374098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSno1riSXIfw6iGnMkSuKArDgZIWZSev4hD-FIGbhxR1rG0ZaLLVk8jnA57uzI1KtV-Eiifn206X6OX6_ukisjvQhUpoAgwx9rOQ8XgfJlylSa7u7EWA2vYdj3NzA2fxguLuWCslM5d1k/s320/scared.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">But how did the impossible happened? How did I find the guts to turn down a 4-year job in the big city for 11 more months on an island that I almost didn't know that existed before I came here?</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">I thought this through, and found some great reasons to stay. First of all, I am not sure about the specialty I chose. I am not ready to abandon clinical medicine just yet. Don't get me wrong, there is no chance in hell that I will do anything else in Greece - from the little that I shared about the working conditions here, I guess you realise why I would never set foot in a Greek hospital (either as a doctor or as a patient!)</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">But I love travelling and exploring new places - and who knows? Maybe specialising abroad isn't as bad as I thought. As long as it is a decision <strong>I</strong> have made for myself, and not something that was forced upon me. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Also, I am still recovering from a break/breakup and a complete change of scenery and lifestyle. I am still learning to live alone, depending on myself only, and enjoying it. But I am not the "new me" just yet. Of course there are times when everything seems to be falling apart, and I am wondering if I have made any progress at all. I still have bad moments that could possibly lead to a meltdown. So I guess it's not time to move (again), meet new people (again), adapt to unknown working conditions (again) and settle down (actually for the first time in my life). </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">If I am gonna settle down, I wanna do it properly. I am only 24 years old, but I have already lived in 8 different towns. Me and my family are all about nomadic life, but if we were ever to stop moving, Athens would be the place where we would all be most likely to end up. So, I have the feeling that Athens will not be one more stop in my itinerary. It will most probably be my Ithaca. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">If this is the case, I want the <strong>new me </strong>to go to Athens and start building a life. Not the post-breakup-still-discovering-the-world-like-an-infant me. Right now, I want to know things, see things, experience things. After all, the obligation of working at a village remains. It will just be postponed for when I will be 30. But seeking security at 24 and adventure at 30 seems kinda weird. I think it should be the other way around.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Lastly, things are pretty great here. The working hours are flexible, the money is good, and the people I will be sharing my practice with are amazing. The practice itself is more equipped than most, there is a nurse (added bonus!) and the place is admittedly the most beautiful village of the entire island of Lesvos. Every single day of this summer will feel like a vacation (ok, too optimistic here!) and, when autumn comes, I will officially be the "village doctor". </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">I just can't wait to meet the people, one by one. Learn their names, their age and much more than their pressure or glucose level. Learn their personal story. Wake up in the middle of the night to comfort their pain or worry over nothing (hopefully). Take part in the local festivals, and become acquainted with their traditions and way of life.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">I realise that being an attending doctor at the age of 29 is cool. Actually, in a country where most 35 year olds are unemployed and still live with their parents, it is too great an achievement. It would make everyone in my family insanely proud.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">But being an attending doctor at the age of 30 is just as cool. And when it comes with the added bonus that I will have become my own person in the process, it is more than that.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">It is priceless.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">And it would make <em>me</em> more than proud. It could actually make me happy.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Note to self: All the times in the future that you wet your pants, trying to figure out what to do in an emergency with minimal equipment and no one else to turn to, read this post. All the times that old ladies interrupt your bestest dream in the world just because they are "lonely" and "are not feeling very well", read this post. All the times that an amazing play is performed in Athens, while you are stuck in the middle of nowhere, learning how to milk sheep and pretending to be enjoying it, read this post. All the times you just want to get on a plane, fly to Germany, crash on a certain somebody's couch and cry like a baby, just read this post.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356473374001611698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXnYwy2TQNZyMHkpKkt4X4zmJBPm10FDd8X4gU-fye_kph34diWVYXbxCth56loZHKm2akSIdvTOKnH9S9xtVOz9A_wCii_maocG1c2Dzm0nN5vCkuPjyrNQS-wwB6PWwsMGdw3Rb6ZcY/s320/Milking_Cartoon.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">No, it won't make you feel any better. But at least you'll know who to blame for the whole thing... </div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-82008517570413945052009-07-06T10:03:00.000-07:002009-08-17T06:28:32.004-07:00The dilemma<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqPi_iDI3jjVC82NNj0WkWkv3p1E9rQLRP-7JRvk_LnILuRFL3rc78E46b210mkvZyPe7tIyWZjhZskaKnDCrd9vF1zNQ6Nf9Xh-cmdIiJyyqnZ1GCRFGBWFk4EoGM-BoulwyC8BvJIYf/s1600-h/imgname--ethical_dilemmas---50226711--dilemma.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 215px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355401836363525282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqPi_iDI3jjVC82NNj0WkWkv3p1E9rQLRP-7JRvk_LnILuRFL3rc78E46b210mkvZyPe7tIyWZjhZskaKnDCrd9vF1zNQ6Nf9Xh-cmdIiJyyqnZ1GCRFGBWFk4EoGM-BoulwyC8BvJIYf/s320/imgname--ethical_dilemmas---50226711--dilemma.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Now that you know more about my job situation, it's time to present you with the awful dilemma that I am facing.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">When I came here, I was supposed to work for a year, and then move to Athens, to start specialising as a pathologist. Unexpectedly, due to other people declining the Athens job, my turn has come! I am now expected to resign, and go there within this month.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">If I fail to be present by the deadline I was given, I am immediately deleted from the waiting list. This sounds awful, doesn't it? But the thing is not as bad as it sounds. Actually, I can write my name again and wait until a new position is available. Due to the fact that residencies last for a specific amount of time and not even one day more, it is very easy and safe to estimate when the next employee will leave, thus leaving his place empty for me to fill. This is going to happen in July 2010.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">On the other hand, if I take the job offer in Athens, I am still obliged to work as an agricultural doctor for a year, after I finish my residency (after 5 years). The bad thing is that I cannot avoid this. The good thing is that, 6 1/2 years after my graduation, I will have gathered plenty of points and I will be able to get whichever place in Greece I will choose!</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">So, what do I do? Stay here in Mytilene, in surroundings that have become familiar by now, do my agricultural obligation, earn some good money without too much effort and avoid moving again (this will be my 4th move within this year)? The Athens job will not be lost - it will just have to wait for another year.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Or move to Athens, ensure my financial security for the next 5 years and then, with plenty of points gathered, do my agricultural duty? After all, laws here change all the time, and it may not even be obligatory to do so by that time.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">On one hand, we have Mytilene, its quiet way of life, the flexible working hours and the opportunity to postpone the binding decision of getting a specialty for a year. On the other hand, we have Athens, the security of having a job for 5 years, its hectic way of life, but also with possibilities that never end. Lastly, I should mention that my grandparents live in Athens. I will by no means live with them, but I guess they will be there for me if I need help in case of a possible breakdown (after all, I am still recovering from the winter events and the so called "break"/ actual breakup).</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">What would you do, my dear readers? Please help!</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">PS: There is one last thing I should mention. I wouldn't write about it at all, because I think that no serious job decision should be based on a "possibility". Facts are facts. However, if I am going to describe the whole situation to you, I should tell you that there is a chance of having something here in Mytilene, emotionally speaking. Things are quite unstable right now, and I am still adapting to the "single" life and getting over things - so one cannot possibly tell how I will react in case a harmless flirting becomes something more. I may not even be ready for this yet - let alone take it into account when deciding what to do! But for the sake of full disclosure, I thought I should mention it too.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Thanks for your insightful comments and helpful input - in advance. </div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-86806191034207587642009-07-05T10:40:00.000-07:002009-08-17T06:28:03.632-07:00What the heck should I do?<div align="justify">It has been a nice, relaxed Sunday so far, and I am now blogging while listening to Jason Mraz's amazing cd. The easy thing to do would be to write about random things, bitch about work, or show you some glimpses of Mytilene and the amazing places that I am discovering day by day. But the question remains, and something tells me I shouldn't avoid it any more - what the heck should I do?</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355047836874338194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wR82whvKmv05eBLh80GsX5nQmB-MPXNm6-LEGMr2rLtPAj1v7xFr1GrAY5YO9N-UVLXLk71-Qv1mppTR-OzKJTfOCc2ldl1PQHduWAw041VU-E7hrHUR8suIbiGiYsittlwuB2g542zh/s320/Drake%2520Dilemma.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">But before I present you with the dilemma, I should first explain why I am in Mytilene and what brought me here.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">It has been a hard winter for me, as you may have already realised <a href="http://dash-of-life.blogspot.com/2009/05/change-is-it-good-or-very-good.html">here</a>. Upon graduating, I wrote my name on the <strong>NOTORIOUS</strong> waiting list, in order to start a residency <em>some day</em>. That means that I have chosen a medical specialty, and for five years I will work in my hospital of choice as a trainee (or a slave - it depends on how you choose to see it!) . After that, I will be a licensed *whatever-ist* and I will be free to either open up my own practice, or continue to work as an attending doctor in a hospital (and torture other poor interns in turn!)</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">The specialty I chose was Pathology.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Now, my dear readers, I know this choice might come as a shock. After all, I may seem weird at times, but THAT weird? Well... to be honest... <em>yes</em>. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">But how did I transform from this</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 315px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355051045580529026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEUcmzRJWgMXk45MMQ6EqofNR0gTMQhklmumjgWkRBw7QUBpATUXrb13-teP8MzMizf7MTPt2_Fsckf3CryJSyZ9POqwu-hYeTRFTFDlx7r45VF0qHaSN0KpcPpg-ZJvFNVFxlQ8oGBZy/s320/t_cute_girl_out.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="justify">to this?</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 315px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355050288202091394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUaN_QhdISBc7-_6nA6v7t9Nmvs38DcV6m4N7kSQTlxnvG9HeLxK_OMNjQjRooKHxHh9NvTPEGJ3udRF0iw_1q23FeldntNTfdAqJWYWvsUbeudCm1zdaZhCgzx5AJG7kiIE5vYGCSaJo/s320/mad_doctor_03_21_05.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Don't get me wrong, I actually love people. Alive and kicking, breathing, warm people, who have all their organs in place. But discovering what went wrong with some patients, first-hand, while treating them with the utmost respect and responsibility, also fascinates me. And this specialty doesn't have to do with the deceased only. Pathologists also get to examine biopsies (from suspicious masses, for example) and determine if they are malignant or benign, agressive or not, so that the fellow oncologists will know what course to follow. Unlike other specialties, which involve a lot of speculation, in Pathology, the truth is out there, in front of you. You just have to use your eyes and your hands to see it. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">But my choice of specialty was not based on the subject only. First of all, there was minimal waiting time, in order to start - 1 1/2 year, while for Endocrinology, for example, 10 years were necessary. And while I may have Greek parents that are willing to support me for as long as it is necessary, I also know that I need to rely on myself at some point. Furthermore, as a Pathologist, I will have flexible working hours. And while work itself does not scare me, the thought of not having a family, because I will be too busy to be there for them, really gives me the creeps.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">So... a Pathologist. Starting spring 2010. But until then, what?</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Nothing - I thought as I was slowly sinking in misery. And suddenly, things started to look up. A job opportunity in Mytilene came, and I took it.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">But what is this job? </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Well, in Greece, there are hospitals in big towns, but in small villages, there are public practices, staffed with either already licensed general practitioners (the big ones), or medical graduates, known as "agricultural doctors" (in villages where less than 1,000 people reside). These practices are tiny, and not heavily equipped, but their doctors can meet basic needs - such as measuring blood pressure, or prescribing medicine, when people run out. If the patient's problem is too serious, he/she is immediately transferred to the hospital, of course. But for elderly people, living away from big urban centers and being unable to move easily, these doctors are actually a big help and relief. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355051510256449266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UI3nRybyxOg61sztx2EEcB3PIvHQ21YcPLT_xej1KvX6lIS1vyvlYpOSXVpPHKgFdRbT2rw8UEbURHE8w1Qxd5abuyqt5BuVOmQ8GKVhsQMM6FPxJ1WeKGM_PxvApcV2ltvcO93p0Qfw/s320/354185-001.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Agricultural doctors are employed for a year (and then another comes), and basically you have to be extra lucky to get a place. You apply for two villages anywhere in Greece and then, for each place, whoever has the more "points" gets it. Points are determined according to waiting time after graduation - for every 2 months that pass after you have graduated, you get 1. As a result, students who are unemployed for the most time after graduating, have more points and then get the much-wanted place. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Me, only a few months after graduation, I had 4 points. They were ridiculously inadequate, so I had to make a wild guess - apply for a remote place, one that nobody would think of choosing. I thought of faraway Mytilene, and I was lucky: I got the place!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">So I came here, knowing nothing about the island and way of life, and I am now training at the hospital for 3 months. After that, I will move to the village and be the "village's doctor"! Luckily, the island is beautiful, the people are amazing and most importantly, the place does not "hibernate" during the winter - with 90,000 people residing on it, things are pretty lively even in January.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">But, as wise people say, when it rains, it pours. And just when I was getting settled and used to my new everyday life, I'll maybe have to leave again. This is the dilemma I am facing right now, and I need all the help I can get to decide.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">After realising that this post is too long (as usual), I will write the specifics tomorrow. Until then, have a fun Sunday night and a wonderful Monday morning, everybody! </div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-13470568484077699602009-06-23T07:34:00.000-07:002009-06-25T07:25:21.491-07:00Give me a break!<div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">After a series of posts regarding the true joy of practicing the medical profession in Greece, I guess it is time for a short break. Of course, my description of the ideal circumstances in which doctors work every single day will continue, but for now, enough is enough. (At this point, I realised I sound a lot like <a href="http://apeekatkarensworld.blogspot.com/2009/06/not-me-monday-girls-night-out.html">Karen's Not me!</a> posts, so I'll give it up and start being literal). Anyway, a big part of my everyday life is the amazing island of Lesvos, and it's a shame I haven't got a chance to talk about it yet.<br /></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">As I have written before, Lesvos is the 3rd biggest island of Greece. It is part of the North Aegean district (sometimes referred to as North-Eastern Aegean district) and it is really close to Turkey. Its capital city is Mytilene (that's where I'm living right now), and its population is estimated at 30,000 people.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350561836761062226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbU-uXh9qnlig7I1CEXih_UIKS7G9bXUr3_snIrvzdo81wTQvBl4z1A_7z3N0_fA33EPQ-SVLII99xrdtsUyfkqDsgGyfCmHuBng62ct0o4i2P7FWmKdH79sWuU1x831YV0kQPetU-mgrR/s320/Map_of_Greece_LESVOS.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">But because Mytilene definitely deserves a post or two of its own, and I still haven't gotten to photograph all its beauties, today I will write about a place I visited on Sunday - the village Mantamados and its legendary Taxiarhes Monastery.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Now, I am by no means a religious person. However, I sometimes like to visit different places of worship, and get to feel the atmosphere. Most of them are peaceful and relaxing, others are imposing and awe-inspiring.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Mantamados is a small village on the northern part of the island, 37 kms off Mytilene. It is traditional and picturesque. Its cobbled streets and its well-preserved stone houses make you feel like you have travelled back in time. Its inhabitants are either craftsmen, well-known for their pottery skills, or farmers, producing the famous Mantamados yoghurt. </div><br /><br /><br /><p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 163px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350565122565246898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSf2-b-8yJtLDQ6fv7P08aEKlKoDLzsLa-B5GzJZyz4VFU3_8VZQvk7v2E4vppSrrUvHiNN_ji4M3jXEskk5CAgMf8hJTcCOw-Fq3g5ZAzRcVq8H5ErW8EkrNenPO1n090SjZiEBfQfQFB/s320/LE-MANTAMADOS.jpg" /><br /></p><div align="justify">But the area is better known for the Taxiarhes Monastery. A miraculous icon of Taxiarhis, patron Saint of the entire island, is kept there, and people from all over the world travel to the site, to see and worship it.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Before we continue, a quick introduction to Orthodox religion. I am not sure what Catholics do (please be so kind to fill me in on this matter), but the Orthodox draw pictures, known as hagiographies, of Jesus Christ, Holly Mary and their Saints. Every church has its own and, as each temple is dedicated to a Saint, icons of that particular Saint mostly prevail. When the Orthodox go to church, they usually kneel before an icon, pray in front of it, or simply do the cross sign and then kiss it. I fail to describe it properly and it may all sound a bit weird. The main idea is that, through the picture, you communicate with the Saint depicted on it, and ask for his/her forgiveness, help, etc. These icons are considered to be holly items, and in some circumstances, they are even believed to perform miracles.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Of course, I get that you may be skeptical to all this. It's ok, I am too. Every now and then, icons are supposed to "bleed", or "shed tears", "heal" or "appear at unexpected places". Most of these "miracles" end up to be scams. But whether miracles trully take place is not really the point of this post. The point is, all of them are sacred to believers, and thousands of people come to see them for themselves every year. And the icon of Taxiarhis in particular is not only famous, but also unique.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Why? Because, unlike every other Orthodox icon there is, this one is not painted. Instead, it is carved. Normally, the Orthodox religion wouldn't allow that. But due to the fact that the icon is considered to be miraculous, and there is a great story about how it was made, it has been preserved through the years.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Before I tell you that story, I have to point out that Taxiarhis, or Michael, often depicted carrying a sword and wearing metal shoes, is one of the three Angels bearing the message of God (also known as Archangels). The other two are Gabriel, the one that presented in front of Mary to announce that She would give birth to Jesus Christ, and Raphael. All three of them are celebrated on November 8th, when it is a public holiday here in Lesvos. A grand parade is held in the centre of Mytilene, while churches that are dedicated to these 3 Saints celebrate and organise fairs for the pilgrims.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351264647751883138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIAp0TDlPma4zDGqqcf_5pioCUvn_eKLf03H9lgf2_rXDCznxW7up4tOyjygcVi8BEPq97JBbJn8WV0cbi0otOsj1j1O3Agl5hKMnimUqujrkstSVkm0BS0pYdhvWfV-fenqTGVNo4cut/s320/L781.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">So, our story begins between the 9th and 10th century AC, when Muslim pirates often came to this island, to attack, burn, destroy and slaughter. At that time, the fortress - like Taxiarhes monastery was dedicated to the Archangels and was famous for its greatness and wealth. What a better target for the pirates then, right? So, one night, they used ropes to climb over the walls, surprised the monks during Mass, and slaughtered them all with their swords.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351260012878568754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjy-tUKQR1cCGOlKB_voKWKTMMg-LlA4X-tIkpqMJ3zodkNlkVetk0YPAeNhsIWMQuX67A9zDsH-pfc8wCnIwrw_e0Ar1zBVZLvtLcWxdTmf8-6OmbnFm6pwoZd2KxIgq62VpUFh6fzMG/s320/%CE%95%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BD%CE%B1+003.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">All but one, in fact. Because a 17-year old trainee, young Gabriel, managed to escape through the window and climbed the roof, trying to get away. Unfortunately, after taking all the monastery's property, the pirates saw him, and tried to capture him. After all, they didn't want to leave any witnesses behind, as young Gabriel could alarm the inhabitants of nearby villages of the presence of pirates. The villagers, in turn, could block the pirates' way to the sea and fight them. As you see, it was necessary that nobody was left alive.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">But as the pirates approached Gabriel with the swords drawn, a miracle is believed to have taken place. The roof suddenly transformed into a windy sea, and in the middle rose Taxiarhis, mighty and furious, his sword in hand, ready to attack.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Having seen him, naturally the pirates panicked and fled to the sea, while leaving all their loot behind. The monastery was saved. But wait, there's more to it: The next day, all of the pirates were found dead at the shore, killed with a great stab wound, starting from the forehead and ending at the belly button. And as no man could have been so powerful to inflict such a blow, Taxiarhis was thought to have caused it with his sword.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">When Gabriel realised that he was safe, he returned to the monastery to help the other monks. But when he saw all of them dead, a divine inspiration came upon him: He collected their blood, mixed it with clay, and, out of great awe and gratitude, tried to create an icon of the Saint, recreating the shape he saw on the roof. Unfortunately, the clay was not enough to make the Saint's whole body - and that's why his head is disproportionately large, compared to the rest of it.</div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 204px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350562303988817330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1cKZPxOfU6rUMQLLpEGaWqGXO6hP_0EbUlBygYc624i2723EMVXJD1rq3KufEN2WjHtc_IUKhaYYwOKD4AKZwQTsTjFSWiKH4EOEGarlrjv52QgE6DGVCAnh4wsU5Ju8a-PXNLpoHVIO/s320/Mantamados-Monast_-Taksiarx.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">So that is the story of Taxiarhis, protector of the Monastery and the whole island. And no matter if you believe in all this or not, this place is a must-see if you're ever visiting Lesvos. Because there, in an opening surrounded by olive groves and a pine forest, you may come in touch with your true self and spirituality. And feel like a tiny particle of the universe, but unique and important at the same time too.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><p></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351259247453567554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02qi7iluzQQn7rMElCkrAQ87zehsRsLVb2agyt1tLBlvHOfv8NIW3jzNw_AkjTlfLbl4kQfWh6h24R0fkjomR1eQx_vbq02IR6UUS_RYnEKQc9DNOcPeBrCjQwui3j91cIMefnGvRx_Wq/s320/%CE%95%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BD%CE%B1+002.jpg" /><br /></p><br /><br /><div align="justify">After going to the Monastery, we visited another village, Skala Sykamnias, and had lunch at a Greek tavern by the sea. And there, eating grilled sardines, octopus, traditional grilled cheese "ladotyri", drinking the trademark ouzo (well, I opted for wine, but still), while watching the Turkish coast at the horizon, I realised, once again, that I live in a beautiful country. It's not obvious all the time, but it's nice to feel it every now and then.</div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351260689833253650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPyxx-ks78z_LdRzdBdnkynYGLhPCpU3yNz3pWe-Sw-DAmL8K0tPOKCEQcLWs35f9kIU-yB4l5Qm5-82QsVR2lEZsGBBUwpyV1zj1TW_KI0unS4mdzzkU3BGExnANv-fsDC74A8j7OyDc/s320/%CE%95%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BD%CE%B1+004.jpg" /> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351261558068042562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjguhou7uO-mSNQYXlEcm5q2oZ2pBGQz3pb9SoOVP1MkN6O_Brl9kOcQN7Zy-B0jHqBi92tKlRy3lAlCwwBLfmmWyTXPlSYl4Y9lxP996SOQp3uKI0F7Ubr29DXsDO-2yrUPrV_qfN19LA/s320/%CE%95%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BD%CE%B1+005.jpg" /><br /></p><p><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351262675198206402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5eTgrPJiPG1O8PqM4HOqa4lxcDxo_J9XO8_-8L6dVgi_hvyxItaPHLuvY5bbVc1J4ytn3BkLkmi_3mMvSWrk3Vq20Xa68iCm1J8-fo8WSlbyLlt67KJNyb6LYr17zOa5cBjWixOHFMo1/s320/%CE%95%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BD%CE%B1+008.jpg" /><br /><br /></p><div align="justify">All in all, it was a great day... </div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-36754039763321521262009-06-16T06:05:00.000-07:002009-08-17T06:26:57.508-07:00The craziness continues...<div align="justify">My last post about the flaws of the Greek healthcare system led to unexpected comments and conclusions: That public healthcare really sucks, and that the American system had better remain unchanged.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Don't get me wrong, I am by no means familiar with the American system (I've heard and read a lot, but didn't experience it myself), so I am not the one to say if it should be changed and how. But, at least as far as my own country is concerned, I am and have always been an avid supporter of public healthcare. Maybe in a future post we'll discuss about how this could work and benefit both patients and hospital employees. It may seem unreal and idealistic, but I think it could be done - if only someone was really willing to change the current horrible situation.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">But before we talk about changes, it is important to describe what is really happening right now. So, our journey to The Twilight Zone featuring Greek hospitals continues...</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>If you think that winning the lottery is impossible, try finding a nurse in the Emergency department.</strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">This is the second time I am writing about nurses, and taking in mind that the first time I was disagreeing with the fact that doctors and nurses are paid the same, while they don't work for the same hours and don't share the same responsibilities, you have every right to be suspicious of me. Maybe, like most doctors, I am suffering from "superiority/God complex", shunning nurses and flattering myself that I am much, much better.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 217px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347923940063545234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjCKcLR7JwzNzGpc6gIRqGk_N-PxGRCoadEejfeuKPlKRDjBPASl-rzjOnp_ZPSU8zwBueYS0RY4Ix5kX_S8wpOGFO7H0QALlU6FIR9BZAxmPzJAsDAznVYEffd-WsK966lITEwM9u3ew/s320/dpan1391l.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Uh, I don't think so. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Because, let's face it - I am not. After all, I am just a clumsy Medical school graduate, still shaking when stitching (alert: This is NOT pleasant to watch - let alone experience!), almost pooping myself when an emergency comes in and I am alone in the room, even for a few minutes, while having no clue about most of the questions patients ask ("Will I get better?", "Is it too bad to eat half a roast lamb while suffering from gastric ulcer?", "Will the guys from Lost ever get out of this f-ing island for good?" - no sorry, the last one is a question <strong>I</strong> ask myself all the time, and not the patients!)</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347925006963158802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_tcoXr_lCQhjxanU_CC_6A9wFyHYT0TmG12e2y3hyy1yLXtScn7MzvsVwQIuSOtg5rD9rxU0BZyZVHVmlM6phjq3B9YZ4WD4Sqd0r7ZLKZl5WMELHaHiEOdcPR7LOUhzY11YsWhTUjCO/s320/mban1260l.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="justify">So yeah, I am not better, and I know it. The nurses know it. The whole hospital knows it. But it's ok. Because I'm not <strong>supposed</strong> to know everything right away. But please, dear nurse looking at me with a scornful look, help me. Teach me. Don't scowl at me in front of the (terrified) patient. And most importantly, don't leave me alone when I need you the most.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347925801626307474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJE30XgXOfWpCvBKfY1-8ArbMo3J5gP1sZzHrmrIlmFRVh5p3-PIbuJkYOkJGKFgG1iDOC0pDooTnnfKrh-acgMdat0vapLYa-Pve-rCW0CUhWpNfXpIQa6KXxz1g4SZJcRkypsvRFDSDT/s320/nursecartoon4.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify">For some weird reason, becoming a doctor in Greece is much too popular than becoming a nurse. As a result, for every 5 doctors that beg for a job, there is only one nurse, who is always in high demand. And also for some curious reason, there are never enough nurses in the Greek hospitals. So, in order to deal with that, we have come up with the model of "<strong>Beaming-up-Nurse 3000"</strong>, a special-patented nurse that manages to move from one clinic to another in seconds.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Or at least, she is supposed to. Because the nurses working in hospitals, compared to those that are actually needed to meet the needs, are much much less. As a result, the same nurse is supposed to cover the surgical department, while performing patch tests at the dermatology clinic, and measuring glucose levels in diabetic patients. All these cannot possibly be done at the same time.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">The result? Huge lines of patients complaining about the long wait, doctors carrying samples to the labs, because there is no one else to take them down there, patients' relatives making the patients' beds and carrying them to the X-ray department themselves, students left alone to deal with life-threatening situations simply because there is no one else at the ER at that moment. It is CRAZY in there!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347927270169260706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_SRkH2RyxY7PSj78FI8Z6wupcbkXnc6Yi1Hg2y5XFfhrBfdvd3CkaXDOxAtQaozzl5kc-meL-s7wilVwJ7BN4xF8i3dJF2rRD4qQwCODc2BWkmH-R5zpE4YhvT7BQaLmZIt2Pz7cPdgj/s320/emergency-room-crowded.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">So no, I don't hate nurses. In fact, I love them dearly. So much, that I would like to have as many of them as possible. Please god, give me nurses. Because a good nurse can always save the day (and my own a$$ as well)...</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347927915900036866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dum1hJ7U2AOM1Oa1vm0W_fvLj7DX1vdNZusqCuC84-_QJkjpSro9rvkVMFl2Qk-1tzPJYO06szbuSs-cmqige_Mkjao8tjxcNh4lj9IpUlbebttzbnOnkgkdpD3j-3BJVqnou06M77i_/s320/behind_every_good_doctor_is_a_great_nurse_keychain-p146065659349711248qjfk_400.jpg" /></div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-45322705061597790662009-06-09T11:39:00.002-07:002009-08-17T06:26:02.005-07:00I blame it all on George Clooney<p align="justify"></p>My last post was going to be about Medicine and Med school, but "Greek parents" appeared out of nowhere and monopolised the conversation - after all, it was to be expected. Hopefully, this time there won't be any more surprises. We'll see...<br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">As I wrote last time, I chose to be a doctor pretty much because I was an ER fanatic (and of course I mean the tv show, not the actual Emergency Room!). I was so carried away by the stories, that I ended up believing that real - life doctors would be like this:</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345425698794394194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObUSDloAVi-P7iby0ZX-bbMU4m5xuHtXjzluyC9zJajjyPDPzqfJjtia3ACgrQc2Xe8JdBBm3a-Cg1U-WH5RHd2142ytIN_PzwOnXaW8Q9HYDPaZabIJeB-jBzFzxfI3mP9ExKXphjXUe/s320/george_clooney.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Instead, I was terrified to discover that they actually look like this:</div><br /><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345426263276434082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JQZ0bqg7U_ToOjwehGKs5KKIpoa0fVrxFsX10hFq7tgui5EVq3tMqvIRbKFcbDMPG_-qj0CCRP-hS3no6IwfSdNHUFV_sqfBTmgZVTk3xEkwlzY3Rxrx0IxESWiQqC_iARwMV3-Ag-aS/s320/golum.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">So I will some inside info today - dirty things that I didn't know when I applied for Med school. Had I known them, maybe I would have chosen a different profession altogether. Or at least I would have gotten a second job, trying to save money for therapy sessions, right from the start!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">This post is not meant to be funny. Some of the things that I will describe are actually tragic. Any similarity to real facts or people is NOT a coincidence. So if you are easily upset and don't want to end up avoiding all hospitals and doctors just because you don't trust them anymore, please don't read any further. Oh, and if you choose to think that these things only happen in Greece because in reality it is a third - world country, feel free to do so. Whatever helps you sleep at night...</div><br /><br /><p></p><div align="justify"><strong>1) Taking the Hippocrates oath to heart</strong> <strong>(as long as my heart is where my wallet is)</strong></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">The first thing you swear to do as a doctor, is to provide your help without asking for a reward. This is pretty cool, but doctors are people too, and they too need to eat, have a safe place to spend the night, and generally meet their biological needs - so they need to get paid for their work. The real problem arises when having a 197-inch plasma screen is considered a biological need, and the fact that you definitely have to get one forces the patient out of his own place!</div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 257px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345429072320650354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL15LhIeeX4A1CgkuxWppn-MB7z-zJd9otUGFkDbEfsW0RW1NL4x4z7OpKp-3AH2aL8uKU7wDKoJfhwghC-mnEaMI-wqa7ka2t3JeQt7bLofF-KefrgSTa44CmF6XEB_PsqLU9H6I22PHc/s320/cartoons.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">In Greece, healthcare is public. This means that hospital care is provided for free, as long as your are<em> insured</em>. Fear not of the mighty term "insured", my friends. In Greece it is very easy to get insurance, and it covers pretty much everything. So basically, hospitals are open for everybody, free of charge.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">In theory, at least. Because in the hypothetical case you need an operation, for example, doctors' implications become quite nasty: "There is a great waiting list", and "your operation should take place after 3 months or so and not earlier", and "it is a fairly difficult procedure that needs the utmost care and dedication from the physician", and so on.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">If you fail to take a hint, you are likely to be banished to the worst room, with a broken bed or something, while the medical staff weirdly doesn't notice you very much, and your operation somehow takes forever to schedule. Unless you manage to produce some pocket money, say 500 or 1,000 dollars to the physician in charge. Not out in the open, of course. You need to be discreet, put them in an envelope, and carefully slide them into the doctor's pocket.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">If you perform this trick, you almost instantly get an upgrade, the staff becomes very tentative of you, and your operation is due for the very next day. All goes well in the end, you recover quickly and go home, satisfied with the excellent medical care you received. It is a win - win situation.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">The problem? You spent 1,000 dollars to get medical care that is supposed to be provided <strong>for free! </strong></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">And this, my friends, is the number one pain in the booty in the Greek medical system. "The envelope situation". Money you are not obliged to give, but you give anyway. Money that is not taxed, and just fill the attending doctor's pocket. Money you may not even have - and what happens then, if you are in desperate need of an operation?</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Please don't tell me that in the USA a tonsilectomy, for example, would cost far more money than only 1,000 dollars, so we should be happy for not paying as much. The problem is that you cannot have <strong>public</strong> and<strong> free</strong> healthcare and then demand "black" money from the patients! It is illegal to do so, and yet, most doctors do it and nobody EVER gets prosecuted! It is a secret that everybody knows, and nobody takes action against. It is a practice that encourages corruption and exploitation of the patients. THIS makes us a third - world country, and not one less metro station, or one less overpriced stadium.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong>But, to be absolutely fair, this is the opposite opinion...</strong></div><div align="justify"></div><p align="justify">Greek doctors are the worst paid doctors in Europe. Not only is it painfully difficult to find a job here (I described the situation with the waiting lists and the fact that you may need to wait for 10 years from the moment you graduate, until you start your residency in an earlier post), but the salary is a joke. We get paid 2,000 dollars per month - approximately 25,000 dollars per year. Our salary is the same as the nurses', school teachers', and even civil cervants' working in the tax department. By no means do I mean that we are better than all these people. It's just that our work hours are incredibly more. </p><br /><div align="justify">While I am on call, 5 different shifts of nurses come and go. That means that I work as much as 5 different nurses, (starting on Monday morning, for example, and going home on Tuesday afternoon) and somehow I am paid the same as each one of them! And I don't even need to stress the fact that our time of studies is not the same, and our accountability in case something goes wrong is anything but similar.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">What's more disturbing, is that the government fails to pay us even this small salary in time. All through 2008, doctors in Greece went on strike, because the extra money they legally deserved for being on-call and working overtime wasn't given. According to European Union laws, it is now obligatory to work only 4 days overtime per month. This is what you are paid for. Unfortunately, there are not enough doctors in the hospital to meet the patients' needs, and if each one of us worked overtime only 4 days per month, the emergency department would be empty and unstaffed! </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">So what are the idiotic doctors forced to do? Work <strong>10</strong> days per month overtime (or else patients would need a bounty hunter to search for a doctor at weekends, for example), and get paid for <strong>4</strong>! What kind of country does that to its citizens? Isn't slavery supposed to have been abolished centuries ago?</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">This horrible situation is the excuse many doctors give for getting the notorious "envelope money". But this excuse is a lame one, in my opinion. I agree that we are underpaid, and in many cases, non-paid. I agree that the government treats us like fools. I agree that we have worked our @sses off and don't deserve this situation.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">But exploiting patients is not the answer. We took an oath, remember? An oath to help them, as much as possible, no matter what. We are the victims in this, but victimising patients too is not the solution. We should fight for more. We should ask for more. But we are turning to the wrong people to ask for money.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 186px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345431300884298850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDldivh02NRW6_UA11xswQFnV0-G1jPlgxYFT0ZzNW3Q2dvPbNaogGzR54wnjHVatVhNVZLnbatS35nId4v1K6Uwfs-kRJqmhxe7iB19VliAHjbpWAnpHsC8Qnel30mlQPpU6j0HBvXok/s320/untitled.bmp" /><br /><br /><div align="justify">That's it for now. Hit me with your comments and tranquilizers, people! And imagine this - we are still on #1! A long way to go... </div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-53220113831098411532009-06-08T11:17:00.000-07:002009-08-17T06:25:21.511-07:00The vampire country<div align="justify">As many of you now, I am now living on the island of Mytilene, working (?) as a general practitioner. It is an exciting experience, and I will come back with photos of the beautiful island and my everyday life as soon as possible. But today's post is about how I ended up on this island of Northern Aegean Sea, just a few miles west of Turkey.<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">But before we start, here is a picture of Mytilene's port. There are many more amazing photos to show you, so be patient until my next posts.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345028434764878834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5zNjbj2HuRM7U1qKfQm6xVLvjG899j5qpXbLbV0A2fYBHr273DZAimpOhjERrZeiuoTs43IhBOOTjYGi3UXYCSjkLEfss8cgtzcNBgJVS06Pb_gdcalfDyVHVLyazjAM-EOTo8Iy6wsh/s320/untitled.bmp" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">And here is Mytilene on the map of Greece. For the record, I had been living on Crete before, which is the biggest island of Greece, located on its southernmost end.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345046844304980514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhela4Qp0hpWJ3YYv_eRzhGKxPNx_M8YiWS9iFQHaoYrqamc1VjB_t5UTiW044pnR9poZHJfcv9dPkm9ranEkkh60nH-n4WyuGuS9hUeVfWaHjG6Am_4T4v9b-L5RWU_sFcSyydhwRV4qnF/s320/Map_of_Greece_LESVOS.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">I wouldn't be here, if I hadn't chosen to become a doctor. And I wouldn't have chosen to become a doctor, if I weren't completely nuts. And naive. And with no sense of self - preservation whatsoever.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">When I was little, I used to watch ER on tv. I couldn't get enough of the brave, self sacrifising doctors, who managed to save lives and look extra cute at the same time! No matter the time, or the extreme circumstances, they fought to do good. The adrenaline was intoxicating, and the sense of accomplishment was hypnotizing.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Unfortunately for me, I relied too much on tv, and didn't have any doctors in my family to wake me up and introduce me to reality. So, while I was studying Ancient History, Ancient Greek, Latin and Literature, (and not having a clue in Math, Biology, Physics and Chemistry that are essential for Med School), I applied for the latter. It was more of a joke, actually. I was going to become a Literature teacher, like my parents, and didn't stand a single chance to be accepted. Well, wrong... </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">So, I entered Med school, wanting to learn new and exciting things, in order to help people and take away as much pain and suffering as possible. And then, I had to wake up.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345048927879403602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszZBOv_lbg4XAHkxQXHd6tpKc1R9jtcVC8dR8p0DxyyA8LlLNTWhWR47YD4P9qpDFUxsvjzagzELboMKf258w_0zSyk9AovUp_VM0NfblY8WivQnLaRqp2ALed6j4D9UlEXl1lb9DsFOO/s320/Doctors_thinking_600.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Before I continue, it is important to explain a bit about universities in Greece. In my country, it is obligatory to attend school for 9 years (starting at the age of 6). You can then choose to go to a technical school and learn a craft, or continue to high school for another 3 years. At the age of 18, you take exams. These exams are the same for every Greek student. The subjects are the same, the questions are identical, and they all start at the same date and time. So basically, you compete with every other Greek student all over the country simultaneously. Once you get your grades, you are free to apply to any school you like. The school will accept a given number of candidates, depending on their grades only, from highest to lowest. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Example: If you apply for Med school and your University of choice admits 50 students per year, you have to be in the top 50 students that applied for the same position at the same time to be accepted. Even if you have done extraordinarily, you won't get accepted if 50 students did better than you. On the contrary, you may have had a few misses, but if everyone else did as well, it won't matter. As long as you are in the top 50 / 100 / 150, depending on the number of students the school accepts, you are ok. So having good grades alone doesn't matter. The whole idea is the competition - where others stand and where you stand. And it is a matter of supply and demand. Getting into a much wanted school is a whole lot more difficult than getting to one few people apply to.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Anyway, it is difficult to get into university (and it costs a lot of money, since all kids pay for private education in the afternoon <strong>along with</strong> public education that is offered for free at schools in the mornings). But once you get there, a different era begins. The era of enjoying yourself and simply doing nothing. Because university education is public in Greece - that means you don't pay a thing for your studies. There are no teaching fees and no book fees. Also, there is no limit to the years you can study. You can fail in the same course zillions of times, and it's ok. You can be 35 and still studying after 20 years - nobody tells you anything, and of course nobody throws you out of school. But what makes student life amazing, is the concept of "Greek parents".</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">You may have heard about this rare species, watched it on National Geographic documentaries, or laughed at it watching "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" on tv. Oh, "Greek parents" are strange creatures indeed, and they deserve a little analyzing. Their whole existence is based on the concept that children don't grow up. The years may pass by, but their babies remain babies. Like vampires or something, time does not touch them.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">So, no matter if they are 10, 20 or 40, you still have to fuss about them eating their dinner, dressing in a certain way, and playing / going out / getting married to people you like and approve of. And of course, they never ever go away. In the most extreme circumstances, they may move to a house that is right next to their parents'. But even then, having a spare key and being able to come and go to your children's house as you please is a given.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345051774336191906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAwAT2BWf5o8ZiIbLCNK_-6bR-QGrrRlHh8aqinh-RTilpJ80wH5azJ0PyM5oEBlvaN5xHV6z7FQW4siPiEOz96LpYWw777XtvAQxwxv4B51KcLi11tQESwPg9TM9ecB2jBI7Z4lJYght/s320/pton110l.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Having this kind of parents may be a pain in the gluteus maximus, if you get my drift. It is suffocating and infuriating. But it has its benefits as well. One of which is the fact that Greek parents are adamant about their children going to university. To achieve this goal, no expense is too great and no effort is too big. And once their offspring get this much-wanted place, the proud parents continue to provide for them. And they never stop giving, unless their "kid" graduates and finds a job.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">So, this attitude is the reason why the image of students selling lemonade as a part-time job in the summer seemed more strange to me, than Paris Hilton actually settling down. Greek parents don't ever get that. To them, a kid having to earn his pocket money by working would be insulting. It would mean that they themselves cannot provide for him. Don't get me wrong, I get the whole "being independent" and "learning how hard it is to earn your own money" idea. I actually applaud the concept. If more kids did that here, we would have less brats that couldn't stop being dependent on their parents. But that doesn't happen here often.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 253px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345051032476290146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxRkn0QbmnZiWe0ZIrQWCBUeFg_vFQ_-fbX3rNPNmKscHOetY8xr5GrdAgGbBA-t7lRjUzI8gmoqZ3HLoJG53uP7JnbT-LmtEk7s47Xp_wp0r6Q7_WcOVLB97r2wGKmVEf9YH0pbDn48q/s320/wda0078l.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Still, not earning your own pocket money at 15 is not dramatic. But depending on your parents to pay for your cigarettes at 30 is pathetic. Because, as I told you earlier, parents don't stop giving until their "kid" graduates and finds a job. And let's face it - finding a job isn't easy nowadays. And the recent economic crisis is not the only reason for that. It is all a fault of the species of Greek parents, actually. Being so persistent about their kids going to university, they created a country where every kid has a university degree. The result? There are far too many unemployed doctors and lawyers here, while it is painfully difficult to find a plumber or an electrician!<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">And here comes the last and most important characteristic of Greek parents: Pride. They are immensely proud of their children. To them, they represent all that is good and right in this world. And, having worked so hard to get them to university, they refuse to see them getting a job that is "beneath them". So no, it is not ok to find any job in order to earn a living. You have to find a job that you "deserve". Until then, "you have your family to turn to"!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">So, in this vampire country I live, kids don't ever grow up. They live with their parents instead, bargaining for more pocket money at 35, having their mother wash their underwear and cook their favourite dinner. Waiting for the "right" job to come, hoping to get their own place some time - as long as it is close to their parents' house, of course. In the end, getting married to "appropriate" people and giving birth to "extraordinary" children. And this vicious circle continues...</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">I started this post wanting to tell you about how and why I got into university. I talked about all Greek students instead. As much as this got out of hand, I think this is even better. And while it may seem I detest my country, I actually love it very much. Because only if you really love something or someone, you can accept it with all its flaws and weaknesses.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">And to be fair, the species of Greek parents is an amazing species by all means. It is one that never ever lets you down, and always looks out for you - no matter what. It is a species that always makes you a priority, and sacrifises itself for you without a second thought. It is a species we all love and respect. Do you want proof for that? </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">In Greece, kids selling lemonade is an unknown concept. But old parents staying in nursery homes is an unknown concept as well... :)</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">PS: I would love to hear your comments and also your own experiences from your own country / community / family. </div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-61021187540503492502009-05-29T22:50:00.000-07:002009-05-30T01:35:23.375-07:00Better late than never...<div align="justify">So I arrived in Mytilene, and the first days have been stressful, exciting, and full of discoveries. I won't actually work until Monday, so I am waiting until then to post about my first experiences here.<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="justify">I have some catching up to do on your adventures, and it has been fun getting "in touch" with you again. Also, a while ago I received two awards, and I would like to write a little about them. I know it is late, but I hope it's not too late...<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341492559299742098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXnBL-CK4qpnrFe-iWXgz1ev9DDyaf10OdpnJNJ3-de8_8DVHmgkHRkSHPVnSdGN2Q7gDAPWx0siiameGiRD5QxVFuR4wQhSsVa0opcPDMGELYvLwhALnm9Bqwc3IeBGMcgKHTCWbKyEe/s320/premio_meme_award.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="justify">This is the first one, and I received it from <a href="http://tattoosandteethingrings.blogspot.com/">Tatoos and Teething rings </a>and <a href="http://5thsister.blogspot.com/">5th sister</a>. Thank you, guys! It is a personality award, and now I have to list 7 things that characterise me - so here goes...</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">1) <strong>Pessimistic</strong>: I always think about the worst case scenario that could take place. Even when I am happy, I keep wondering when the next catastrophe will hit me hard. For me, this doesn't always prove to be bad, because, expecting the worst, I am more often pleasantly surprised than not. But for my loved ones, it is sometimes a torture to be around me, and listen to my negative remarks.</div><br /><div align="justify">2) <strong>Stressed: </strong>About everything and all the time. Everybody around me hoped that this would get better as I grew up and took on more responsibilities, but nope - I am still nervous, only about more serious things now. :(</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341524382025510546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 307px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOaVWllo2dx6Yt-R5v_aFYy-6LD-UkO-Tz-llm5SVvSFpD3J8kJ0fF72Kkz5ZJGwNCUE1X0sCGORPLP6EsJMeKtjfcggwxc7s_5b2FkQOMcoy6gzrso2PepqOD0hEhibuA5vt9YoDfUkS/s320/Stress.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="justify">3) <strong>Perfectionist</strong>: More like a typical patient suffering from ocd, actually. Everything has to be "one way" and not another, and until it is, it is "failing". I loose my sleep or my (very little) serenity over a book that is not in the "right" position, or over a small detail that nobody really cares about. I struggle to change that, though. I try to overlook the little things that bother me with their non - perfectness. After all, nobody and nothing in life is perfect, and I have to accept that and live with it.</div><br /><div align="justify">4) <strong>Sensitive: </strong>I observe little things around me that almost nobody does, and they can have a huge impact on my mood and attitude. A tiny gesture, a single word in a huge conversation, a thoughtless remark uttered subconsciously can make me replay the whole scene in my mind for hours, and try to think of the different interpretations. Also, I am sensitive to other creature's hardships, whether it is an old lady trying to cross the road, a kid hurting his knees playing football, or a stray cat struggling to find food in the garbage. </div><br /><div align="justify">5) <strong>Fair: </strong>I try to look things from different perspectives, and I am not too quick to judge people. Also, I try to be objective when thinking about my own actions, and I am anything but soft on myself. </div><br /><div align="justify">6) <strong>Honest: </strong>Both in the way that I am sincere on most occasions, but also in the "integrity" department. I hate cheating and breaking the rules.</div><br /><div align="justify">7) <strong>The queen of mood swings:</strong> This one goes along with the "sensitive" thing. While everything seems to be perfect, I may burst into tears (having noticed something that nobody else did), or may start laughing hysterically at a totally inappropriate time. My mood can change with the speed of light, and that may surprise or even make the people who barely know me tag me as "weird" and shun me. Those who choose to overlook this thing and try to cope with it have to be armed with a lot of patience and not take everything I do or say for granted - after all, who knows what the next minute will bring? </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341528524978580594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 263px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rxFYYG6w486upqL1mftLSmrpj5oC2Rpaq9N-XniTjr9jHtC4M5oL1vQkxIFjZr0Dvxy9iVrNNmSGV0cnO8W_hI1KjBE_PF0GwJiAjL-0UQPpVM_4cPqeixLrN6p1o_Lw_Nn2WHIltQJB/s320/untitled.bmp" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">I observe now that most of the things that characterise me are negative, and that I sound like a horrible, terrible person. I don't know... I am not that bad! But pointing the things that go wrong is always easier than emphasizing on your strong points.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">And now the nominees for this award:</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">1) Debbie from <a href="http://suburbsanity.blogspot.com/">"Suburb Sanity"</a> for her amazing sense of humour, her honesty and her ability to turn everyday catastrophes into cherished experiences.</div><br /><div align="justify">2) <a href="http://5thsister.blogspot.com/">5th sister </a>for her hard-earned wisdom and her compassion.</div><br /><div align="justify">3) Honeypiehorse from <a href="http://honeypiehorse.blogspot.com/">"Our feet are the same"</a> for her wittiness and decisiveness.</div><br /><div align="justify">4) LB from <a href="http://muddyrunner.blogspot.com/">"Muddy Runner"</a> for his motivation and persistence to his goals.</div><br /><div align="justify">5) Kristina from <a href="http://adamandkristinapulsipher.blogspot.com/">"Pulsipher Predilections"</a> for the fact that reading her blog makes my day.</div><br /><div align="justify">6) Raoulysgirl from <a href="http://raoulysgirl.blogspot.com/">"Who has the thyme?" </a>for her eagerness to discuss different points of view.</div><br /><div align="justify">7) Pam from <a href="http://pam-friedfamilylife.blogspot.com/">"Pam fried family life"</a> for her ability to juggle everything and still be sane.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341506392933534178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkq9HDGphb2TKxMSXghgk015oO5I_R8ZCUY-QyWa8qJy1TKLxYsHoplihL5HwLkdtnSWx08pHH7bNxKOfut3ajyQhkumEia-dqgYdjuT3PJNs-sIye4V46RPWJ_0hRkE3Klhqee8963bB/s320/passoinate-blogger-award.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify">This is the second award, the "Passionate blogger one" (thanks, <a href="http://lissaloo-onestepatatime.blogspot.com/">Lisaloo</a>!). So, 5 things I am passionate about:</p><p></p><p align="justify">1) <strong>Preserving life</strong>: Having seen what I have seen, I have come to greatly appreciate the gift of life. So, this is the number one priority for me in life, and it extends to many different topics. From being against abortion, to doing my best to help patients, and to avoid killing stuff, even if this is a disgusting insect that drives me crazy. It also explains my many attempts to become vegetarian (I have not succeeded yet, but I am still hoping).</p><p align="justify">2) <strong>People I love: </strong>I am not one to love easily, but when I do, I go to great lengths for these people.</p><p align="justify">3) <strong>Books:</strong> I love reading and writing. It makes me travel to faraway places, and discover new emotions and ways of thinking.</p><p align="justify">4) <strong>Food: </strong>I am always eager to try new things, regardless of their "weirdness" and unfamiliarity. I take great pleasure in cooking, and also enjoying good food with people I love.</p><p align="justify"></p><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341528940078481778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghujeNFqjuzrglqp3iE1UMfY15OFLvo0Z4TRPCqVihYzuHz6otJiPLrCH6_SuuT1_kmkEQtovaqy9CJCjk-suiY-ngpbTMDt0p_2p-wvuy6NlpkRCvdduJtBgwEXYuKDhpQkLHiP7qLHDA/s320/300px-Swedishchef2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="justify">5) <strong>The mighty trifecta: </strong>Sun, sea and a blue sky, that is. This explains why I love my country so much (and also every country with a similar climate). Cloudy weather always makes me feel blue, and summer doesn't come for me, until I get to spend some days in our beautiful Greek islands. </p><br /><p align="justify">And now the nominees:</p><p align="justify">1) Donna from <a href="http://mytastytreasures.blogspot.com/">"My tasty treasures", </a>because she puts the term "passionate" into a whole new perspective!</p><p align="justify">2) Willoughby from <a href="http://thisstopwilloughby.blogspot.com/">"This stop Willoughby", </a>for her creative projects.</p><p align="justify">3) Katie from <a href="http://bigdogsmommyanddaddy.blogspot.com/">"Katie's corner"</a> for her love of dogs.</p><p align="justify">4) <a href="http://adamandkristinapulsipher.blogspot.com/">Kristina </a>for her passion (or should I say obsession? LOL) for Snuggies.</p><p align="justify">5) And finally, ♫ Spasm ♫ from <a href="http://got-org.blogspot.com/">"Got org?" </a>for being a time management goddess.<br /><br /></p><p align="justify">That's all for now. Have an amazing weekend, everybody!</p><p align="justify"></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341527821859477938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFCDti7LmuOzj9yEhXAXua61fWf8RsEy40J7OfaHT4zjYHeeRqbk192TbfPS87Op8T90j0DS6JLG8CzCVBIdbtO5LS3QIKZIJ90FzvmV948goTmf_XgGmYT35GVhfPdJPiykD0fr-VH54/s320/the-view-from-our-sun.jpg" border="0" />Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-6421485406086219812009-05-19T09:27:00.000-07:002009-08-17T06:23:25.144-07:00Change - is it good or very good?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJiU1AOpIbrY46UYRP2L6kKYsaGdU8lk6ssuBQlRGTfMH4VAo_O67kFuV6lSiBklAFv7TIenKKx-h6kHTZ4iTFeIep8eROCygpLXbfcU73hnTamIeyb5d3BmdoCBWG0mW2LnCIUuH_tqV/s1600-h/Smile_782.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337585373496348594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJiU1AOpIbrY46UYRP2L6kKYsaGdU8lk6ssuBQlRGTfMH4VAo_O67kFuV6lSiBklAFv7TIenKKx-h6kHTZ4iTFeIep8eROCygpLXbfcU73hnTamIeyb5d3BmdoCBWG0mW2LnCIUuH_tqV/s320/Smile_782.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div align="justify">It has been such a long time, that I have almost lost the ability to post. I am surprised and touched that some people still remember me. I haven't forgotten about you, guys, either. I was just overwhelmed by the many changes happening in my life. I was forced to move suddenly, and went to a place with no internet connection! I am now writing from a net cafe, and it won't be until next week that I will have my own connection, and be able to catch up on your blogs, read about what you all have been up to, and comment on your adventures!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">As for myself, I would expect this last one month and a half to be painfully difficult. Looking back now, it was surprisingly refreshing and taught me a lot of things. I am thrilled to report that I feel much better now. </div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 217px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337584797444477122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBhBCM24btwytH9Vw9bqqMeF-zf_UdfkQrYe7Ww1L6By48SJxi4wAOjJcM26-QAgHR_EEnqdkTFvyFoiviqmuT0Phyyeoo8lpxjuIWz_3lwn5ac3P353BqTrqIobj5ho18Q4Ux_pt3X8u/s320/optimism.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">The last months following my graduation from Med school in November, I was slowly sinking in depression. I didn't realise how it happened. Suddenly, I was unemployed, with most of my friends moving back to their hometowns, and I ended up shut in my house, alone, totally dependent on the net and more than eager to unwind my tension and frustration onto my boyfriend. He was unemployed too, and it wasn't easy for him either.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">We went to Med school expecting to have to work and study our asses off, but for a reason: To graduate and have a shot at doing good, and achieving something great. Instead, because of the unemployment situation in Greece nowadays, we were ordered to write our name on a list, and wait for a residency program to open up... wait... and wait... for years, for an indefinite amount of time, watching time pass by and slowly forgetting all the things we learnt.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">And while my boyfriend was strong enough to say "I've had it! I will look for a residency abroad! I don't deserve this humiliation!", I was too disappointed and depressed to think of the situation the same way. As a result, months of "Let's go!" - "I am not going!" followed, and the result was the expected one: The tension wore our relationship out.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">And then, 2 months ago, an opportunity came up for my boyfriend, in Cologne, Germany. He was excited about it, but I couldn't be more negative. At that point, I was an emotional wreck, and moving around the house was difficult for me, let alone move abroad! Meanwhile, his parents (I have mentioned the fact that our relationship couldn't be worse in older posts) saw this position abroad as the perfect opportunity for us to break up. After all, I didn't speak German, I couldn't find a job there, so why would I want to go? After months of following a passive-aggressive tactic, they became openly offensive towards me, and started expressing threats and ultimatums ("Either you go alone, or we won't provide you with money for the trip, or accomodation" and "The moment she comes to Germany, forget you even have parents!")</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Finally, my boyfriend and I agreed that he should go alone at first. There was no need for me to move my negativity and misery abroad. These were too heavy for me to carry. I had to get rid of them first, in order to start my new life properly. So I gave up my student apartment, and moved to my parents' house (they live abroad now too). I did a lot of thinking, I learnt to depend on myself again, and started driving lessons. I know I am ridiculously old for that, but driving has always been one of my greatest fears, and a chore I avoided doing.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">And luck is finally on my side. I am amazed to report that I FOUND A JOB! A real, medical job - that of a general practitioner at Mytilene, a Greek island! And because good things usually happen all together, there is GREAT possibility that a residency program will open up for me soon!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">I still love my boyfriend, of course. And he loves me too. We are in touch every day, (I even visited him last week in Cologne) and things between us are much, much better. He is very proud of himself, earning a living for the first time in his life and honestly, I need to do the same. I need to be able to depend on myself, and not somebody else. I can't say that I have completely managed to get the "new me" out there, but I am trying hard. </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337584908195132050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpzHr4UKeUu7bHaPhONOqUWbf8r2Sqr9tw_Yp4Wx5FpOEaYFFSqT8O1O4Z7XVXNdZiOpJGAqqT1oRADF0N91JDx7mcjtBByfhf4_d7J1_8emTQDOnW3sjPYvarV__uTRzrfjK9YJH1S6z/s320/smile-famous-quotes-sayings.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify">For a full year (that's how long my job on the island lasts) we will be apart. But I am not afraid. I will remember what being a doctor feels like, I will finally learn German and, after that, knowing the language and having a full year of experience as added qualification, I will pursue a job in Germany. If us being together is meant to be, it will happen. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">But I learnt not to think of the distant future too much. I have today to take care of, and it is enough work for me. Ok, maybe I can plan 2 days ahead... after all, that is the day of my driving exam!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">So, that's what I had been up to these past weeks. Thank you all for being there for me. As soon as I get an internet connection, I will be taking a peek at your lives and experiences too. Until then, I will be thinking of you and hoping you are all well. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 284px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337585525180452498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAgEpX51JucgGoGVVa6tU2Pw7ZjIJzTxfmtlusk0qROmS7pXzott6pXGuTNIRfY9n4yCpkT3zfddsp5bRH6kk37VorssLZZQJCBEXVVpAF2wBpwN8hhtQhq1FY76DP0fyU6aFtrF9YJaf/s320/friendship_quotes_graphics_b5.gif" /></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p>PS: By the way, thank you for your awards! I have to think of my nominees too - I will get to it as soon as possible!</p>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-35850962616220346692009-03-21T04:53:00.000-07:002009-03-21T05:35:36.672-07:00Closed for vacation (I wish!)I would like to apologise for the fact that my blog lately has been looking like this:<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315609665338195986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQINDD3VEh7NAqUwdDkQsyFhzBVfwgwshjMOupQDy9YGE93wzAgDChPB-_ihRL5dLtLbl4XhZVDVuSyS1xIBTrHGui9n19MVNRcgByTJ5b7UJMiraJpwLWqYZ4s4ryZE_4xjwfzTvFQHXb/s320/untitled2.bmp" border="0" /></p><p></p><p></p><p align="justify"></p><p align="justify"></p><p align="justify">The truth is that many things have been happening to me over the last days, but not the kind you could easily write on a blog. I am in a dark place now emotionally, and I wouldn't like to write stuff I may regret later, or stuff that I haven't sorted out. Not yet.</p><p align="justify">Until then, I will continue to stalk on you, my blog buddies, and comment on your posts. They make my day, and drastically contribute to my sanity. I don't pray, but at times like this I wish I did. If you can, send me your positive thoughts and vibes - it will make a huge difference.</p><p align="justify">I have never been an optimistic person, more like a drama queen who always thinks that the glass is half-empty. But right now I keep whispering to myself all the positive energy/optimism mantras I can think of - I just hope they help.</p><p align="justify"></p><p align="justify"></p><p align="justify"></p><p align="justify"></p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315609052963252338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 237px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_osHWcLZ-_vvqFajRyaPb6pf7GvgD3HaeDPRCWWsXajh8aaUhrVJN3CGcWU-8d_HJYP5Em2BbIwBxq6uA1ONBpuTicdV92e1XlzH7i2ww2svuhTrpzkg6hep-hUZj_YcNTXdxBRq5XS-/s320/optimism_200903.jpg" border="0" /></p>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-68775788627857056022009-03-11T04:38:00.000-07:002009-11-02T13:04:43.985-08:00Welcome to Athens! (part 3)<p align="justify">Hello, blog buddies! This is the last and final call... err, post about Athens, the capital of Greece. Today we will be focusing more on Greek mentality and way of life. I kind of feel like a spy, because I will be giving you "confidential" and inside information but... here we go!<br /><br /><br /></p><div align="center"><strong>5 things I love about Athens</strong> </div><ul><li><div align="justify">The first one would definitely be the climate. It is really difficult to feel down when there is sunshine for more than 300 days a year. When the colour of the sky is the most amazing and clear blue you have ever seen, how could YOU be blue? According to official studies, the Greeks have the lowest incidence for depression in the world. Well, the weather certainly contributes to that. </div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Athens is a city that never sleeps, a 24/7 city. There are always people on the streets and open places to eat, drink and have fun. Unlike other European cities, life doesn't stop as soon as the sun goes down. In fact, that's when things get more lively!</div></li></ul><ul><li><div align="justify">The Greek hospitality is not a myth. Ok, it is not as easy to come by as 50 years ago, as Athens gets bigger by the second and people are more self-absorbed nowadays. But, it is definitely there. You can see it once you will need help, directions or information. You can ask the perfect stranger in the street for those, and not only will you get an answer (accompanied with a smile) instantly, but the person may even take you to your place of interest himself/herself!</div></li></ul><ul><li><div align="justify">When you walk to the same cobbled streets that millions of people have walked before you over the centuries, you have a surreal feeling. Somehow, you feel that it is all connected - past, present and future. You feel whole, in a way that cannot easily be explained with words. Like you discover your own personal place throughout history - it's tinier than tiny, but it's there.</div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">There is only one thing that rivals the amazing Greek sky, and that is the breathtaking beauty of the Greek sea. It is widely accepted that there are far more notable beaches at the Greek islands. Nobody can argue with that. But the Athenian sea can still be seen and immensely enjoyed. </div></li></ul><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312005633488448370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtR4CUjMnvOveIUy60k0zL5BfpaXlATua-fxPRCIgB-6hwibR_qcFzIT7-DjensHVSwh4C4KJEj9PBfcpSchksgkjlg-j2JNGdaNtuCw8fP5x4SbS775Omb3KgqgCkR9aQa2aOVzoXLlU/s320/Samos2.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><strong>5 things I hate about Athens</strong></p><ul><br /><li><div align="justify">Athens is one of the few European cities that still suffer in terms of public transport, cars and traffic. The fact that the Greeks had to wait for the Olympic Games of 2004 to get metro for the first time, is rather embarassing. As you can imagine, with 5 million moving around every day, and a subway system that is still developing and cannot possibly serve more than 1 million, things can get pretty hectic. The Athenians may have come to terms with the fact that they have to wake up 2 hours earlier, because they will definitely have to face a traffic jam going to work (even if their office is only 5 - 10 kms away), but the average tourist is not prepared for this mess. And honestly, why should he/she be? Luckily, if you stick to the centre and don't venture to the outer districts, the public transport will serve you perfectly. </div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Athens is painfully expensive, especially when it comes to food and drinks. While the metro ticket will only cost 0.70 euros / 1 dollar (one of the cheapest in Europe), and most of the sites will be free, you are likely to get a heart attack when you will be asked to pay at least 5 euros / 6.5 dollars for a single coffee! And, to be fair with Ernestos and his dislike for Lykavittos hill, if you go there, the minimum for the same coffee will be 7 euros / 9 dollars! This stuff is NOT for the faint-hearted.</div></li></ul><ul><li><div align="justify">Athenian taxi drivers have a nasty reputation for ripping off locals and tourists alike. Outrageous stories, charging tourists 50 dollars for a distance of 1.5 kms, are unfortunately true. So, a little tip: Never, and I mean NEVER enter a taxi, unless you agree on the tariff beforehand. It is ok to ask how much it will probably cost, and then decide if you are ok with it.<br /></div></li></ul><ul><li><div align="justify">Greeks have quite a temper, demand a lot from their governors, and they don't like to be treated unfairly. As a result, whenever they disagree with a government bill or a political decision, they protest and go on a strike, asking for amendments. It is quite complex to explain, but this is not the time or the place for that. As a tourist, you will face the aftermath: Closed sites, jammed streets, and unavailable public transport. If you are unlucky enough to be in Athens during a strike, there is no real tips I can give you - just try to be patient.</div></li></ul><ul><li><div align="justify">It is hard to be a pedestrian in Athens. There are no pavements at all, or those who exist are uneven and even full of holes. Add in the infuriating way in which most Greeks drive (speeding, having no respect for traffic lights and parking in the most absurd places available), and you'll realise that walking on foot at places with heavy traffic is no fun - no fun at all.</div></li></ul><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312005152351399090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgmX-RBzk19a9xeDsHoyTviQV50-lvxmQTtAmAGIxXiUvJwtI8YurNIMLRuqVo-SvsgejL1QQm_tS0OGHjcLwpwjXaPehP9OtUWwOnueszrm7tq1bu1wOs_6VX4zNNkD2wvij8CinjBbn/s320/mbkn1l.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">When in Athens, <strong>DO</strong>:</p><ul><li><div align="justify">Walk the Ancient promenade, enjoy the sun and fresh air and ponder about how many generations have followed the same route as you do now, over the centuries. </div></li></ul><ul><li><div align="justify">Try the Greek specialties, and explore new tastes.</div></li></ul><ul><li><div align="justify">Enjoy the hospitality of locals, their warm smile and generous ways. When having a conversation with Greeks, it is ok to ask about personal matters, age, income or marital status - just be prepared to answer these questions yourself!</div></li></ul><ul><li><div align="justify">Dine late (Greek restaurants are quite empty before 9 pm), hop into a bar and sleep in the next morning.</div></li></ul><ul><li><div align="justify">Spend an evening at an open-air cafe, sipping a "frappe" and watching people pass by. The famous frappe is a Greek legend - to be fair, it is not THAT special, but just a frothy version of iced coffee made with an instant brew. I personally don't like it, and it's ok (although I occasionally get shunned for it). But before you make up your mind, you have to try it.</div></li></ul><ul><li><div align="justify">Be carefree, and leave your stress behind. Not only are you on vacation, but you are in a place where people just don't think about things too much - try to follow their example, even for a few days!<br /><br /><br /></div></li></ul><p align="center">When in Athens, <strong>DON'T</strong>:<br /></p><ul><li><div align="justify">Wear sandals with socks. If you do so, you label yourself as a tourist.</div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Believe in the stereotype that wants Greeks eager to smash plates in places with live music (bouzoukia), when enjoying themselves. This was ok 50 years ago. Nowadays, if you want to do something similar, you can throw flowers (carnations) at the singer, or napkings. But beware: This is a pricey thing to do, as you have to pay for the napkins or flowers afterwards!</div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Get disappointed when you discover what heavy smokers Greeks are. It is frustrating, but true. There is already a law that prohibits smoking in public places, but as with everything else, it is only loosely followed. According to European union laws, smoking WILL be banned at restaurants/cafes/etc the following summer, but I personally have to see it to believe it.</div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Expect to dine peacefully when there are Greeks in the same place. We are outgoing, expressive and LOUD, and yet unaware of that. To us, the Spanish seem awfully loud and annoying. When travelling to Europe, though, my friends and I always get mistaken for Spanish, so there really isn't much difference! </div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Insist on paying for the meal or sharing, when at least one of the persons you eat with is Greek! This is considered a HUGE insult - guests just don't pay! Like, EVER! (If you want to be extra polite, you can suggest sharing, but accept the treat with no further disagreement when it is offered). </div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Our relationship with the Turks is a long and troubled one. The things is that, after 400 years of domination (1453 - 1821 A.C.), the two nations have come to share many traditions, words and habits - more than they care to admit. So, no, DON'T argue whether the baklava is Greek or Turkish, if the right term is "gyros" or "doner kebab", or if you are indeed drinking Greek coffee and not Turkish coffee. There are some things that are considered Greek, and not Turkish, and we choose to overlook their real origin. Just let it be. Nobody will be hostile after such comments in any case, but you are sure to cause some discomfort. Try to avoid it. </div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">Claim to be familiar with Greek history and mythology just by watching "300", "Troy", "Hercules" and "Xena". While you may have enjoyed these films/shows, they have all greatly distorted the actual story and original data. It is ok to be unfamiliar with Greek civilisation - sadly most modern Greeks are, after all. Just don't try to sound like a connoisseur based on the aforementioned productions. You are sure to induce laughter and irony. And by the way, to us Greeks, Alexander the Great was an admirable leader who managed to conquer most of the then known world - not just a plain homo caring about nothing else than to hook up with Haephestion (no pun intended)! </div></li></ul><ul><li><div align="justify">Complain about how Greeks cannot organise things, follow schedules, take on responsibilities and be respectful to others, in terms of noise and smoke. All these are true. But, to enjoy yourselves more, focus on the positive things: That we are warm people, sincere, generous and fun to be with. We are not famous for our kindness or tact, but we are always there when they need us, no matter what. Lastly, we make great friends - friends for a lifetime...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312009774545729682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggd7IY_5xF_fu-wmnSfeEo07eUVDaFZHnS1OvfvIn6eb1vxsCzTRZIHSGVP6tk397RkoyRZ2kP5LsQTE6syEjAG_RFmlFS5KOYyAnLmeWD-IV378nfWg-qUeP8Xu6-No32je6Dd1Q0I2RH/s320/SuperStock_1609-5090.jpg" /></div></li></ul><br /><p align="justify"></p>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-29128997675186671242009-03-10T12:50:00.000-07:002009-03-14T01:06:00.560-07:00Challenge: Dirty cooking secrets<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yQcLOG7ghrHVuo06PjnUR_qNlGODqusaabdOLG8qeSxTOOutaMmnCrbiyoLdVr_EVUuBqN7F9kitlLm5wbk3g1Rt19jUaEkkjyTnltu9NbeXNYAEmXwwPcM3hZJWnaA3Q4IUtkc3ccZy/s1600-h/cooking2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311676189130606162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yQcLOG7ghrHVuo06PjnUR_qNlGODqusaabdOLG8qeSxTOOutaMmnCrbiyoLdVr_EVUuBqN7F9kitlLm5wbk3g1Rt19jUaEkkjyTnltu9NbeXNYAEmXwwPcM3hZJWnaA3Q4IUtkc3ccZy/s320/cooking2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Ok blog buddies, most of you cook. It doesn't matter how often, or how well. In fact, it is ok if you have cooked only a few times in your entire life, or if your cooking triumphs pale in comparison to your cooking tragedies. The topic of this post is irrelevant to these facts.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">My real question is: What are your dirty cooking secrets? Those particular techniques that are unorthodox and not recommended, but you follow them anyway? Things that, if you were cooking live with Jamie Oliver or Rachel Ray, you would be embarassed to admit and show the audience?<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">If you want, you can post some in your blog. We promise not to judge you or report you to the culinary arts police. Unless your improvisations have caused severe food poisoning and could be considered as attempted murder in a court of law, of course... (Just joking!) My own confessions are:</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">1. I rarely sift my flour and dry ingredients in general when making dessets. Ok, lie detector, you caught me! Actually, I NEVER sift them!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">2. I always substitute baking soda with baking powder, even if only the opposite is "allowed". Oddly enough, I have never encountered a "disgusting and bitter baking powder chunk" in my desserts.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">3. I never wear gloves when cooking. Actually, I am a freak, and my choice of profession suggests it! I like touching dead stuff (ie meat). But yes, I wash my hands thoroughly. I guess my choice of profession suggests that as well.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">4. I don't use shortening. Actually, I don't know what "shortening" is. My knowledge of English doesn't expand to this particular term. Seriously. And as I am too lazy to look it up on a dictionary, over the years, I have come to the conclusion that shortening = butter. What? Shortening is NOT butter exactly? Oh, well, I am too old to change my ways now...</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">5. I am a student, living on a budget and moving frequently. So, both my income and my lifestyle don't allow me to buy fancy cooking equipment. As a result, I cook using <strong>basic</strong> stuff only - and I highlighted the word "basic" here. Which would explain why, if I appeared on a show with Jamie, I would look at objects like a garlic press / a springform pan / a crockpot / a rice cooker / a pizza slicer, etc with the same amazement Colombus had when he reached the American continent!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">6. Not embarassing enough? Ok, how about this: I don't know how to use a microwave. And of course I don't own a freezer. It's a vicious circle, guys.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">7. I love baking, and my friends tell me I have a hand for it. However, I only loosely follow the FRoB (First Rule of Baking) which, as we all know, is: "Thou shalt ALWAYS measure your ingredients". Well, I do measure them. I really, trully do. Only I lack some unnecessary things called "measuring cup" and "measuring spoons"! But hey, at least I always use the same cup to measure when baking something. Unless it needs washing, of course - then I just use another! Duh!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">8. I don't know how to de-gut a fish. You know, take all the inside parts of the fish out and make it ready-to-use for cooking. To those who don't really know me, I apologise for it, saying that I think it is plain disgusting. They seem to be ok with it, and show some sympathy. However, Ernesto doesn't. The problem is that he knows me a little too well, and says that I actually thrive on disgusting stuff. So, he seems to imply that I am just to lazy to learn, and pass this chore onto him. My reply? Well... No comment!</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">9. The most embarassing moment in my cooking history was when I made a mean fruit tart. Actually, you might now it as <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/White-Chocolate-Fruit-Tart/Detail.aspx?prop31=1">White chocolate fruit tart </a>on AR, and it was good beyond description. In fact, it was so good, that when Ernesto dropped the last piece on the floor, he didn't hesitate for a moment - he just picked it up and continued eating it!!! (Picture Joey from "Friends", in the scene where a cheesecake piece is lying on the floor. The same cheesecake piece, over which Rachel and Chandler had been fighting for the whole episode. He just comes in, sees them nibble off the floor, takes a fork out of his jacket and drops the killer line "What are we having???!!!)</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Um, wait... that's not an embarassing moment for me, but for Ernesto! Oh well... now that it's out there, it's really hard to take it back! (To his defense, I am a hypochondriac, who cleans the floors 12396 times a day - but I know, it's still yuck!)</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">I know it would have been much better to write 10 things instead of 9. If I had done so, my list would be more "proper" and "decent". But now that I've come to thing about it, there isn't one single thing in this particular list that it's decent anyway... so I'll just leave it the way it is.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />That's all folks! Your turn now! Share if you dare! </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312951349176702130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 216px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 37px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkHxtqD3Xpm6NGliaCmWAYBHRRkyOKy3avmrNyi93nYVjR3njwTTcxUkzaiywx2VyVMyRCvpSBVasqf1b40vRjxZcPqQ9GG_Pd70IHDwrIg4fpvd-7Crc_NrUYTcPQckSOm_5DdzzdPeR/s320/untitled.bmp" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312944627269362546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hSpjrW-fjUwWseuVSppLs5LDSNr2UU-d1AVeicMWt6OIXqoDoNNQ3v3WTMk7nuDdWsYEkJIqR8pbh8gusYZt5SQOtIBcii4mDwQSX1-Ox08BZDpCFMaLKWfXW0yMheMCXalZXYgTZY7j/s320/ist2_3376485-cooking-disaster.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />PS: If you want a cool signature too, you can go <a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/">here</a> and create your own!</div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-54612287722090679322009-03-06T08:18:00.000-08:002009-11-02T13:04:16.834-08:00Welcome to Athens! (part 2)<div align="justify">In the previous post, we talked about which sights a person visiting Athens should not miss (in my opinion, of course!). This post is about Greek food, Greek mentality and way of life.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><strong>5 things to eat (or 10!)</strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><br />1. Well... you guessed it! Is it POSSIBLE to visit Greece and not taste the no 1 delicacy, <strong>souvlaki</strong>? Of course not. Souvlaki is the first "emergency food" that comes to mind when your fridge is empty, or when you're not in the mood to cook. You can have it on the go, before or after you hop into a bar and you can find it everywhere, 24 hours a day! Seriously, a neighbourhood doesn't always have a grocery store, or a bakery shop, but it will most definitely have a place where you can have souvlaki (or, as it is called in Greek, a "souvlatzidiko").</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />But what is souvlaki exactly? Well, even the Greeks cannot agree on that! People from Crete claim that Athenians have no clue what the "original" souvlaki is, while the inhabitants of Salonica laugh at the rest for their ignorance. If we want to be precise, though, there are 3 kinds of "souvlaki": <strong>Pita with meat in skewers</strong>, <strong>pita gyros</strong> and <strong>pita kebab</strong>.<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">The original "souvlaki" is just the first one: Pita bread, filled with pork or chicken chunks in a skewer, tomato slices, onion slices and tzatziki sauce. Tzatziki sauce is made with greek yoghurt, cucumber, lots of garlic and (sometimes) dill.<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">What about french fries? Well, it depends on the region you are in. In Athens, no french fries are added, while on Crete, french fries are essential.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">So, if you order souvlaki, it will be something like this:<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310454513077466018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNSuku4lMTCO1KHDfhyXMMeT6UU1E9cp0KXsQulLKKzjqLeI-gIsSTqU0OIcdq07mlkAfDV14_CrTQ-wAiabujOB3Z3ipvp5R-kTYtx1TeSIBOYLCP0aM2jR3WDqXjQblH55ltjm2vVxX/s320/suvlaki-3086-25dec05-one-499.jpg" /></p><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">This is the meat in skewers. Of course, you can even order these individually (without any pita bread, meat only). But if you want pita souvlaki, the skewer will be removed, the aforementioned ingredients will be used, and the end result will be something like this: </div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 201px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311131650478316018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aJb95ESmZ2Mpfj3YhpYGDzLqlynMTCi9kdf5ad2ODxFXY-gXJVtEU9GOv1jU4KY_gs1FBkU5Rvwx4_hLytKh-0gqrmvok02XOZT0Y1XH5fFpeGGbuxHEVZCv0eqzU75CjMH1GYuxaW_m/s320/373_souvlaki.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Pita gyros has the same basic ingredients, but the meat is different. It is now not in skewers, but in a tall vertical spit, which turns around a source of heat. It is quite similar to the Middle Eastern doner kebab.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 168px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310458490789478754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpUqwYn0tUd6YLQbueqdiRX0CilhgPbb0jYtjtgOpuPD_tE4F2RKx1XZHDqWn0NHR6j8lOwD4ea90tjYViH8RtQEGOzDe0h1T1PThFHwHQaZscE96SeVr5DYv96F5yjNB_My8EXcxfmdf/s320/untitled.bmp" /></p><br /><br /><p align="left">Then, the meat is sliced vertically and the end result will be something like this:<br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310460280692024370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CR6Aeji7VDh18e3rZsYG6Bi5ZjAVbKgBuXQUAlxPSnvP7_83P1gex2M9x0kFgacIMOZdHsKALmkP4h4Qubyxka7y2-MKhHBWIWwLWV7SzMVmeOUzWyjUIqob1CBL6gJg10-SstC_ad3q/s320/souvlakia.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify">Finally, pita kebab is filled with lamb meat, minced and placed on a stick, like this (then, a pita bread is used, and the same "procedure" follows):<br /></p><br /><p align="justify"></p><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311162385037092978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL032CD3wzqHjtDelqe4rY1xuMa78P82fPoBR_Flv4PVh77mphlvqhqaoOWI05qp70uG-GUzhxYobamm__eP8R0uegka0cq4TlMy0n5nbp2SXAxP-NwG46xDbnlZru7pDC8NNLsfzH0K2S/s320/pic23.jpg" /><br /><p align="justify"></p><br /><br /><p align="justify">2. Now that you are a souvlaki expert, we can move on to other Greek dishes. The second one is not a surprise, either: <strong>Mousakas</strong>! It is a layered baked dish, consisting of fried potato slices, fried eggplant slices, ground beef, bechamel sauce (made with milk and flour) and ground cheese sprinkled on top. It demands quite a lot of preparation when making it at home and to be honest, it is quite a calorie bomb, but it tastes so good, that it should be illegal! Some people (my mom included!) also use fried zucchini at the bottom, but this is not typical.<br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310467558635562722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuldDeGlHxIbJPURArKUR134G0tFewrTUz233O2dZzlw7psrFEcZuQIfu53ft5ilB2OW6l_PHspzXuh3J-KTepTd204BtwEhJi7yfJ6ARawrH93neieu_HVHy-m3ExgqoqjvFjU4rNJRz-/s320/untitled.bmp" /> </p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><br />3. <strong>Pastitsio</strong> has some things in common with mousaka, as it is layered as well. A kind of bucatini or other tubular pasta is used at the bottom, then ground beef, seasoned with nutmeg and cinnamon, toppped by another layer of pasta. After that, the same bechamel sauce follows and, finally, ground cheese is sprinkled on top. </p><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310470051022598850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuCLkJzEmZvHEoIWnfbLkNNCv79W42PBj5S6Umpu7FsQR6jUrn3C-Yluuxhs8b6ltAnMTS_mgMwuwLXgqkQYdG9S4MHEgIFcRVoCRmqMztLcmG8DsRr-LNzghRBCUPh7_9oQc1hOhf_XV/s320/Pastitsio.jpg" /></p><br /><br /><p align="justify">4. Feeling full, aren't you? Well, I don't blame you at all - even hard core Greeks cannot handle pastitsio after mousaka! So, next day's dinner should be lighter. What about seafood? <strong>Fried calamari</strong>, or <strong>grilled octopus</strong> are a staple in Greek cuisine, and can be perfectly accompanied with a glass of <strong>ouzo</strong>. Ouzo is an alcoholic beverage, consisting of ethyl alcohol (coming from sugar cane), water and a mixture of herbs, such as aniseed, fennel, liquorice, cinnamon, cardamom, mastic and others (each producer uses his own combination). It can be consumed straight, or diluted with water, which produces a cloudy appearance. If not drinked with caution, it can cause a mean hangover!</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310475326630903122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjcvOuvxVtDRijmLyM-T0KR0UNc0h_5m-C2PZF9JyqEoGBc_hZDAjGrW76XeBXFX13YYk2dqlkMCv3X3zE4CYX4GkInbVcrdP1XwPpGJ2leUDPiUsBnXHUhEBDlHEDcVhRJOmR_nV-ytJ/s320/fried_calamari_499.jpg" />Fried calamari<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310476550666412578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6rzir2Ttrkd7Kn9xzMGADUH6JRXqVt1TXE-PokGRafx6nZeIsuH8fD9xXT8e14Wk1caETJ-2VZvu9UwYKWl6ri6EMNEuyL445oB-9wcH-58-z6PqwTRSjThyphenhyphenw3b0bpQqcaKhahk8Jy9H/s320/p118853-Crete-Grilled_Octopus.jpg" /> Grilled octopus </p><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311156015012714386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6v0jaB6KiGtNB4ikZAYugywc2dC0TZNN9KdIRBU0lLxz9lwyk93HzX3U2uU0PvmtBJm3OAdx9EV9kqRDlK-3njXd-6nXrfKhgqBh7XkYztn_HeM6Rt86U9dpQQL4oZLYelcnZAdcKfCQ/s320/untitled.bmp" /><br /></p><p align="center">Ouzo - it accompanies seafood perfectly<br /><br /></p><br /><br /><div align="justify">5. And to give you some vegeterian options as well, if you visit Athens during the summer, you can order <strong>gemista,</strong> which is a baked dish with tomatoes, peppers (and sometimes zucchini), stuffed with rice. Prior to stuffing, the rice has been simmered in a tomato sauce, with onions, garlic and spearmint as well. This dish is amazing, and it will look like this:</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311133138694042706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kaaUdCiJSQJQrp3chJsudb4aH-5zeQzyVKYEqmVbIHV52fN6kwzDz6PnPuiYw9A6PAmzIXV5dKVKCIrqIAdGnEDw6VXV0FTV8CCDKg98SlKNI49zcUPTd-fEE8fEHwiZefaDNjot5ymm/s320/Gemista.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">And of course, it goes without saying that you will have to try the Greek salad, or "village salad", as the exact translation would be. In fact, this is a staple in every Greek lunch or dinner. If you want to be true to its "original" form, it will have to contain tomatoes, onions, cucumber, olives and feta cheese, drizzled with olive oil and vinegar, with some oregano sprinkled on top too. It wouldn't be unusual to add some green bell pepper slices, while in the islands people also use capers.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311134440317560866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRgf41FxsYHX2ZxHWSsoA4uQIzocupND8x1f5L9Iqz3cUaZKw1cTeOb3HuLvHClw3-A3sqYXUY1ds2Yrq97xwY7UgthrxR0mrHr7oPMotQh6i6XRYTM70zCFR-8a8cJpUoNBGw072qN4I/s320/untitled.bmp" /> </div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">So, that's it with the food suggestions. Before we move on, however, I have to make a small observation. I kind of sabotaged myself with these recommendations - in the previous posts I tried to persuade you about the health benefits of Greek diet, and now I am giving you calorie bombs and fried stuff! THAT doesn't sound healthy at all, does it? Well, Greek people don't eat like this every single day (in fact, my mom complained for a month after having to make mousaka, and we were all doomed to have 5 minute meals for an indefinite time period, until she felt "ready to cook again"! LOL) But you will be here for vacation, and I think it would be ok to indulge a little bit - at least my always-eager-to-go-overboard Greek mind thinks so!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>5 things to buy:</strong><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />1. Well, nowadays, you can buy pretty much anything, regardless of where you live. But if you would like to buy some things that are produced almost exclusively in Greece, so that you would get better quality for lower prices, I would definitely suggest some <strong>olive oil </strong>(just make sure to check with the safety precautions about transporting liquid stuff in the US - the only thing that I know first hand is that it is OK to transport olive oil from Greece to Germany).</div><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify"></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311138123079065890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexeIrsexXzunnS2_aD5Jy4MQ4jJDGswTD9qmlatyzeq_aBMupPe9QvZ1LM8i233p_qq-0OUytiKyvfiqyaXR1ofzTE8ESGMWirycN4_M5D3oI5Qsr8vbckJP0I9PNxCbO7gaa7fMzhNUP/s320/myron-olive-oil-2402853.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify">2. Then, I would personally go for some <strong>spices</strong>. Thyme, rosemary, therapeutical herbs, or whatever else is not widely available in the US in "normal" prices. My personal favourite is <strong>mastic</strong>, which is a miracle product that deserves a post of its own. It can be used both for cooking/baking purposes, and beauty home treatments (it's been ages since we last had one here, but still...)<br /></p><br /><br /><p align="justify"></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 113px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311139582926703410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDm7h7S6Aw1Rf5asYOR1lNa3KLg9jj0lsSfAdNpGMjQuyn5EkV3Sl4FdxGdo6BJLTfxT0-m1n4s8zpcBmqV43Uun6grYEZlR5H9n7LV2G2VCVlSl0D-LUsblKCuUondXRSLxJ6hUgCaQI/s320/s-copal.jpg" /><br /><br /><p align="justify">3. One cool souvenir is the <strong>komboloi</strong>. It consists of beads that may resemble prayer beads, but hold no religious significance whatsoever. It can be constructed by any material, but amber is considered to be the best. Greek komboloi typically has an odd number of beads, and it is a good way to relieve the stress, pass the time, or make the people next to you pull their hair out in agony!</p><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311140780246620466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUHeAX1-zNba_-Npsmftw46ykZ2hHEyEVYjMdB6_GyrMDjkULTJ3VevDRb7kBvETXMVwfbxzVuvM76HZkz-cuMTEG5tXJll52Io-Nd6uZHFCmeyMLcGtAy8QhOrjj_LpaMvsJ5Pi36pAC/s320/kompoloi_polla2.jpg" /></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify">4. Greeks are quite superstitious, and they believe in the "evil eye". It refers to a person who is terribly jealous of you, for any reason, and thus consciously or not wishes your unhappiness. As a result, he/she sends negative vibes towards you, against which you have to be protected. Well, it all sounds pretty mystical and voodoo like, but it is much more simple than that. For example, when a person emphatically admires your dress (even if he/she has NO bad intentions at all), it is believed that you are quite possible to stumble, have an accident, tear it or stain it. So, he/she has to say out loud "I don't want to put my evil eye on you" and you have to spit inside your blouse (well, no actual saliva involved, it is just a mimic reaction)! </p><br /><p align="justify">Ok, by now you definitely think that Greeks are crazy. I won't argue with you - but I will get to the main point of this paragraph, which is <strong>talismans against the evil eye</strong>! They are a great souvenir, and you can either buy a single blue bead to wear in your bracelet or necklace, or a larger one, to hang at your favourite part of the house (or somewhere private, so that you don't have to explain this whole crazy story!)</p><br /><p align="justify"><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311143614229119298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_x5Ree0_fzkafYmlRxx_aOupd2_lCw56DnS_axPQeh8iRXbGgzWYloblw3nSQ2y8l_QmjpKoimrmfr3qWTtJtwclCdSTOFEduYbpzccaXK-1JngrlN8bJhSu8p_pbtGJ5zcEmpVbMtRQg/s320/250px-Blue_eyes.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify">5. Finally, it is always a great idea to get <strong>Greek sandals</strong>, or <strong>Greek embroidery</strong> - or both. </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnyIIBEhfraAb5alN2LRvedUsabYnpM0csNmwNyhLvpO-4qgRzf1huV2lV5GV-cCCQzOPf3IN7vXaAZJY6CAIZvCT0X4KqFZ59S0CXoUHBv7ac4iPBPIjFeuITmC0gzc4tfAoIi7N0DHY/s1600-h/sandal_onasis20.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvotRiR1aXl0hLZFiFO_TEQPyVX0pcSqHjY7Y7Ujdm5L6WrKCXUI8SPRlGdHqEDuuzcZm4uR8z5qJSHeVgzrX7pUigcNHmWqem4UUFpeoqXeoRKb-tV_YaIQuTzXo-ub7wGNv_mNI0OKj/s1600-h/d5178152l.jpg"></a><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311161929590628066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CpjVO_JyhJGZ4ghkAkDgUSWX_-tUjpWIoGGz4gbXSAVa1U2mB4LpV2J9cuchlCIrBlkq9Bqbz-zDMX3vC_mYGTXV1iTpdAUbIlFBbDZb0EyX51paiADcEyxp3LE1V_44dR9FmvXS4Mp0/s320/sandal_onasis20.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify">Well, as always, this post has gotten longer that originally expected. So, I'll show some mercy and stop for now. I will come back soon with the 3rd (and hopefully, the last) part about Greek etiquette, DOs and DON'Ts, and generally some insights on the Greek thinking and way of life. Because I believe that you cannot really see a country, until you've met and tried to understand its people... See you! </p>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051387648165628402.post-49499978195020744072009-03-05T07:46:00.001-08:002009-11-02T13:03:49.482-08:00Welcome to Athens! (part 1)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-al8rlk-3IWXbZ6KLMlJTAK7QXeqpNztYGolAMGeopiqm4UglJOXEzDS58CLlau6VTHh07w5xR5DbqBt3qasVfbx5oXOA8VouLSP-L3G0cGoFth5TSAd-vOJGv0-odAZyu5pVJRzUv7_4/s1600-h/Athens+Day+001+(88).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309779152623770402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-al8rlk-3IWXbZ6KLMlJTAK7QXeqpNztYGolAMGeopiqm4UglJOXEzDS58CLlau6VTHh07w5xR5DbqBt3qasVfbx5oXOA8VouLSP-L3G0cGoFth5TSAd-vOJGv0-odAZyu5pVJRzUv7_4/s320/Athens+Day+001+(88).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><div align="justify">One of the things that I love to do is travel, both around Greece and abroad. I am proud to say that I have visited quite a lot of places, but this is a thirst that is never quenched. There are always new places to see, and new people to meet. So, I have decided to share some of my favourite destinations with you, with some info on sights, delicious food, funny or frightening experiences, and most of all, lots and lots of photos!<br /><br /><br />I could not start my first post in any other way. I HAVE to present you Athens. The city all Greeks love to hate. We all bitch about it, but alas, we cannot stay away...</div></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify">Athens is the capital of Greece. It is one of the most overpopulated cities in Europe, as nearly 50% of the Greek population stay there (4.5 million people out of almost 11). It has nasty traffic, outrageous prices and very stressed, chaotic way of life. But it also has things you just can't miss.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><strong>5 things to see:</strong></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><br />1. Well, the first place you visit HAS to be <strong>Acropolis</strong>. You've all heard about it quite a lot, but it's ok if you are not quite certain what it is (an embarassing survey conducted among Greek teenagers showed that half of them didn't know the difference between the Acropolis and the Parthenon, and most of them had never visited the site - now, THAT'S a problem!)<br /></div><div align="justify"><br />Well, 2500 years ago, each Greek city represented a separate "state" - it had its own laws, traditions, financial power and tried to achieve domination over its neighbours. The most powerful Greek city was, at the time, Athens. So, its leader, Pericles, having a lot of money to spare (how this money was obtained is another, embarassing story), decided to use the highest and most imposing part of the city (the hill of Acropolis) to build impressive temples (the most well-known is the Parthenon). The Parthenon was a temple dedicated to the godess Athena who, as discussed in another post, was the city's protector.<br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309748905517731746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6D9hrtFzbKXo-QImX18Mad3yJJwZUaWX7LRoMTIgJOSRcCWCH0aY2_HtgVdvZhDa3GIxr10Bask_ng8ms-bnIPqz_nCY1JNGRdQ5_IV0nX-Dw4txzZGWRIKyTWrB-vOIAoZIG6L_MbEu/s320/Athens+Day+001+(1).JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />So, as centuries go by, there the temple stands. The city may have changed drastically, different types of government have followed one another, but the temple is always there, telling its story to those who want to listen...<br /></div><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZcCNHqkx1ILm5nvGC4rmzBEvgqscYowBJVpSE7Gqv71pBwzSX2qG7K2V9yRMKV2LqFyE63H5FP2x7en6KkeLELYQQKOhfAlNHnTHTfPDtYQxAvYzvZGNvlxTn4MU8MtPfgYW2_-ppCRR/s1600-h/Athens+Day+001+(34).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 203px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309754273006488994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZcCNHqkx1ILm5nvGC4rmzBEvgqscYowBJVpSE7Gqv71pBwzSX2qG7K2V9yRMKV2LqFyE63H5FP2x7en6KkeLELYQQKOhfAlNHnTHTfPDtYQxAvYzvZGNvlxTn4MU8MtPfgYW2_-ppCRR/s320/Athens+Day+001+(34).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">This is Erectheion. It is a temple next to Parthenon. Remember the story about Athena, Poseidon and the olive tree? Well, this was the site of their competition (hence the olive tree)!</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzhyR8nKBFt1F2sb8FfL6ZvoFl6Q_YdBfuu7nzFT-FdZoTRsqNY4Jc-lykRxu32VY5oRN8_b7GRP-27irPfaGS2tiRgyr-9hzGqhaAJedtNjt8YL8xEID1rxygZHDYHxBsiQA2ZrM9wXT/s1600-h/Athens+Day+001+(35).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 176px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309755973677234370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzhyR8nKBFt1F2sb8FfL6ZvoFl6Q_YdBfuu7nzFT-FdZoTRsqNY4Jc-lykRxu32VY5oRN8_b7GRP-27irPfaGS2tiRgyr-9hzGqhaAJedtNjt8YL8xEID1rxygZHDYHxBsiQA2ZrM9wXT/s320/Athens+Day+001+(35).JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>This is the Parthenon. Unfortunately, the restoration works don't do the temple's picture justice.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br />2. <strong>The Ancient Promenade</strong></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify">One of the benefits of the Olympic Games of 2004 was this 3 km pedestrian district (reputedly the largest in Europe). It allows you to have a delightful stroll around the foothils of Acropolis, without having to worry about traffic and crazy drivers. It was a very ambitious project, and managed to unify many scattered sites, offer some much-needed greenery and restore key monuments and neoclassical mansions. </div><br /><div align="justify"><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TNoV1cE_fXaTAFuQyAKaivBPG9X2CX8w_gVxFEr210VkI5dZ2M8sib7ooQSX2iZJ8dFdoHQWJKcWf7bDItBtyC1whf800tcRcekN_JqsZzXovdPp-cDwSQg37cLEjLPI9H7Of_LWUTO8/s1600-h/Athens+Day+001+(2).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 360px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309750483902702882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TNoV1cE_fXaTAFuQyAKaivBPG9X2CX8w_gVxFEr210VkI5dZ2M8sib7ooQSX2iZJ8dFdoHQWJKcWf7bDItBtyC1whf800tcRcekN_JqsZzXovdPp-cDwSQg37cLEjLPI9H7Of_LWUTO8/s320/Athens+Day+001+(2).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">You can stroll along the cobbled streets and enjoy the blue sky and the blossomed trees.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">So, starting opposite the<em> temple of Olympian Zeus</em> (colossal in size - it took 700 years to build), it continues past the <em>Odeon of Herodes Atticus</em> (it is an open theater and it is considered an once in a life time experience to attend a play during a warm August night there), along <em>Thisseion</em>, with its vivid cafes bustling with students, all the way to the <em>Ancient agora</em>. It then branches off west to <em>Kerameikos</em> (ancient cemetery) and <em>Gazi</em> (notorious for its night life), and north to <em>Monastiraki</em> (famous for its flea market) and finally, to the atmospheric <em>Plaka, </em>with its amazing neoclassical mansions.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokG_KHPgQUrGuAbwO36ySpaT9JyMF7N5anuW9T0-mlmTVvg1sSc9hdSgIYPWrbWANu8_mBEFkBpZ8DDwxhuYD74wap27SujJQ6XfVqQVdHmSwrixYMtrg6XC_JBqxeyLn84UigsWyJYbS/s1600-h/Athens+Day+001+(26).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 203px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309753430120284370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokG_KHPgQUrGuAbwO36ySpaT9JyMF7N5anuW9T0-mlmTVvg1sSc9hdSgIYPWrbWANu8_mBEFkBpZ8DDwxhuYD74wap27SujJQ6XfVqQVdHmSwrixYMtrg6XC_JBqxeyLn84UigsWyJYbS/s320/Athens+Day+001+(26).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The theatre of Herodes Atticus</div><br /><br /><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCajD0Qaqghz8VRxqcD7jRWz00dPZvbQjSOrfHpQR034kDQXrpbBSMyu1F1o0bH-xNYXZpe-JHvX5F_CGbnuwZ6qqBJFk0I4lUBrAkeeGlQQxZCGx029Br_Owo46wO11fRuuoOiraUXm7/s1600-h/Athens+Day+002+(128).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309770713485789746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCajD0Qaqghz8VRxqcD7jRWz00dPZvbQjSOrfHpQR034kDQXrpbBSMyu1F1o0bH-xNYXZpe-JHvX5F_CGbnuwZ6qqBJFk0I4lUBrAkeeGlQQxZCGx029Br_Owo46wO11fRuuoOiraUXm7/s320/Athens+Day+002+(128).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The collosal temple of Olympius Zeus<br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTAl8cLbDS99ricgYqA-u0I6PMnks2thHL13HG-lNvotla1ke0IzTvxAr__iuEW-z9WXetIuTOAUBTFlgMxYgZl1pOKfZxHMMg4ZtffT8H8sqsfDl19r_lBhGD6HBAVR-Li92unce17d-/s1600-h/Athens+Day+002+(125).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 253px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309769861921660498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTAl8cLbDS99ricgYqA-u0I6PMnks2thHL13HG-lNvotla1ke0IzTvxAr__iuEW-z9WXetIuTOAUBTFlgMxYgZl1pOKfZxHMMg4ZtffT8H8sqsfDl19r_lBhGD6HBAVR-Li92unce17d-/s320/Athens+Day+002+(125).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>The "ant" at the base of the pillar is me!<br /></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgiPAA5KS7VLmzZ5Zv8l4ETUaDVVJzWQdtDHU4QIg9EmeaHWxZY4nE3QMNtcBAKs2T7xjQG61FVQWqSrwo-7z08P2Ty3AeR80VRFhgP7NaX43AeXLmKsK0svhpKBG7iE2_8HW61iSzRsu/s1600-h/Athens+Day+001+(108).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309757450657759042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgiPAA5KS7VLmzZ5Zv8l4ETUaDVVJzWQdtDHU4QIg9EmeaHWxZY4nE3QMNtcBAKs2T7xjQG61FVQWqSrwo-7z08P2Ty3AeR80VRFhgP7NaX43AeXLmKsK0svhpKBG7iE2_8HW61iSzRsu/s320/Athens+Day+001+(108).JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Turtle at Kerameikos<br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT1zWTbZOuneuJ8iSZItxWt7UWl_ZgJzopYp8nP5zF6qENvXiOdxs81Baq-2s7JT7eUTp0zsk6bUWMIu1Ku7x2lOkISLqBlTzwJCdahDtYOMqCg-kbGSBjPCctlFucMyO6qYy0uQmC-YT/s1600-h/Athens+Day+002+(135).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 168px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309775695293989474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT1zWTbZOuneuJ8iSZItxWt7UWl_ZgJzopYp8nP5zF6qENvXiOdxs81Baq-2s7JT7eUTp0zsk6bUWMIu1Ku7x2lOkISLqBlTzwJCdahDtYOMqCg-kbGSBjPCctlFucMyO6qYy0uQmC-YT/s320/Athens+Day+002+(135).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Thisseio<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-WHCUWeDYLd1qNba4URdpTYJvoDdf4ynbUOf83M9rNT3XBtUlRUg00Arvqt8BweOFareRwCOnK-4IQU3Cq24gYfea_tTc6q6EzwlykuJuvATqDifLj72ornjOMhBq92PRSuwvUQc6Bhp/s1600-h/Athens+Day+002+(136).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309774680940966210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-WHCUWeDYLd1qNba4URdpTYJvoDdf4ynbUOf83M9rNT3XBtUlRUg00Arvqt8BweOFareRwCOnK-4IQU3Cq24gYfea_tTc6q6EzwlykuJuvATqDifLj72ornjOMhBq92PRSuwvUQc6Bhp/s320/Athens+Day+002+(136).JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>Monastiraki flea market </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMdmJ6fq45GLS9IjTEhsbUkyH34FoTpQ3nDV6Z1CpZ-fDRcJJqnszl0IoZ6e1gNq5pZj7bXKxUrTwQ4JcVaEnBZDZr799FQae-zPv5LYL1j3byW6X3f87z_livBSJovOIDfrLqgcLGcUR/s1600-h/Athens+Day+001+(101).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 239px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309778209875536482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMdmJ6fq45GLS9IjTEhsbUkyH34FoTpQ3nDV6Z1CpZ-fDRcJJqnszl0IoZ6e1gNq5pZj7bXKxUrTwQ4JcVaEnBZDZr799FQae-zPv5LYL1j3byW6X3f87z_livBSJovOIDfrLqgcLGcUR/s320/Athens+Day+001+(101).JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Neoclassical building in the neighbourhood of Plaka<br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">3. <strong>The National Archaeological Museum</strong></div><div></div><div align="justify"><br />This is the world's largest and finest collection of Greek antiquities. It is vast and beautifully presents different eras in Greek history.</div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><br />Museums can be overwhelming, (surprisingly, I was not bored or tired at all after spending more than 2 hours there - but maybe this was because I was biased with the subject!) so if you had to see 2 pieces only, these are the one I would recommend:<br /></div><div align="justify"><br />The first one is an imposing bronze statue of a Greek god. It is not determined if it shows <strong>Zeus </strong>(the leader of Greek gods, with its trademark being the lightning bolt) or <strong>Poseidon</strong> (the god of Sea, its trademark being the trident). Obviously, the statue WAS holding one of these 2 items, but it is now missing, so we can only guess.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb4IMEqo1d_pHQQE2ug4t0Kkbp-qxiS7hL_nLrGMB03lJasdO90Byh0Zf8EJc6Fk_NVGSEfXx4V6iI0SS1XTbcqpD9eCTtA7tOM74cQeYcFUV6pTQginvjfJ62n9oD8dPir-9CsoSr8Mv/s1600-h/Athens+Day+002+(20).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 293px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309759747991632530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb4IMEqo1d_pHQQE2ug4t0Kkbp-qxiS7hL_nLrGMB03lJasdO90Byh0Zf8EJc6Fk_NVGSEfXx4V6iI0SS1XTbcqpD9eCTtA7tOM74cQeYcFUV6pTQginvjfJ62n9oD8dPir-9CsoSr8Mv/s320/Athens+Day+002+(20).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>Zeus or Poseidon?<br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQa3n0AAZYABMLg6DoUzFcLQHgM-EvbKDB3DXE7INVp-zP6Rm6p7N9AhApemIvx8ovASPd2BR1hoA0u5j78dozuaIYNZCx12GDmwdW1a7i_LslZY1RANALveeCdHztkjF3XpLQAyhjTsd/s1600-h/Athens+Day+002+(21).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 202px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309760513711262882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQa3n0AAZYABMLg6DoUzFcLQHgM-EvbKDB3DXE7INVp-zP6Rm6p7N9AhApemIvx8ovASPd2BR1hoA0u5j78dozuaIYNZCx12GDmwdW1a7i_LslZY1RANALveeCdHztkjF3XpLQAyhjTsd/s320/Athens+Day+002+(21).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><p align="justify">The second one is the statue of <strong>horse and young rider</strong>. It was discovered in a shipwreck, broken in hundreds of pieces. It was restored beautifully, and its sense of motion (depicted in the features of both the horse and the rider) is striking.<br /></p><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4O2tW0nuDlXRWAqFoy6YN7NAdUY6vMeiHXzyk3a1x8LeiyoSEPB5GudI9IdMti2xp-Msb2h9vpVDvx4T9zZJVvbKrApwSngGn2YR01hqzCpGoL1yBtp9vrfrA6TRG_befvEk5kLhejtvR/s1600-h/Athens+Day+002+(32).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309761351319331282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4O2tW0nuDlXRWAqFoy6YN7NAdUY6vMeiHXzyk3a1x8LeiyoSEPB5GudI9IdMti2xp-Msb2h9vpVDvx4T9zZJVvbKrApwSngGn2YR01hqzCpGoL1yBtp9vrfrA6TRG_befvEk5kLhejtvR/s320/Athens+Day+002+(32).JPG" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Horse and young rider<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnb750W5vlQjJTZTkgCkRkyicFeSCkyz1QoO_nGoO9vIBvM4Jk9Lbus9ReZeBivdhYY6ygWP39lv9iTdfN6BrQDvi_wEbNpNxLUp20RMsAI4uzKGWK7erXm5iUAwwrgnb-NIiXA-2vUrx/s1600-h/Athens+Day+002+(33).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309762643777380002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnb750W5vlQjJTZTkgCkRkyicFeSCkyz1QoO_nGoO9vIBvM4Jk9Lbus9ReZeBivdhYY6ygWP39lv9iTdfN6BrQDvi_wEbNpNxLUp20RMsAI4uzKGWK7erXm5iUAwwrgnb-NIiXA-2vUrx/s320/Athens+Day+002+(33).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmBfDtrhNUxQVOAIk20Kn6a0TH7y7_Lz0Ao3FSdaWaOZ13DYWyLG8CaU_oGUTmF4cw0ATG6zU9Zi5ip0ANzI-xzOUiyIXj6-OQULZ22mN_dqf89wYG3vgYtBFipY6yPbuau86IYbyngAT/s1600-h/Athens+Day+002+(90).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309764042269299666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmBfDtrhNUxQVOAIk20Kn6a0TH7y7_Lz0Ao3FSdaWaOZ13DYWyLG8CaU_oGUTmF4cw0ATG6zU9Zi5ip0ANzI-xzOUiyIXj6-OQULZ22mN_dqf89wYG3vgYtBFipY6yPbuau86IYbyngAT/s320/Athens+Day+002+(90).JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>Ancient piggybank<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><p align="justify"></p><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlMXWtF67y71dId57o8WKNaKCJoOCatWAM9Q0YX6k3Z8fD2klnacLIXLscbBKFFxH2vFo639Bf7R8e6kUKm0ep4bvEq0YDx8RqHewn4Lkj-vFdgXd-RBni64bnCKvKQcY7Jv31VvK0nfe/s1600-h/Athens+Day+002+(84).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309780334669886802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlMXWtF67y71dId57o8WKNaKCJoOCatWAM9Q0YX6k3Z8fD2klnacLIXLscbBKFFxH2vFo639Bf7R8e6kUKm0ep4bvEq0YDx8RqHewn4Lkj-vFdgXd-RBni64bnCKvKQcY7Jv31VvK0nfe/s320/Athens+Day+002+(84).JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>I can't remember what this is exactly, but it is so cute!</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>The museum also has a beatiful inner yard, where you can relax afterwards.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOTEvIFVNBxj-LJOOYqxpfu6O_8CIeubSYQNbg7BvQwK-fWt_wCOMG5sB5zgdNzNvwaxrOAPTnGAuM3sJvXRlq1Qll4a_HTQuE1Jjm7ZXKlJaZWFyEGOHECr6dwr3eHCgBgdyHgZ7EUxt/s1600-h/Athens+Day+002+(105).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309765279584881682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOTEvIFVNBxj-LJOOYqxpfu6O_8CIeubSYQNbg7BvQwK-fWt_wCOMG5sB5zgdNzNvwaxrOAPTnGAuM3sJvXRlq1Qll4a_HTQuE1Jjm7ZXKlJaZWFyEGOHECr6dwr3eHCgBgdyHgZ7EUxt/s320/Athens+Day+002+(105).JPG" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Ernesto under the trees in the museum's inner yard<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><p align="justify"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7BKTRi52YWUqMNmGnFhO77hWC9FKCg3L5Nb26vf8-5BKWAkzBe2i7-9OgJniA2jYoRFaDzBvVjVE6b7mASzucqZGcxqnCPxTdn-8j1UJUYwxLE89YQ58TJWbjlaEq_KmfqIw4XPLzkyH/s1600-h/Athens+Day+002+(107).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309768818598468754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7BKTRi52YWUqMNmGnFhO77hWC9FKCg3L5Nb26vf8-5BKWAkzBe2i7-9OgJniA2jYoRFaDzBvVjVE6b7mASzucqZGcxqnCPxTdn-8j1UJUYwxLE89YQ58TJWbjlaEq_KmfqIw4XPLzkyH/s320/Athens+Day+002+(107).JPG" /></a></strong></p><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Me</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><strong>4. Lykavittos Hill</strong></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><br />Well, Ernesto wouldn't be happy with me suggesting this as a must-see. Basically, it is a hill that offers panoramic views of the city. There is a ridiculously pricey cafe there (the first reason for his discomfort!), and a church. Its open-air theatre is well known mainly for summer concerts.</div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2Q0pL5HG95V-E6sjXDqsS0ZzOxstP9pyPiM-NBUfgdPqzd-2WwDDqErSlBXIs5P9nlbbe1wnn6XZXYZ36TlmVA6HxXBZvoXsgyWCcyjn80s203vruXEEkhHwf3RZt5YSORvK_lNtFr2i/s1600-h/Athens+Day+002+(140).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309776586019949042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2Q0pL5HG95V-E6sjXDqsS0ZzOxstP9pyPiM-NBUfgdPqzd-2WwDDqErSlBXIs5P9nlbbe1wnn6XZXYZ36TlmVA6HxXBZvoXsgyWCcyjn80s203vruXEEkhHwf3RZt5YSORvK_lNtFr2i/s320/Athens+Day+002+(140).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Lykavittos open-air theatre</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify">It is nice to watch either a sunset or a sunrise there. To see the city lights turning on during the evening, or the first people waking up and going around in their cars in the early morning. To be fair, I would have to add Ernesto's comment that, "it is better to be at the centre of Athens and see the green hill in the distance, than actually be on the hill, and see the ovepopulated city, with the "forests" of skyscrapers and cement building blocks!" Well, you can go and decide for yourselves!</div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><br />5. <strong>Athens by the sea</strong></div><strong></strong><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><br />Whether you visit during the summer or not, you cannot miss going to the beach. If you want to swim, there is a 25 km coastline from Faliro to Glyfada and Vouliagmeni. If you prefer a stroll instead, or a seafood dinner, you could go to the port of Mikrolimano.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_d7jdYWbpBb9WiDdsQVkMvO2Tf_hxfZUIT-gy_Q4iDegQOEC_Yrr63yY2zuFbNn9yy8GjOmVDM6dZ-fNlRYk3AvO6bzI9P3UGQ8HvBIX-UOYDDEESx-AKwqA4SC-kGyvlLMnWMs5q6pp/s1600-h/Athens+Day+003+(10).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309773627025174594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_d7jdYWbpBb9WiDdsQVkMvO2Tf_hxfZUIT-gy_Q4iDegQOEC_Yrr63yY2zuFbNn9yy8GjOmVDM6dZ-fNlRYk3AvO6bzI9P3UGQ8HvBIX-UOYDDEESx-AKwqA4SC-kGyvlLMnWMs5q6pp/s320/Athens+Day+003+(10).JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Ernesto at Mikrolimano (this time I didn't get his picure in time, before he made the "classic-and-annoying" frown!!</div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="justify">Well, that's it for now! If you liked it, I can come back soon with more info on Greek food and way of life. Until then, you can still visit Athens... in your mind (the way I daydream about going to New York, or driving along route 66!). See you!</div>Graceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09135892970660205062noreply@blogger.com10