Lynn iPulse Student Newspaper

With the recent events of the 2008 summer Olympic Games in Beijing I would like to offer a first-hand account of the 2004 summer games in Athens, Greece. Having an international communication major, I had the distinct pleasure of covering the Olympic Games for a Greek-American weekly newspaper and spent the rest of the summer touring the country.
Each time I visit Greece I never want to leave. Whether it’s the hospitable people, warm culture and weather, gorgeous beaches (& men), carefree lifestyle, delicious food — well the list continues — but the point is I always feel quite at home. But to have been so fortunate to spend the whole summer in Greece during the 2004 Olympic Games was an awesome experience I couldn’t have imagined.
Being Greek American and having been raised learning about Greece’s history and traditions well before I could even walk, made it even more remarkable to see the country from a reporter’s perspective, and as a “tourist” for the new areas I visited. Before I started coverage for the games in August, I was able to travel through the rest of the country up the eastern coast staying with family, until I ultimately reached the northern region of Epirus, where my father was born and grandparents lived.
Greece is a peninsula of land surrounded by the Ionian, Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. The land of nearly 11 million people has the largest coast than any other country. The beauty and mystique of the country comes from its two extremes of incredible coastal views and islands with crystal clear water, and then the glorious mountainous regions with lush greenery.
Before going to Epirus, I stopped at Olympia and Delphi. It was mesmerizing seeing such archeological sites full of rich history and mythology. During the classical era in Greece, Delphi was claimed to be the center of the earth where the most important oracle gave prophecies (seeing the mountainous majesty with monumental rock formations makes you almost wonder.) Olympia was where the first Olympic Games took place in 776 BCE, and in 2004 they returned to their birth place. That summer was full of a collective pride to see Greece host the games once again, since the revival of the modern games in 1896, and do it so successfully amongst international security threats and timing delays. There was also a swelling of national pride for winning the coveted Euro Cup earlier that summer.
One of the best parts of visiting an Olympic host country is seeing how it cleans up after itself to prepare for all its visiting company. In Greece’s case the transformation was stunning. Prior to my 2004 visit, I still adored the country’s beauty from Athens’ architecture to Santorini’s breathtaking vistas, but this time was even more impressive.
By parliament in Syntagma Square, it was totally reconstructed with a long walkway of gleaming white marble adorned on both sides with outdoor cafes, and an entrance leading to the underground metro. The metro itself seemed like an exhibit at some of its most popular stops, where there were glass casings of woven gold, or precious archeological artifacts — and it always seemed spotless.
Of course when one thinks of Greece they also think of the Acropolis. Walking up to the Acropolis is worth it even in the dead of summer, to see the amazing feat built flawlessly during ancient times, that withstood destruction against earthquakes, war or natural deterioration.
The Olympics helped modernize Greece with up-to-date infrastructure ranging from efficient highway systems, a much larger airport, the engineering masterpiece of the Rio-Antirio cable-stayed bridge and the signature stadiums that the famous Santiago Calatrava designed for the occasion.
Greece entered the 21st century with high expectations for itself and trying to speedily progress at those goals. It joined the Eurozone in 2001, landed the Olympic Games and has increased its booming tourism industry even more.
I only hope as the country continuously modernizes it never loses its old world charm.

A GLIMPSE OF GREECE
A Long Lineage of Culture and History That Continues On

A night shot of the neighborhood of Plaka with the Acropolis in the distance .

By Joanna James
Special to the iPulse

Greece has a vibrant culture from its music and dance to its theater and museums. Whether you are traveling to this peninsula of land for sun and sea at one of the many breathtaking islands, or history and culture from Athens to Thessalonika – Greece will leave you wanting more.
Generally people in Greece work to live, rather than live to work – so when people have time off they enjoy it – whether taking in a show, going to a bustling café or leaving for a holiday to Santorini.
In Athens, the capital boasts of historical sites, plenty of cafes and restaurants and various neighborhoods that offer different scenes.
One of the most visited and deserving sites to see in Athens is of course the Acropolis. The Acropolis dates back to the 5th century BC and translates to the “high city.” When one walks to the top of the Acropolis there are statues and temples, but most famous is the Parthenon. The Parthenon is a culmination of Greece’s Classical era celebrating the city’s culture and art as a dedication to the goddess Athena.
Walking to the Acropolis is an excursion in itself from all there is to do along the way, whether during the day or evening. If visiting the Acropolis during the day walking through the neighborhood of Plaka is recommended. Along both sides of the long walking street are shops, from high-end to bazaar bantering. There are great cafes and outdoor restaurants, or as they’re referred to, tavernas.
If visiting during the evening the only problem is the night won’t stop from all the choices of entertainment. It is highly recommended to see a performance at the ancient outdoor theater of Herod Atticus, which is at the base of the Acropolis. At night the white marble gleams, and you can’t help but feel like you’re in a magical place hearing music or watching theater before your eyes, yet looking up and seeing the moon and the city below – it is truly mesmerizing.
Dining at one of the many restaurants around the Acropolis offers a magnificent view, and only a short walk down to the marketplace of Monastaraki, where there is an assortment of bars, cafes and clubs.
Since the Metro, the subway system has made traveling throughout Athens accessible and simple. There is so much to do from going to Mount Lycabettos for an aspiring view of Athens while drinking an espresso or frappe, or taking a stroll through the posh neighborhood of Kolonaki, or a walk through the National Gardens.

UNITY AND INSPIRATION
Greece Conquers a Tumultuous Modern History as a Victor

Stamp celebrating victory in the Greek Civil War in 1949.

By Joanna James
Special to the iPulse

Greece has preserved its culture, history, religion, language and traditions throughout years of strife and war. Through that strong sense of identity, a thriving Eastern European country has arose.
Greece’s classical era is revered for its wise philosophers, beautiful art, advanced medicine, the birthplace of democracy and the creation of the Olympic Games – yet the modern history of Greece has also been impressive for its message of unity and inspiration.
The Greeks were ruled for 400 years by the Ottoman Empire, and did not attain independence until 1829. During that oppressive rule and brutal regime, the Greeks risked their lives to teach their children the Greek alphabet, religion and traditions to carry on their proud heritage. After fighting for independence for eight years against the Turks, the Greeks were finally free.
But after only a short time to rebuild the country, came a cruel time in the world’s history that dangerously risked ruin throughout all of Europe. During World War II the Nazis occupied Greece from 1940 until 1944. The Nazis caused havoc throughout Greece – burning villages, going on killing sprees, impoverishing the people, destroying landmarks, and depleting the currency’s worth – Greece was left in ruin once again.
During the chaotic aftermath came Civil War from 1946 until 1949. Families were torn apart because of political beliefs. The country was divided, to follow communism or return to its roots of a democratic government.
The people were engrossed in turmoil with brothers fighting brothers. Greece received aid from the United Kingdom and soon after the United States, to overcome the communists and become a western ally. Although Greece was helped to join NATO, soon after a military dictatorship rose in rank and took control from 1967 until 1974.
Once again the Greek people rallied together and students led in efforts against the junta. Greeks were not going to be controlled any longer, and that independent nature has remained since the constitution was created in 1975.
Since the early 80s until present Greece has reformed its policies and economics to rise in stature and progress forward as a modern country within the European Union. Under the current administration, the budget deficit was reduced, inflation rates have been controlled and exchange rates regulated so that the country was given membership into the EU Monetary Union in 2001. Although Greece continues to grow as an international body, it has played catch-up in a rather short period of time to become a thriving country rich of history and culture.