”Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who believed that something inside of them was superior to circumstance.”

--Bruce Barton

Me at Acropolis in Athens, Greece.

Recomendo que você faça o Citytour de meio dia ao chegar na cidade. Você vai conhecer muitos lugares interessantes e se for ficar mais alguns dias poderá visitar mais demoradamente o que lhe agradou. Visitas obrigatórias na cidade:

Pláka é o bairro boêmio de Atenas que fica aos pés da Acrópole. A partir do entardecer, o movimento de turistas e também de gregos é intenso. Você encontra bares, tavernas e discotecas além de lojas em ruelas simpáticas e arborizadas. Em cada esquina uma surpresa, uma mulher fazendo renda na porta de sua casa, um mágico encantando as crianças com as suas habilidades, ou ainda um ambulante assando espigas de milho na brasa. Divirta-se, a festa vai pela noite afora. 
Em Atenas tome cuidado com o trânsito. Lá também os motoristas não respeitam as faixas de pedestres e os carros são movidos a buzina.

    Ar fi multe de spus si multe de vizitat!Cu totii stim insa ca vacantele sunt intotdeauna prea scurte si niciodata nu avem timp sa vizitam totul!Eu v-am relatat ceea ce m-a impresionat cel mai mult pentru ca dupa o perioada scurta de timp,strazile si parthenonul au devenit deja prea banale si placerile mele au devenit escaladarea Lykavittosului,plimbarile prin Plaka,Pireas,Faliro,paralie pe care merita sa te plimbi,dar am sa continui in urmatorul articol ,in care am sa va mai povestesc si sa va arat poze cu si despre anii locuiti in metropola!

The documentary centers on the day of her second collection's photoshoot, with fascinating insights into the designer's inspirations. Directors Lachlan Monsted (Bethany's brother) and Joshua Finch joined forces in filming this documentary. An emphasis was firmly placed on capturing gorgeous visuals and lush location shots - capturing the mood of Bethany Joy's tea party inspired "Wasn't that a dainty dish?" Summer 08/09 collection.

Still photographer Abe Bastoli of Pennant Hills Studio has contributed the beautiful fashion photographs featured. Young musical talent Alex Lees composed two original musical compositions as the film's accompanying soundtrack. The resulting film has been published on Youtube, with already hundreds of views in the first few days.

Links:
Video Link 1
Video Link 2

ACROPOLIS
The new season for Acropolis has arrived!

Check out the website for the full range.

Links:
Acropolis Site

DONNA SGRO
STRANGE GAMES IN STORES AND ONLINE IN SEPTEMBER
Strange Games, the new Spring/Summer 2008/09 range for Donna Sgro, will be delivered in store early September. To coincide with this release, Donna Sgro is launching a new website (www.donnasgro.com), which will for the first time feature an online store.

Strange Games will be available in select boutiques from September. Stockists include:
Mood Paddington (Brisbane)
Forest (Melbourne)
Little Salon (Melbourne)
Lady (Melbourne)
Disrupt (Surry Hills)

Mood Paddington in Brisbane will receive the largest part of the range, and will stock key pieces such as the metallic mesh jacket and halter dresses. Little Salon in Melbourne will stock a selection of dresses from the range. Forest, Lady and Disrupt will stock accessories and some garments.
The new website development will include an online store. The online store will initially stock the Strange Games jersey range alonside current accessories and select pieces that may not be available in store.

Donna Sgro produces garments and accessories that feature high quality fabrication, with a unique take on graphic colour, cut and combination. With fabrics sourced from Japan and New Zealand, Strange Games is a tailored, ‘future-sportive’ range for women wanting an individual and high-spirited look.

For more information or to view the Strange Games range, contact Donna Sgro via website.

Links:
Donna Sgro Site

El mundialmente famoso Partenón de la Acrópolis de Atenas será sometido a trabajos de restauración a partir de 2009 y verá así su fachada occidental oscurecida por andamios durante tres años, dijeron funcionarios. 

El trabajo se centrará principalmente en la reparación de los daños causados por el levantamiento griego contra la dominación otomana en 1821, cuando la fachada fue dañada por unos 700 agujeros de bala, dijo el arquitecto Manolis Korres. 

La emblemática fachada occidental también ha sufrido los estragos de la humedad, que es tres veces mayor que la experimentada por las otras fachadas debido a su posición en relación con el sol. 

El Partenón sufrió también daños en los terremotos en 1981 y 1999. 

La decisión de iniciar un nuevo programa de restauración fue adoptada por el Consejo Superior de Arqueología, que también decidió, después de algún debate, el transporte de varios de los frisos de la fachada al nuevo Museo de la Acrópolis para su seguridad. 

Las piezas serán reemplazadas por copias en el Partenón.

Hello, hello...

The long-awaited English guide for Athens is out and about! I went to the office today to get my copy - I didn't want to take one from the stands, these are for the tourists - and took a long, hard look at the work produced over the past two months from the dedicated team of Lifo, the weekly Athenian magazine guide. I loved it! I know: My opinion doesn't count much cause I'm hugely biased since I wrote it; but still, when I saw the pictures, colours and funky layout, I finally exhaled.

Those of you presently in Athens or on your way to the city sometime during the summer, look it up, read it and enjoy it. It's for you anyway. And it's free. You can find it in hotel lobbies, in stands located in central tube stations (Syntagma, Thision, Monastiraki) and ast but not least, it is being handed out outside the Acropolis. You're bound to go there right?

Then, if you like, send me your feedback by email (my email is on the penultimate page of the guide). I really wanna know if you liked it.

I've uploaded the pic of the cover page so that you will recognise it if you see it.

Cheers!

Służewski Dom Kultury zaprasza serdecznie na „Noc z Herbertem” która odbędzie się 27. lipca o godz. 20:00 przy ul. J. S. Bacha 15. Bardzo duża część dzieła Poety poświęcona jest Grecji (wiersze, eseje, listy) – zachęcamy więc do obejrzenia spektaklu poetyckiego poświęconego kulturze helleńskiej. Grecja pojawi się w filmach, w koncercie muzycznym, tańcu. Zakończenie „Nocy z Herbertem” o 4 rano 28. lipca – dokładnie w dziesiątą rocznicę śmierci Autora „Labiryntu nad morzem”.  Dziękujemy za przybycie i wierzymy, że będziecie Państwo zadowoleni. Ewa Willmann – Dyrektor Służewskiego Domu Kultury

PHOTO: Herbert's draws of  Acropolis and part of text exposed in Warsaw  October 2006 (Photo of Betaki Lachtara)

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Two French magazines that enjoy wide readership - "Le Nouvel Obrservateur" and "GEO" -  have published special issues on Greece. "GEO" special issue (GEO Histoire No9), titled "La Grece Antique" is about the Hellenic world as the inventor of the polis, democracy, theatre and philosophy. The focus is on Greek civilization, culture, mythology and on geographical areas rich in cultural heritage such as Crete, Cyclades and the Peloponnese. In the editorial by Jaen-Luc Marty it is suggested that the definitive "summer journey" is a journey to the history of Greece, a land once inhabited by gods and heroes. The special issue of  "Le nouvel Observateur" ( 18.6.2008 ) is dedicated to the century of Pericles, featuring articles on the status of women in Athens, the building of the Acropolis, the sophists, the invention of democracy and the education system. Clause Weill in the editorial notes that the shortcomings of our contemporary political system and the need to understand what has gone wrong was the inspiration behind this special on the century of Pericles, a century described as a "momentum of democracy". Secretariat General of Information: World Media on Greece - Special Reports

01. Reveal Yourself
02. Atonement, Hear My Call
03. Red Redemption
04. Divine Cycle
05. Lead The Wake (regravada)
06. The Chosen One Will Make A Fine Sacrifice… (instrumental)
07. ...Revive From Oblivion

01. Reveal Yourself
02. Atonement, Hear My Call
03. Red Redemption
04. Divine Cycle
05. Lead The Wake (re-recorded)
06. The Chosen One Will Make A Fine Sacrifice... (instrumental)
07. ...Revive From Oblivion

In the sixth and seventh centuries B.C., Sardis was the capital city in the kingdom of Lydia (now Turkey).  It was the convergence of five trade routes and incredibly wealthy as a result.  Legend had it that King Midas washed himself in the Pactolus River that flowed next to the city in order to rid himself of the golden touch that plagued him.  As a result, the river was said to run with gold and bring riches to the people of Sardis.

The city protected its wealth in a citadel on an acropolis atop a fortified hill that rose one thousand feet above the plain.  Steep cliffs surrounded the city on three sides, and there was only one point of access, a narrow neck of land to the south.  Because of its natural defensibility, the city was called, “Sardis, the Impregnable.”

The king and the people believed that they were invulnerable while within the citadel.  They had turned away many would-be conquerors who tried to lay siege to the wealthy city over the years.  But twice, the city was conquered, and ironically, both overthrows occurred in exactly the same way.

Cyrus of Persia was the first to successfully overcome the stronghold in 547 B.C.  Fourteen days after laying siege to Sardis, Cyrus instructed his officers to tell all the soldiers that the first man to scale the wall would earn a reward.  Many men rushed to make it up the wall, but none succeeded.  Then, a soldier named Hyroeades remembered that he had witnessed one of the Lydians accidentally drop his helmet over the side of the wall the previous day.  Thinking he was unobserved, the soldier had come down the wall at the point that had seemed most dangerous and inaccessible to the Persians.

Because of the tremendous height of the cliffs at this point of the wall, the Lydians posted no guard above it.  Gathering his courage, Hyroeades retraced the soldier’s path and ascended the steep cliff.  Once the Persians realized it was possible, many more followed and joined Hyroeades in sacking the city.

Three hundred years later, in 214 B.C., Sardis was captured again in the exact same way by the army of Antiochus the Great of Syria.  His men scaled the wall at the steepest point and found it unguarded at the top.

While the people slept securely and unaware inside their fortress, Sardis was twice conquered by armies who came like a thief in the night.  The kings and the people assumed that no one would attack them where it was obvious that they were strong.  They became complacent in their vigilance and only invested their soldiers in their weaker areas.

Like Sardis, we become vulnerable when we make the mistake of thinking we no longer need to post a guard.  When we believe that we have mastered a particular temptation, we are in for a surprise.  We can’t stop building our walls and guarding our gates. It’s a lifelong process. When Satan sees that we took our guard down, he’ll tempt us in that very area.

I distinctly remember a men’s group meeting where a brother in Christ confessed to an affair he had been having. Convicted by that evening’s study, he trembled as he unburdened his heart before us. He asked for our prayers to help him end the affair and tell his wife.

Afterward, a few of us met with him to discuss what needed to happen next. At one point, he referred to another member of our group, who had confessed to an affair approximately six months earlier. My friend said, “When I heard him talk about his affair, I said to myself, ‘That will never happen to me.’” Only a few weeks after thinking that thought, my friend was deep into sin and deception as he cheated on his wife. Remember, an unguarded strength is our greatest weakness.

]]> http://greeceinsider.wordpress.com/?p=3 Sun, 29 Jun 2008 12:57:46 +0000 Greece Insider http://greeceinsider.wordpress.com/?p=3 We decided to start with something light.

This is the Acropolis of Athens, the most photographed venue of all of Greece.

It is mostly known for one of the buildings erected on top of it, the Parthenon, which was built 2,500 years ago in Classical Greece. It is the most looked-after archaelogical site in the country, and it's the ultimate symbol of the country's image abroad for most tourists.

Tourists and Greeks alike get to enjoy seeing the Acropolis lit up at night from anywhere near the city center. But only till 2:30 am. Because that's when, the switch goes down.

And here we ask, why?

Why is it that the country's ultimate symbol, the image that most people have associated with our country's name, the embleem that we believe symbolises what used to be the cradle of Democracy in the ancient world, needs to disappear after 2:30 am every night?

Did electricity get so expensive? Or did some bloat-headed idiot decide that no-one deserves to admire the Acropolis on a 24-hour basis?

What does it really take for someone to inform the Culture Ministry that when you spend billions each year to market yourself abroad, there's no point in trying to save on power and letting down tourists who are out late at night for a stroll.

This just doesn't make any sense.

Back on a ferry, my last of this trip. The Greek ferries rival small cruise ships, especially to the wealther destinations in the Cyclades. Unfortunately, the prices also reflect this, and my crappy NesCafe frappe costs me $5. I needed it though; this day was going to be a long one. Up at 7:30 to catch the 9AM ferry, Athens in the afternoon and evening, and then a flight to Tel Aviv, Israel, leaving at 2:20AM. Oof.

We pulled into Piraeus at 3PM, and I jetted into Athens for some sightseeing, first dropping my pack at a left luggage shop. Since both the Acropolis and left luggage closed at 7:30, I needed to burn some major tourism fuel and pack in the major sights very quickly. Liek Naples, everyone told me I would hate Athens; it's dirty, crowded, loud, I was told. And like Naples, I didn't think the city was that bad. Yes, there was a lot of graffiti and traffic, but there was a lot of energy in the quarters I explored -- Syndagma, Monastriraki and Plaka -- and I would definitely consider a longer stay.

Still experiencing the heat that blanketed Naxos, except now exacerbated by the concrete and steel of city structures, I did everything in my power to stay hydrated as I climbed the sun baked hill to the top of the Acropolis. The reward was witnessing the magnificence of one of the world's greatest ruins. The acropolis was originally a public area under Mycenaean rule. However, in the 12th century BC, the city elite converted the site into a mainly religious domain. The Parthenon, an architectural masterpiece with it's slightly bulging columns and meticulously mathematical construction, is the pièce de résistance. It really is incredible to think that thousands of years after their construction, we are still able to gaze upon these gorgeous structures.

I bounded down to the Agora, the public meeting place for ancient Athenians. While the ruins were in worse condition than the Acropolis, the Agora features the meeting place of the original Senate. I could almost feel the ghosts of Greek philosophers wandering the grounds, as they used to lecture and debate in the Agora.

Drained from the sun and intense sightseeing, I wandered back to Syndgama square -- the main city plateia, or square -- and right into a music festival, Music Day. And here I was trying to think how I would kill 5 hours lugging my pack around! I pulled up a grass seat and enjoyed live music and free WiFi as day slipped into night.

Getting to the airport was not as lucky. Greece, like other European nations, refuses to leap into the 21st century with the convenience of credit cards, and "cash only" is a common slogan even in places where one should be able to use a card. The subway, for example. Thinking the trip to the airport was only as much as a regular subway ticket, I had carefully planned out my money withdrawals to avoid extra bank fees. The airport trip was actually more expensive and I didn't have enough cash. Although there are brand spankin' new ticket machines everywhere, NONE of them take credit card! Even the window would not take a card, and I was forced to take out another $30 since that's the minimum at ATMs. Once again, I am convinced NYC is the most convenient city in the world.

The troubles didn't cease there, as my contact decided to float up into the nether regions of my eyeball. Of course, this had to happen once I got on the train, forcing me to transfer trains in permawink, start crying (to try to flush out the contact and because my dust and sun oil caked fingers hurt like a bitch when I stuck them in my eye) and then eventually gross out the entire train by having to take out my contacts in the middle of the car. Once at the airport, the flight desk wasn't even open yet. After dragging my huge pack all around the departures hall, I settled down for a piece of pizza ... that cost $9! Yes, $9. I was so hungry and frustrated at this point (not to mention had all those spare Euros thanks to the subway), that I bought it anyway. And even considered buying another.

Checking in, a huge group od Greek old biddies were milling about for the same flight, undoubtedly on their final pilgrimage in hopes of scoring a nice spot through the pearly gates. I snuck in before them in line, only to be told I had to pay a change fee at another counter across the hall, to which I had to lug my bag again. I think that was the last inconvenience, but I didn't really care at this point. I had become so Zen traveling alone. I realized that when I don't have someone to get worked up at or complain to, then I'll just deal and life is more pleasant. Obviously, I'm hoping to carry this over into when I'm actually with others.

[08.06.20] Athens

friday, 0:24pm, 2008 april 18 | athens, greece | model PARABOLOID

last night, i met up with my friend, who was already drunk. and while we waited for the alcohol to go down, i was finishing up a pitcher of strawberry margarita in metro phi bar. yum. wait wait wait. i'm not an alcoholic, i actually detest tequila, but the margarita in phi is awesome. why? because i've already downed a pitcher and i was fine, and that only means that it was not a strong mix. just enough.

this morning, i got my new cell phone, a nokia e61i! i absolutely love it, i can browse the net as it is wifi capable and  i can receive my pop emails (that includes my work and personal emails)... the only things i need from a mobile phone, aside from the SMS and call services. inexpensive, simple yet very very functional.

and this afternoon, i had a massage at my favorite spa. but instead of getting the usual swedish, shiatsu or thai massages, i got the ol' trusted Filipino Hilot in my private room. believe me, it's the best massage i've ever had.

Resumen de la carrera

Entre los dos grandes favoritos al título mundial se coló P. Solberg con su nuevo Impreza que parece haber empezado con bien pie para el pero con malo para su compañero Atkinson que rompía una racha de cuatro pruebas puntuando.

Sin duda sorprendente fue la cuarta posición del estonio Aava a los mandos del Citroën privado que consigue así puntuar por segunda rally consecutivo y que aventajó al español Sordo con el coche oficial que tuvo muy mala suerte con los pinchazos durante todo el rally.

El resto de pilotos que puntuaron fueron Wilson, Latvala muy lejos de la cabeza todo el rally y H. Solberg.

Este rally alza a Loeb a lo alto de la clasificación con 50 puntos, Hirvonen es segundo con 49 y tercero Atkinson con 31. Para encontrar a Sordo tendremos que bajar hasta la quinta posición con 25 puntos. Y en la de constructores Ford es líder con 81 puntos, segunda Citroën con 79 y tercera Subaru con 50.

La próxima cita será el rally de Turquía del 13 al 15 de junio, esperemos que Sordo tenga más suerte y le de guerra a su compañero Loeb.

At the top of the Acropolis in Athens are the ruins of the cultural center of Athens. Presently, many of the ruins are under reconstruction, not to rebuild the ruins but to make them less subject to pollution. The columns that been reinforced with lead in earlier times, but the lead is weakening the columns, so the lead is carefully being replaced with titanium. Even with all the reconstruction, the Acropolis is worth the visit, with great views of the cities and interesting ruins. Even the weather was nicer on top, with a gentle breeze that made the temperature bearable.