We passed this house while heading towards the Temple of Olympian Zeus. This area is called the Anafiotika. It  is the cluster of small houses built on the slopes of the Acropolis above the Plaka. It's like being on a Greek Island. It's named Anafiotika because the original inhabitants were stone masons who came from the island of Anafi to build Athens in the mid 19th century.

The Arch of Hadrian is a monumental gateway resembling – in some respects - a Roman triumphal arch. It spanned an ancient road from the center of Athens, Greece, to the complex of structures on the eastern side of the city that included the Temple of Olympian Zeus. It has been proposed that the arch was built to celebrate the adventus (arrival) of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and to honor him for his many benefactions to the city, on the occasion of the dedication of the nearby temple complex in 131 or 132 AD.^[1]

The Temple of Olympian Zeus (Greek: Ναός του Ολυμπίου Διός or Naos tou Olimpiou Dios), also known as the Olympieion, is a colossal ruined temple in the centre of the Greek capital Athens that was formerly dedicated to Zeus, king of the Olympian gods. Construction began in the 6th century BC during the rule of the Athenian tyrants, who envisaged building the greatest temple in the ancient world, but it was not completed until the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD some 650 years after the project had begun.

During the Roman periods it was renowned as the largest temple in Greece and housed one of the largest cult statues in the ancient world.

That's all we had time for...We had to head back to the hotel to meet up with the tour group...I guess this is goodbye...Athens..We shalt return in 6 days after the cruise before we set off for Rome..

By the way, sample our dinner on mooncake festival in athens...

Our dinner, thanks to the damm filling Gryos...We can decided to celebrate moon cake festival in our room with our ration. Very nice and round moon at Athens..

Tommorrow, it is the port of Piraeus and then our first port of Mykonos...

Houses around plaka area. Nice balcony

It is recognised as one of the most impressive stoa in the Athenian Agora. It was built by and named after King Attalos II of Pergamon who ruled between 159 BC and 138 BC.

Typical of the Hellenistic age, the stoa was more elaborate and larger than the earlier buildings of ancient Athens. The stoa's dimensions are 115 by 20 metres wide and it is made of Pentelic marble and limestone. The building skillfully makes use of different architectural orders. The Doric order was used for the exterior colonnade on the ground floor with Ionic for the interior colonnade.

This combination had been used in stoas since the Classical period and was by Hellenistic times quite common. On the first floor of the building, the exterior colonnade was Ionic and the interior Pergamene. Each story had two aisles and twenty-one rooms lining the western wall. The rooms of both stories were lighted and vented through doorways and small windows located on the back wall.

There were stairways leading up to the second story at each end of the stoa. The building is similar in its basic design to the Stoa that Attalos' brother, and predecessor as king, Eumenes II had erected on the south slope of the Acropolis next to the theatre of Dionysus. The main difference is that Attalos' stoa had a row of rooms at the rear on the ground floor that have been interpretted as shops

After this...time to head for the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

We had a gryos each for lunch and a can of coke to share. Damage: 9 Euros . It is really nice and yummy.

Street Art in Athens...

Some of the artwork we see while walking around in Plaka...

After lunch, we took the metro to visit the Kerameikos archaeological site

Kerameikos site also boast a museum where archaeological pieces from the site are actually housed. I took quite some pictures..I guess this one is what the viewers of the blog would like..

The hot outdoors....

The area took its name from the city quarter or dēmos of Kerameis, which in turn derived its name from the word κέραμος (keramos, "pottery clay") from which the English word "ceramic" is derived. The "Inner Kerameikos" was the former "potter's quarter" of the city and "Outer Kerameikos" covers the cemetery and also the dēmosion sēma (a public burial monument) where Pericles delivered his funeral oration in 431 BC. The cemetery was also where the Iera Odos (the Sacred Way, i.e. the road to Eleusis) began, along which the procession moved for the Eleusinian Mysteries.

The walls of Kerameikos

The view of the Parthenon from Kerameikos, Street of Tombs...

Temple of Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian awaits...

The Parthenon (ancient Greek: Παρθενών) is a temple of the Greek goddess Athena, built in the 5th century BC on the Athenian Acropolis. It is the most important surviving building of Classical Greece, generally considered to be the culmination of the development of the Doric order. Its decorative sculptures are considered one of the high points of Greek art.

The Parthenon is regarded as an enduring symbol of ancient Greece and of Athenian democracy, and is considered one of the world's greatest cultural monuments. The Greek Ministry of Culture is currently carrying out a program of restoration and reconstruction.

If you notice the small frame of the lady on the far right of the picture, you will know how great a builder the athenians were. Marble blocks moved meticulously in place  all without the aid of  modern day machinery. That makes it even more amazing. You can really feel their dedication to their God...

Another view of the Parthenon. The sky was really that blue that day!

The Marble Carvings...Witnessing the wear and tear of time.

The Erechtheum (Greek: Έρέχθειον Erechtheion) is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens in Greece, notable for a design that is both elegant and unusual.

The Theatre of Dionysus was a major open air theatre in ancient Greece, built at the foot of the Athenian Acropolis and forming part of the temenos of "Dionysus Eleuthereus". Dedicated to Dionysus, the god of plays and wine (among other things), the theatre could seat as many as 17,000 people, making it an ideal location for ancient Athens' biggest theatrical celebration, the Dionysia. It became the prototype for all theatres of ancient Greece.

It was the first stone theatre ever built — cut into the southern cliff face of the Acropolis — and the birthplace of Greek tragedy. The remains of a restored and redesigned Roman version can still be seen at the site today.

Word of caution: If you don't like crazy crowds! Then start your hike up the Acropolis as early as 7am location. And not to mention, it will be cooler and probably get better light for photography.

Μια και δεν μπορω να βρω τον αστακο που ζητησε η Ν, και επειδη οι φθινοπωρινες αναρτησεις της Δ με τα κιτρινα φυλλα μου θυμιζουν οτι ηρθε το φθινοπωρο, αποφασισα να γυρισω στο καλοκαιρι και ανεσυρα απο το καλοκαιρινο αρχειο μου μια επισκεψη στην υπεροχη ταβερνα του Βεντουρή στον Αμπελά της Παρου.

Η ταβερνα ανοιξε το 1974 και απο τοτε προσφερει στους πελάτες της φρέσκο ψάρι και θαλασσινα, που τα ψαρευει ο καπεταν Γιώργης και τα παιδιά του.

Ο καπεταν Γιωργης βγαινει καθε μερα για ψαρεμα και καθε βραδι πριν φυγει για την ψαρια ειναι στην ταβερνα με το αστραφτερο του βλεμμα.

Στην κουζινα κουμαντο κανει η κυρα Ελένη, η γυναικα του καπεταν Γιωργη,  παντα με το χαμογελο στα χειλη.

Καθε σοβαρη απολαυση απαιτει απο τον υποψηφιο απολαυσία την κατασίγαση των ενστικτων, ωστε να κυριαρχει κατα τη διαρκεια της πραξεως η κριση, η μνημη, οι αισθησεις να ειναι κρυσταλλινες και συντονισμενες στην εντελεια.

Αυτο πρακτικά σημαινει οτι ποτε δεν τρως τον αστακο με αδειο στομαχι.

Ξεκιναμε λοιπον με ντοματοκεφτεδες, κι ενα ουζακι για να "ζεσταθουμε".

Συνεχιζουμε με κατι πιο κοντα στη θαλασσα, μπαρμπουνια ψαρεμενα ωρες πριν και ψημενα στα καρβουνα απο την Αργυρώ, τη μαστορισσα της κουζινας. Και συνοδευουμε με λευκο κρασι.

Και τωρα ηρθε η ωρα για το επικεντρο της βραδιας.

Το βαρος του αστακου ηταν 1 κιλο και 300 γραμμαρια, τελειο μεγεθος.

Αυγωμενος πληρως.

Τι να πω παραπάνω, οπως λεει και ο Πανας "ανασταινει και ...".

Αγαπητοί φίλοι,

Από τις 10/10/2008 το φόρουμ του GreekChess.com μεταφέρθηκε σε ενιαίο σέρβερ μαζί με το κύριο σάιτ. Οι ανανεώσεις, τα νέα post και τα καινούργια σχόλια είναι πλέον προσβάσιμα, μαζί με το προηγούμενο υλικό, ΜΟΝΟ από το link

www.greekchess.com/forum

Eνημερώστε λοιπόν τις συνδέσεις, τα favorites και τα link σας! Και φυσικά σας ευχαριστούμε ακόμη μία φορά για την υποστήριξη που μας παρέχετε επισκεπτόμενοι το GreekChess.com!

Journey to Greece - July 4th - 12th, 2009

Days 1 & 2 - New York / Athens / Delphi - Depart U.S. and arrive Athens. Drive to Delphi, the ancient site of homage and pilgrimage. Time permitting, we view artifacts from in and around Delphi at the local museum.

Day 3 - Visit the spectacular sanctuary site of Apollo at Delphi, including the sanctuary from where the "oratories" of Delphi dispensed words of the gods to faithful pilgrims. Later, drive north to the monastic center at Meteora.

Day 4 - We will trek (by stairs from the road) to the mountain-top monasteries of Meteora, taking time to tour the Grand Monastery built on top of the region's highest rock, St. Steven's, the only women's convent among the otherwise male communities, and the beautiful Varlem Monastery, which houses a trove of relics, icons, crosses and ecclesiastical treasures. After lunch, we drive north, visiting the tomb of the father of Alexander the Great at Vergina.

Day 5 - Visit Thessaloniki and Philippi, two cities dear to Paul and to whose inhabitants he wrote letters.

Day 6 - Early morning departure from Thessaloniki for Athens. In the afternoon we visit the acropolis and its temple to Athina and the ancient agora.

Day 7 - Today we visit Corinth and Cenchrae, home to Pauline communities, and the 2nd Millennium BC city of Mycenea, viewing its ancient acropolis and famous beehive burial.

Day 8 - Free day to enjoy an optional boat excursion to one or more nearby islands, a relaxing trip to the beach or extra time to explore Athens, the National Museum, the Cycladic or Byzantine Museums, the Temple of Zeus, or sunset at Sounion.

Day 9 - Return to the US or continue to the Holy Land.
July 4th - 12th, 2009 (Approximately $3,250 - $3,500, plus applicable security and departure taxes and fuel surcharges) Includes:
-Round trip airfare from New York to Athens
-Daily breakfast and dinner
-Superior Hotel accommodations
-Tour manager and Guides
-Ground transportation via private motor coach
-Entrance fees to sites visited

Not included:
-Airport Taxes and Fuel Charges (Estimated $175-300), which will be calculated at the time of final payment
-Lunches/Tips/Personal spending money
Discounted Price:
The discounted price is in effect until April 3. After that date, reservations may be made on a space-available basis for an additional $100 plus any increase in airfare.

The Heart of the Holy Land - July 11th - 22nd, 2009

Days 1 & 2 - New York / Tel Aviv / Galilee - Depart the US. Arrive in Tel Aviv, travel by bus to Galilee.

Day 3 - Megiddo / Caesarea / Muhraqa / Mt Tabor - The morning starts with visits to the historic sites of Megiddo (Armageddon), Caesarea on the coast, where Paul came often and was imprisoned, and Muhraqa on Mt. Carmel, the site that commemorates the contest of Elijah with the priests of Baal (1 Kings 18) before undertaking a spectacular ride up Mt. Tabor, where we remember Debborah and Barak and the transfiguration of Jesus

Day 4 - Nazareth / Cana / Sepphoris / Mt. Arbel - Today we spend time in Nazareth, home of Mary and childhood home of Jesus. We continue to Cana, where Mary inspired Jesus' first prophetic miracle. While there, we may speak with a local Israeli-Arab-Christian about historical and contemporary experiences in the region before continuing on to Sepphoris, a town built during Jesus' childhood and Mt. Arbel, from where we will view Galilee

Day 5 - Katzrin / Banyas / Hatzor Dan / Mt. of the Beatitudes - Today, we head north to the restored Talmudic village at Katzrin, which shows us how people lived in the region in ancient times, before heading to the Old Testament sites of Banyas and Hatzor Dan, the northernmost city of ancient Israel, known for its rushing springs,nd the Mt. of the Beatitudes, commemorating the Sermon on the Mount

Day 6 - Galilee / Capernaum / Tabgha / Magdala/ Ginnosar / Bethsaida / Chorazim / Kursi - The focus today will be many sites around the Lake of Galilee, reminiscent of Jesus and his Galilean ministry. Among the stops will be Capernaum, Tabgha (visited by the pilgrim Egeria), Magdala, home town of Mary Magdalene, the ancient boat at Ginnosar, Bethsaida and Chorazim, cities cursed by Jesus, and Kursi, where the miracle of the swine is commemorated

Day 7 - Jordan Valley / Belvoir / Qumran / Bethany - We journey down the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem, stopping to renew baptismal promises in the Jordan River and pay visits to a Crusader castle at Belvoir, Qumran, site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Bethany, home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

Day 8 - Bethlehem / Jerusalem - Travel to Bethlehem, Church of the Nativity, Shepherds' Field and more, time permitting

Day 9 - Jerusalem / Bethsaida / Western Wall / Temple Mount - Today we will spend the entire day in Jerusalem, starting with the Bethesda Pools, also known as the church of St. Anne, the Ecce Homo arch and Lithostratos before exploring the Temple Mount and the Western Wall

Day 10 - Jerusalem / Mt. of Olives / Holy Sepulchre - We first visit the Mt. of Olives, then continue to the church of the Holy Sepulchre (a.k.a. the church of the Resurrection), Mt. Zion and St. Peter in Gallicantu, with its ancient steps

Day 11 - Free day to visit the Holocaust Memorial, Israel Museum,
OR:
Optional Excursion to Petra
Day 11 (optional) Petra
We take an early morning departure for a full-day excursion to the rose-red city of Petra. Explore a city dating back to __, viewing private homes, places of worship, government and administrative buildings along with the city's famous treasury and monastery. We return to Jerusalem late in the evening

Day 12 - Return to the US

Not included:
- Airport Taxes and Fuel Charges (Estimated $175-300), which will be calculated at the time of final payment
- Lunches/Tips/Personal spending money

Discounted Price
The discounted price is in effect until April 5. After that date, reservations may be made on a space-available basis for an additional $100 plus any increase in airfare.

Σεμινάριο “Greece and Poland – Partners for mutual investments”

Η Ελληνική Πρεσβεία στη Βαρσοβία και ο Σύλλογος Ελλήνων Επιχειρηματιών στην Πολωνία «Ερμής», οργανώνουν -στις 14 Οκτωβρίου και ώρα 17.00- το πρώτο Ελληνο-Πολωνικό επιχειρηματικό Σεμινάριο στη Βαρσοβία (Ξενοδοχείο Marriott Al. Jerozolimskie 65/79) με θέμα «Greece and Poland – Partners for mutual investments». 

Στο σεμινάριο θα παρουσιασθούν και σχολιασθούν τα πλαίσια επενδύσεων των δύο χωρών, καθώς και οι προοπτικές και δυνατότητες περαιτέρω ενίσχυσης και προώθησής των αμοιβαίων επενδύσεων. Παράλληλα θα γίνει ιδιαίτερη αναφορά στην διμερή συνεργασία, μεταξύ των δύο χωρών, σε τομείς που παρουσιάζουν ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον, όπως ενέργεια, τουρισμός, κατασκευές κ.άλλοι τομείς.

Από πλευράς της πολωνικής κυβερνήσεως θα παρευρεθεί ο Υφυπουργός Εθνικής Οικονομίας, κος Marcin Korolec ο οποίος μαζί με τον Πρέσβη της Ελλάδος στην Βαρσοβία, κο Παντελή Καρκαμπάση θα απευθύνουν σύντομο χαιρετισμό. 

Εκπρόσωπος του Ελληνικού Κέντρου Επενδύσεων θα παρουσιάσει την Ελλάδα ως τόπο επενδυτικού προορισμού, με έμφαση στους κλάδους που παρουσιάζουν ανταγωνιστικά πλεονεκτήματα και μπορούν να προσελκύσουν δυνητικούς Πολωνούς επενδυτές, ενώ ανάλογη παρέμβαση από πολωνικής πλευράς θα υπάρξει από τον Πρόεδρο της Συνομοσπονδίας Πολωνών Εργοδοτών.

Ο Σύλλογος Ελλήνων Επιχειρηματιών στην Πολωνία «Ερμής» θα κάνει λόγο για τις ευκαιρίες για τους Έλληνες επενδυτές πού παρουσιάζει η Πολωνία, ενώ από τον τραπεζικό όμιλο Polbank-EFG θα υπάρξει αναφορά στις δυνατότητες ανάπτυξης και εξέλιξης της πολωνικής αγοράς.

It started, as a number of my food and drink obsessions have done, with the wanderings of my childhood family holidays in mainland Greece. We covered countless miles on winding mountain roads and desolate rocky coastlines and in the car there was always a dust-covered bottle of sour cherry syrup, waiting to quench our thirsts when a suitably remote guesthouse had been found.

It tastes nice of course, but I think my fondness for this sticky concoction comes mainly from its stubborn refusal to mix with anything. Blood may be thicker than water, but a good sour cherry syrup is thicker than engine oil. It creates crazy patterns as it slips beneath the surface and swirling scarlet strands when I whisk it up with a fork. They remind me of the convection tracking in fire-safety videos.

Thanks to my Europe-roaming parents I have a bottle of this wonderful stuff (pictured), but it is fast running out. My searches in the UK have only unearthed watery imitations that defeat the whole point – does anyone know where I can find the real stuff?

I thought maybe if I boiled it...??? I succeeded in ruining a perfectly good tea bag. Earl Gray, no less.

I don't really know what is occurring, but I'd say the closest description is the 'water cure' at the Turkish baths in Budapest. I took a single mouthful of the salty sulfur water at the baths (out of the spigot intended for drinking), and it was warm and creepy, but bearable. The Santorini tap water is in the same genre, but not as curative. Just plain old gross.

As a coincidence (or is it???), I caught a small bit of 'Erin Brokovich' on the TV while using the wifi in the reception area earlier today. Just enough to remind me that the lawsuit was about poisonous water caused by PG&E. Just enough to feel a little tiny bit uncomfortable about all that I have consumed while on this trip.

In the same vein, I had my first glass of Greek wine today. A white wine apparently made in the traditional style. I had a sip, and I didn't like it. The flavor was strange. Like herbs maybe. I couldn't quit put my finger on it, but it was familiar.

I took another sip.

Oregano?

No.

Basil?

No.

Thyme?
No.

Mold?

Without a doubt.

Probably it came from a bottle that was corked, but I'm not sure. I know there's a whole world of wine flavors. Is mildew a legitimate flavor profile?

Meanwhile, the hotel I'm staying at sells a glass of local white wine out of a box (less chance of corkage!) for 3 euro. However, if moldy is just the way it tastes, I really don't want to waste the money. Thus, for now, I'll just stick with my bottled water. On the other hand, tomorrow is my birthday (how weird is that???), so maybe I'll live large and order up a glass of the box wine then? And I'm definitely getting some calamari.

Meanwhile, I had a strange night. After a solid week or more in hostels (and listening to people snore in all forms and fashion), I was so looking forward to peace and quiet. However, the universe had other plans. First, there was the wind. It got up to 45mph, and the sound of that is something else. At the very least, it's not something I'm accustomed to, and some primitive instinct inside me finds it a little bit alarming. Especially when I'm on an island.

Next, there was my room. Not to pick on it, but the construction quality is little bit shoddy. The window has two panels – one glass and another wood – and they fit together and are held in place by a metal hinge that reminds me of a bobby pin. One strong breeze and they both come flying open.

Furthermore, the door to the room is jimmied into place, and a solid inch of daylight peers through when it's shut. However, they have thoughtfully provided a sheet on a curtain rod, which I suppose is to try to block out the light or the breeze or ??? With respect to the door, the only thing that keeps it from flying open is a deadbolt which fits loosely in its slot. It's a very casual arrangement from a security perspective, and if I knew I wouldn't have to pay for the damage, I'd kind of be curious to see if I could body slam the door open using just my weight. I suspect I could.

Thus, due to the questionable craftsmanship and the intense winds, the door and windows spent the night slamming open and closed and creaking and straining and rattling against the deadbolt. It was incredibly noisy, and I probably woke up six or seven times. Then I would just lay in the darkness and listen to the wind and marvel at the fact that I'm lying in a bed in Santorni, Greece and my stomach is turning a little too much and does that water just taste bad or does the bad taste serve as a warning, like the stink applied to natural gas?

(Now you know why that little snippet of Erin Brokovich was particularly alarming...)

If the wind and the slamming and the creaking weren't enough, there was the crying. At first, while still asleep, I thought it was a child. Then I realized it was a dog. In my sleepy confusion, I thought maybe it was in the courtyard of the hotel. I got up to look for it and maybe give it something to eat (I don't have much in the room, but I do have some milk, some eggs, and an unlimited supply of hideous water). There was no one there but the wind.

I went back to bed, fell asleep, and heard it again. At this point, I realized it was coming from above my head, on the other side of the hotel. It cried and cried and cried, and I could occasionally hear it shake and the sound of a chain around its neck. I figured it must be afraid of all the wind or cold (or both), and it made me incredibly sad.

Today, I went looking and discovered a dog tied up behind a house near the hotel. I talked to the people here and they agreed that it was probably the same one I heard crying, that it's always tied up, and that it “isn't very nice.” I hate these kinds of situations. As much as I'm reminded of the magic in the world, it's also hard to deny that people can be thoughtless idiots, if not worse.

If I were at home, I would go and talk to the owners and maybe even see if they would give me the dog or let me buy it from them. Anything to give it a better life. Here, and in these circumstances (with three weeks of backpacking left to do), I feel so helpless. I had to give myself firm talk about the insanity of trying to rescue a Greek dog. Or take it with me. Although if I can figure out where, I may go and buy it some meat or at least a bone. A birthday present to us both.

Speaking of birthdays, I was looking for a quote for tomorrow's blog, and I ran across one so simple and yet profound, that it kind of made me tear up. As an added point of significance, it was said by Jonathan Swift, the writer that 'invented' my name (Vanessa) as a nickname for a student of his.

Moreover, it is a sentiment that has come to exemplify how I intend to live my life: by following my instincts, my heart, my emotions, and my gut. By noticing coincidences and doing what feels right. By being flexible and open and real. And by not being afraid and trusting the universe to throw out a safety net when I need it. And those ideals - as simple, as elusive, as liberating and as complicated as they are - can be summarized a little bit like this:

May you live all the days of your life.

So now we live in the past with our photo collection; dreaming of a time—hopefully sooner than later—when we can spend an afternoon checking off items to pack and hearing the zipper sound one last time before departure. Mosquito coils and netting near the top, always.

Safety, love and success to Mrs. Patti Lew Wilkinson as she embarks on
a campaign to Colorado to help secure a big win for the blue team in
this year's election.

Steelers have the week off.

Enjoy these photos and your Sunday, even if the Steelers are not playing. I know it's going to be hard.

Plan D // Images

The rankings however were compiled just before the recent £50 billion bail-out by the UK, the nationalisation of the Icelandic banks and the larger US bail-out.

The website has the co-authors interviewed from the 3rd to the 7th of October. The report itself was published on the 8th October.

RANKINGS

1. Canada

2. Sweden

3. Luxembourg

4. Australia

5. Denmark

6. Netherlands

7. Belgium

8. New Zealand

9. Ireland

10. Malta

11. Hong Kong

12. Finland

13. Singapore

14. Norway

15. South Africa

16. Switzerland

17. Namibia

18. Chile

19. France

20. Spain

21. Barbados

22. Bahrain

23. Slovak Republic

24. Brazil

25. Estonia

26. Austria

27. Panama

28. Mauritius

29. Kuwait

30. Qatar

31. United Arab Emirates

32. Trinidad and Tobago

33. Senegal

34. Israel

35. Portugal

36. Iceland

37. Cyprus

38. Botswana

39. Germany

40. United States

41. Lithuania

42. Peru

43. El Salvador

44. United Kingdom

45. Greece

46. Benin

47. Costa Rica

48. Malawi

49. Guyana

50. Malaysia

51. India

52. Puerto Rico

53. The Gambia

54. Montenegro

55. Mexico

56. Croatia

57. Czech Republic

58. Jordan

59. Ghana

60. Suriname

61. Brunei Darussalam

62. Latvia

63. Saudi Arabia

64. Kenya

65. Jamaica

66. Honduras

67. Zambia

68. Burkina Faso

69. Slovenia

70. Sri Lanka

71. Pakistan

72. Philippines

73. Republic of Korea

74. Romania

75. Thailand

76. Madagascar

77. Colombia

78. Cote d'Ivoire

79. Italy

80. Bulgaria

81. Hungary

82. Cameroon

83. Georgia

84. Oman

85. Tunisia

86. Paraguay

87. Nigeria

88. Armenia

89. Morocco

90. Dominican Republic

91. Bolivia

92. Malia

93. Japan

94. Tanzania

95. Moldova

96. Bosnia and Herzegovina

97. Poland

98. Nicaragua

99. Venezuela

100. Uruguay

101. Guatemala

102. FYR Macedonia

103. Syria

104. Albania

105. Nepal

106. Mozambique

107. Russian Federation

108. China

109. Uganda

110. Serbia

111. Egypt

112. Ukraine

113. Vietnam

114. Turkey

115. Bangladesh

116. Azerbaijan

117. Taiwan, China

118. Ecuador

119. Mauritania

120. Mongolia

121. Indonesia

122. Zimbabwe

123. Tajikistan

124. Kazakhstan

125. Cambodia

126. Burundi

127. Chad

128. Ethiopia

129. Argentina

130. East Timor

131. Kyrgyz Republic

132. Lesotho

133. Libya

134. Algeria

Yes. That's right.

The UK lies behind Peru and El Salvador.

Now given this report was a survey of the world's economists whose advice our banks were no doubt taking; should we believe it?

Are the UK's banks really behind Peru, El Salvador and Senegal?

Or is it an accurate representation that is slightly out of date, compiled as it was slightly before the bail-outs?

That must depend on whether you believe the bail-outs will work.

If reports are to be believed the Royal Bank of Scotland is next in line to be nationalised tomorrow. If that happens then there will be further pressure on the remaining UK bank's to be nationalised too. The banking sector could be picked off one by one by the market and the taxpayer forced to pick up the tab.

On that Iain Dale post there have already been comments about the English taxpayer bailing out the Scottish bank.

It must be a pity, to all those who carp, that Scotland is not already independent.

An independent Scotland with a similar oil fund like our neighbour Norway could be similarly insulated from these turbulent times.

It would also have the economic levers to maintain its economy best, not just for the South-East of England as remains the case today. Remember Eddie George, the former Governor of the Bank of England: Unemployment in the north is a price worth paying for affluence in the South!

Although the credit crunch is global, take a look back at those rankings.

Sweden, Luxembourg, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands. All small countries lying in the top 10.

Even Ireland, who have recently guaranteed all deposits in their banks, are sitting 9th.

The argument that Scotland is too small to be financially unstable is farcical! I don't hear anyone saying that Denmark is too small and should be run from Berlin. (Not since the days of Adolf Hitler and the Second World War anyway!)

As countries large and small struggle with the credit credit crunch from the U.S. and Russia down to Iceland with its 300 000 population, this population argument of independence must be seen to be invalid. Iceland, with a population slightly smaller than North Lanarkshire, isn't exactly Miramont Gardens in Pimlico!

What matters now is that we take the right decisions to get out this mess.

Those decisions may be different for each country. They may even be different for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

That's why its important key economic levers are devolved away from Westminster.

Otherwise the Eddie George syndrome will hamper 'the North' recovering for years.

Hotel San Antonio, Rodos - Greece

This resort has been more or less closed down at least since 2005. I'm not familiar with details but it looks pretty OK from outside. During my stay in 2005 there was an old woman living and we saw her often watering the flowers and sweeping the patio. 2006 I did not make any special observations but 2007 and 2008 looked like the house was deserted completely.

Actually, there are several premises that look similarly forgotten though it does not mean they really are abandoned. They just wait better days to come. Let's hope there is really good days ahead for all.

Street artist.

He is painting the Greek Orthodox Church of St Evangelismos at Mandraki harbor. Despite good position selected in shade of threes it may take some days to accomplish concluding the pace.

Painting is something I'd love to do. Unfortunately I have not been able to release my secret abilities in field of painting arts. I still have faith in that some fine day the will be an awakening for me. A half a dozen of different paintings with sunflowers and blue skies would do me fine.

Mobiles and motorbikes at the Mandraki harbor.

We are all so in mobiles today. In Greece it's even more common to use a mobile all the time. Modern greek without a mobile would be similar to ancient statue without tread marks. Must have a mobile, the newer the better. Same with motorbikes, scooters and cars.

I'm glad this picture proves otherwise at least once. There is an old BMW that strongly looks like something from 1950's. No everything needs to be up to the latest model. Most things however seem to lose their value with more short life span than let's say about 25 years ago. This change I believe has been even more rapid in Greece. It's less than a decade as I recall seeing a lot of reasonably old vehicles in daily operation. Today this seldom happens.

Triton II arriving back home.

Loaded of tired but supposedly happy SCUBA divers the boat returns from day long trip. This happens every day with 45 min boat trip from Mandraki Harbour to the dive site in Kalithea bay. Spectators can relax on the boat in shaded or unshaded areas. They can naturally snorkel, swim, sunbathe or explore the bay.

Kalithea bay is something I have not been able to discover yet. It's great to have something to look forward. The Kalithea spa building complex is a distinguished cultural monument build by Italians during 1920's. In his book "Reflections on a Marine Venus" Lawrence Durrell writes that Gideon was addicted to drink the sulfurous water for his health.

Rodos Public Library.

The quiet sanctuary in the heart of vigorous tourist stream of Rodos old town. This is the place Durrell visited busily while he stayed in Rodos during 1940's. It's very clean and tidy with exquisite inside garden. Seldom any crowds there.

There is a massive stockroom for newspapers but it's not allowed to enter. Maybe they are too afraid of cigarette smoking Sunday researchers might start it on fire. I suggest you drop by in case you ever spot the place. There is a bronze plate in the door stating the name on the library front door less than 50 meters from Hippocrates square in Rhodes old tow. Other information, like opening hours may vary and they are given in paper below the plate.

Cheerio

Birth of Venus

Originally uploaded by Sandruz

Venus

In Roman mythology Venus is the parallel to the Greek Aphrodite, although Venus is more somewhat more subdued than Aprhodite.

Venus is a goddess of seduction and, in one group of rites and myth, she is associated with Roman wine fesitvals (Vinalia) and thus regarded as a mediator between Jupiter and the Roman people.

She is also the mother of Aeneas, who according to the poet Vergil is the founder of Rome.

And she was the lover of Mars, who with the mortal Rhea Silva begat the twin brothers Romulus and Remus.

Since Rome was named after Romulus, who after disposing of Remus became the first ruler of Rome, Venus plays a kind of dual role in the founding of Rome. As such, she was given a solemnity among the Romans that Aphrodite did not enjoy among the Greeks.

Venus' first known temple was built shortly after 295 BCE. And despite New Age and Jungian attempts to treat her as some pristine archetype, and others to link her to the Indian Vedic term for desire, her historical roots remain obscure.

However, it's clear that her character did develop, as most mythic entities do, along with sociopolitical changes in Rome. The influential aristocrat Sulla called her his "Protectress" and by the time of the Roman Empire, Venus was incorporated into the official pantheon.

In astronomy Venus is the second planet from the sun. Due to its brightness, Venus looks like a star and is accordingly called the "morning star" or "evening star."

» Aliens, Aphrodite, Cupid, Earth, Ishtar, Libra, Taurus

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I took this picture a couple of years ago. We made this robot as a promo for a comics exhibition in Thessaloniki (Greece). It was very fun to walk around the city with the robot!

Teleiwnei to mats kai i Ellada kerdise aneta. O charisteas evale dyo gkol. I ethniki pali den efage gkol. Tria paihnidia, tria sta tria, miden pathitiko (an prosthesoume kai to filiko sti Bratislava, 4 mats seri), o de Charisteas einai pleon deyteros skorer olwn twn epohwn meta ton Anastopoulo (den thewrw sygkrisimes tis epoxes i ta megethi, alla den pavei na einai sovaro katorthwma). Kathomoun de kai skeftomoun poioi paiktes tha mporousan na einai vasikoi se ayti tin ethniki kai na einai teleiws diaforetiki (pros to kalytero) i eikona tis ethnikis??? Poioi??? O Salpiggidis? o Ninis? o Stoltidis? o D. Papadopoulos? Kaneis tous!!! Kala, kala den einai vasikoi stis omades tous! Hwris logo, hwris kapoia epiheirimata, apla den mas aresei i ethniki omada, i opoia omws kerdizei averta (kerdise titlo, espase ta aspasta rekor), den trwei gkol kai kala-kala den kindynevei kan na faei kai apla, epeidi to ehoume stin idiosygkrasia mas ws Ellines, theloume na stayrwsoume to Rehagkel. Ayto einai to mono provlima mas! O Rehagkel omws apodeiknyei oti ektos apo kalos proponitis kai me kapoio sxedio, einai kai tyheros. Ton thelei o Theos. Kai elpizw na ton thelei gi arketo kairo akoma. Se ayto anaferetai kai o titlos tou sygkekrimenou post. Einai kati monadiko ston kosmo. Vreite mou kapoion allo proponiti pou katafere ayta pou katafere o rehagkel kai ton ehoun diarkws sto stohastro. Kaneis.

Twra, an kerdisoume tin Elvetia tin tetarti, tin afinoume me 4 vathmous se 4 paihnidia kai 8 vathmous pisw mas. Meta paizoume dyo mats me to Israil kai an den hasoume (akoma kai me dyo isopalies) pistevw ehoume tin prokrisi sto tsepaki mas. Elpizw tin tetarti sto mats me tin Elvetia na gemisei kai to gipedo. To Karaiskaki me kosmo einai pragmatika aporthito.

Mehri tin tetarti...

Greece Flyer

Detailed Itinerary

-Jessica

Looking down on a tiny courtyard in Parakia, Paros.

Inside one of the monasteries of the Meteora.

White and blue in the village of Oia, Santorini.

Inside the Palace of the Knights of St. John in Old Town, Rhodes.

Pink church in Oia, Santorini.

Kevrekidis Photography at Flickr 

Kevrekidis Photography at deviantART 

©2008 Jordan Kevrekidis

I'm talking more along the lines of life can really be that song filled romance story set in beautiful locations unravished by pollution or deforestation (at this moment inspired by Mama Mia, the scene is beautiful Greece), where my darling doesn't just look like Pierce Brosnan and sound like Brad Pitt (my castle, my ideals so shoosh to those of you question why those two!) but he's also naturally romantic and geniunely sensitive and initiative in manner. Then we would have tasteful witty conversations under a moonlit night and stare into the shadowed ocean and wonder about the many secrets it may hold.

Yes that 'room design' was inspired by Mama Mia. In fact that's what I'm going to call it. The Mama Mia Room...Honestly that movie touched me so deeply that each time Meryl Streep took a breath of fresh ocean air, I felt as though my lungs were being filled with them, but I'm straying now...so back to what I was trying to say.

The best stories aren't complicated ones, they are the ones which we can relate to. Mama Mia had the sadness of past, the strength of a woman, the bond of blood, the innocence of a child, the promise for a future and that flame of love, unrelinquished by time or event. A perfect chemistry that produces 'beautiful'

PS: I've never been to Greece so I'm planning make a trip there soon.