Opa !! 2010 Olympics dancing in the streets

Immigration in Greece

 The main goal of www.clandestinenglish.wordpress.com  is to collect and disseminate content about immigration in Greece – tha latter is part of the Fortress Europe regime, of course.  This means we try to bring together news and analyses on the issue for an english-speaking public.  We think it is very important to break the language barrier and let an international audience know what is going on with immigration in Greece.
 They left behind wars, juntas and devastated countries.  They sold their belognings in order to pay the traffickers.  Some people die at the border (30 deaths in the Aegean in 2010), some are stacked in detention centers. Wednesday, February 3: Revolt breaks out in the detention center in Venna. Friday, February 5: without a lawyer and an interpreter, 42 refugees were sentenced to imprisonment and deportation.

DEMONSTRATION  AGAINST REFUGEE CONCENTRATION CAMPS, Saturday, February 20, 1.00 pm Komotini, Thrace.

Greek Key a labyrinth?

Anonymous said...

It is my belief that the Greek key design is related to the labyrinth in some way. It may have preceded the labyrinth or was inspired by the labyrinth.

 

 In art and architecture, a meander is a decorative border constructed from a continuous line, shaped into a repeated motif. Such a design is also called the Greek fret or Greek key design, although these are modern designations. On the one hand, the name "meander" recalls the twisting and turning path of the Maeander River in Asia Minor, and on the other hand, as Karl Kerenyi pointed out, "the meander is the figure of a labyrinth in linear form". Among some Italians, these patterns are known as Greek Lines. The meander is a fundamental design motif in regions far from a Hellenic orbit: labyrinthine meanders ("thunder" pattern) appear in bands and as infill on Shang bronzes, and many traditional buildings in and around China still beargeometric designs almost identical to meanders. *Wikipedia*

A Greek Key is a regular repeat of interlocking right angles and vertical lines usually as a border treatment in art, architecture and textiles. It was a common decorative motif in Greek and Roman art and architecture and was often used in American Neoclassical (beginning in the mid 18th century) design--furniture, architecture and fabrics. American Greek Revival architecture and decorative arts-1800-1855.

 http://cottonopia.blogspot.com/2009/10/greek-key_09.html

Contemporary Greek Arts and Crafts

ETSY GREEK STREET TEAM is a group of artists who market their creations on Etsy.com.
more info in our blog
http://etsygreekstreetteam.blogspot.com/

 

 

The beatles sat on these chairs?

 

http://www.melissinos-poet.com/gr/index.html

Hamam

BalkanTravellers.com   

The Turkish bath – the historical institution, in which people wash, relax and chat – is, at first sight, a harmless phenomenon. Paradoxically, however, it has created an entire rift of cultural differences between Western Europe and the Balkans.

For people from the peninsula, the Turkish bath is most often a curse. Telling someone you wish he would end up in the Turkish bath means wishing him a death that is simultaneously violent, painful and humiliating. The expression, in a way, gives rise to all kinds of associations that come to mind with the prison scenes from the cult film “Orient Express.”

Quite the opposite, in Western Europe the Turkish bath symbolises daring, mysterious pleasures, with a faint hint of erotica – a beautiful, oriental version of European spa therapy.

It seems like one of them is seriously confused. Is it the Balkans’ inhabitants, with their historical prejudices, or the Western Europeans, with their made-up reality?

Actually, the explanation is not so dramatic: if the inhabitants of the Balkans get their perception of the hamams from their past as a lower-tier people in the Ottoman Empire, the West Europeans know the baths from the writing of the rich and free vagabonds, with their tendency to romanticise, who crossed Europe, their imagination set ablaze by the splendid decadence of the Sublime Porte. Or from films and musicals, such as “Harem,” which romanticise and poeticise the history and habits of the East in a Hollywood-kind of way.

Pandora's Box

 

In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman on earth. After Zeus ordered the god of craftsmanship to create her out of water and earth, she was endowed by the gods with many talents, making her all-gifted. Pandora's Box follows Pandora’s story with many musical references to the story line and reflects on the curiosity of the title character. In the famous Greek myth, Pandora was instructed not to open a box that was sent with her to Epimetheus, the brother of Prometheus. Zeus was punishing Prometheus for stealing fire from heaven and giving it to the mortals, and by sending his brother the prized jewel - Pandora, Zeus would extract revenge on Prometheus. But Pandora opened the box she was to leave alone under all circumstances. Before she could close the lid, all sorts of things had escaped to cover Earth…all except Hope, which lay on the bottom.

Music Samples composed by Key poulan
Shawn Glyde percussion and Nathan Eby
http://www.keypoulan.com

These are but a few of the examples of companies or groups that take their name, logo or theme from mythology.

Aegis - Zeus and Athena's protective shield; modern group of insurance companies (The Aegis Group).

Ajax - Greek warrior in the Trojan War, who "cleaned up" in battle; popular household cleanser.

Amazon - Race of warrior women; amazon.com - huge on-line bookstore.

Apollo - God of music; Apollo Theater is a famous music hall in New York city.

Ares - Greek god of war; popular car model.

Argus - Giant watchman with a hundred eyes; Argus Security is a modern security company, specializing in commercial business protection.

Atlas - Was doomed to support the heavens on his shoulders; a modern moving company (Atlas Van Lines); also, Atlas Travel is a popular name for travel agencies all over the globe.

Aurora - Roman name for Eos, goddess of the Dawn; luxury car model.

Charon - Boatman who ferries the souls of the dead to the Underworld; www.charon.com, a company "offering solutions for a connected world."

Delphi - Sanctuary to Apollo and home to his famous Oracles; Delphi Forums (www.delphi.com) is an on-line meeting place to promote discussions and to find answers. Delphi is also the name of an international Automotive Group.

Hercules - Roman name for Heracles, the greatest Greek hero; the company called Hercules - http://www.hercules.com - makes a top-selling video graphics card (their slogan is Legendary Strength, Quality and Performance);
there is also the Hercules transport plane, used by the United States Air Force to carry large volumes of war material and food;
Hercules Incorporated - http://www.herc.com - is a maker of chemicals and allied products.

Hermes - Olympian Herald and Messenger god; popular brand of soap. Also, the FTD flower delivery company incorporates Hermes and his winged heels in their logo.

Hyperion - Titan whose name means "he who goes before the sun"; a company (www.hyperion.com) that specializes in "business analysis software." Also the name of a book publishing company.

Hydra - Sea serpent with nine heads, killed by Hercules; It's the chosen name (www.hydra.com) of the Internet Chess Club.

Juno - Roman name for Hera, wife of Zeus; Juno is a popular web-hosting company (www.juno.com), specializing in free web pages and custom e-mail.

Mars - Roman name for Ares, god of War; name of popular candy bar.

Medusa - Terrible monster whose glance would petrify you, killed by the hero Perseus; Medusa Cement Company sells cement products worldwide.

Mercury - Roman name for Hermes, the Messenger god; name of car model produced by the Ford Motor Company; also, an entertainment records label, Mercury Records.

Midas - King with the golden touch, who transformed all he touched to gold; a famous muffler and brake chain of service stations.

Minerva - Roman name for Athena, who gifted the olive tree to humans; Minerva Oil Company is an international exporter of fine food products.

Nike - Winged goddess of Victory, who can run and fly at great speeds; a famous company that sells...well...if you haven't heard of the company Nike, welcome to our planet.

Odyssey - The 10-year sea voyage endured by the Trojan War hero, Odysseus, as he sought to return home to Ithica; Odyssey Travel is a well-known travel agency; Odyssey Cruise Lines is a cruise company; Odyssey Records is a record company; there's even an Odyssey Golf Club company.

Olympus - Home of the Olympian gods; name of popular camera and photographic technology company. Also, Olympic Airlines is another variation of the name.

Orion - A giant hunter slain by Artemis in Greek mythology; a motion picture production company, Orion Pictures.

Pandora - The first woman in Greek mythology, whose name means "all-gifted"; Pandora's Gift Boutique sells quality gift merchandise.

Parthenon - The temple of Athena, built on the Acropolis of Athens; perhaps the most-used name for any Greek restaurant in any city of the world!

Pegasus - Winged horse that was born from Medusa's head when she was killed; Pegasus Expedite Company is a national delivery/courier service; Pegasus Satellite Systems is a provider of satellite entertainment services. The winged horse motif is used by dozens of companies.

Phoenix - A mythical and one-of-a-kind bird that burns on a funeral pyre after a life of hundreds of years, only to be re-born from the ashes; also the name of a national photographic technology company.

Poseidon - God of the Sea and brother of Zeus; Poseidon Travel is a common travel agency name; Poseidon Seafood is a national brand of seafood products. Neptune, the Roman version, is often also used by companies, as in Neptune Fresh Lobster Co.

Saturn - Roman name for Cronus, father of Zeus; also the name of the Saturn Automobile Corporation.

Titans - Race of gods preceding the Olympians; Titan Tool & Die Company manufactures tools for industry.

Trident - The three-pronged spear of Poseidon, god of the seas; Trident Gum is a popular gum. (Note: 'Tria' is Greek for 'three' and 'donti' means 'tooth'; hence, Trident translates literally as 'three-teeth', or 'triple-toothed'. Trident Gum, if one is to believe the advertising, helps to clean your teeth, thus the allusion.)

Spartan - Greek warrior state, devoted to discipline and the martial arts; Spartan Corporation is a financial advisory company; also, Spartan Tool & Die is a national manufacturer and supplier to the auto industry; Spartan Nutritional Products is a maker and distributor of health supplements.

Trojan - Inhabitants of the mighty city that was destroyed by the Greeks during the Trojan War, after a siege of ten years; international manufacturer of condoms and birth control products.

Venus - Roman for Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and love; Venus is the name of a famous beauty product company; Venus International is a popular beauty talent agency; Venus Tan Lines is a swimsuit manufacturer; Venus Razor is a popular women's shaving accessory; Venus Beauty Salon is found in most any city or town.

Vulcan - Roman name for Hephaestus, god of the smiths and the forge; Vulcan Industries is an international manufacturer of steel products.

Source(s):

thanasis.com

Venus conjuct Jupiter in Pisces - February 17 , 2010

To take advantage of this planetary gift, we must let our modern jaded-disenchantment guards down. We must believe in the possibility of attaining seeming impossibilities. (Goodbye, overly critical analyses; we won't dismiss you forever, just set you aside for the time being.) We must fearlessly imagine what has not yet come to pass, inviting it to begin shaping itself into being. And we must be ready to proceed on scintillating vibe, for the most promising opportunities may look strange or unfamiliar—perhaps even like a resounding 'nothing'—yet their feel holds a noticeable zing. We must embrace excitement, with all those question-marks still dangling mid-air.   our vision of what else is possible.

While a Venus-Jupiter conjunction is already uplifting news, what makes this one even more miraculous is that these two 'good guys' come together in Pisces, a sign in which they're both operating in top form. Jupiter is a traditional ruler of Pisces, putting him at home here… attuning his quest-stirring, perspective-granting, meaning-bestowing faculties to whatever invisible 'Master Plan' the cosmos has in store (who knows what that is?!?), so that those of us willing to be of service to 'making the world a better place' are apt to receive blessed support for our efforts. Venus, meanwhile, is exalted in Pisces, enabling her to foster a vast limitless sort of love for all creation… which, though unquestionably idealistic to the extreme, promotes greater mutual understanding and compassion in relationship, thus increasing the likelihood we will receive what we want from those who truly appreciate us for what we give.
TIME WILL TELL

 http://astrobarry.com/2010/feb1110.php

Goddess of the day - CIRCE

In all myths of Goddess Circe, She is known as powerful Sorceress and Enchantress of magick. With flaming red hair She is portrayed brewing and offering potions with wand in hand, flying on a magick staff or holding a crystal ball. She lived on the enchanted island of Aeaea off the coast of Italy, where she lured sailors with Her song. It was said by many the island itself was magickal as it's name was the same backwards as it was forward and once upon Her shores the sailors would be lost forever. Goddess Ceres took many lovers and many a tale warned of their fate as swine after She had her fill of them.

 Her origins and myths are plenty in Greek mythology. In one She is said to be the daughter of the Sea Nymph Perseis and the Sun God Helios, in another she is said to be the daughter of Goddess Hecate and Hermes. Her associations with Goddess Hecate are plentiful, from maiden servant, to student, to selling Her soul to Hecate in return for Hecate's magick. 


 *Priestess Poem, has been removed as per the request of the site owner*


A choice made from love will align you with your highest self. But how do you know which is the “correct” choice to make? If you’re confronted with a difficult choice, you would do well to invite love in to the moment. In so doing, you can immediately feel a subtle shift in your body – a lighter-ness of being.  
Your relationship with Self and with Source colours every other relationship in your life. Whether or not you're in an intimate relationship with another, love is operating through your life right now. Should you ever doubt that, you need only invite love in to this moment. Now go read your love-scopes and lighten up a little.

Starstruck Astrology by Michelle Piller

Work ethic on Oniro Pagida(Dream Catcher) lol

Seraina WINS greece's next top model contest

 

Seraina is the winner of Greece's Next Top Model

Bless you Shahrukh and your peaceful gentle heart

Shahrukh Khan The "White for peace & oneness" movement - Attached is a WHITE image, symbol of peace, oneness & universal brotherhood. What is our purpose on this planet earth? To love, live & let others live with peace, we are one. Make this image your profile photo for some days, and then we would just recognize each other with thi...s white color, to symbolize that we are one, very close to each other, and nothing can divide or bring fear to us. Let us go WHITE and together celebrate oneness, love and peace.* facebook post*

Nick Kypreos

Nick Kypreos (born June 4, 1966 in Toronto) is a former ice hockey left winger. Born to Greek immigrants George Nicholas and Theodora Kypreos, originally from Sparta, Greece.

In his career, Kypreos played for the Washington Capitals, Hartford Whalers, New York Rangers (where he won the Stanley Cup in 1994), and his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. His career ended as a result of a concussion sustained from a fight in a preseason game September 1997.

       Currently, he is a hockey analyst for Rogers Sportsnet in Canada.

We love bollybutton's comments !!!

Top Model News

 Hello, fashionistas. We're nearing the end of Greece's Next Top Model and at this stage it's anyone's game. Who will be Greece's Next Top Model and enjoy a few months of fame on Star channel before disappearing again?

In last *week's fun-packed episode, Ioanna, Seraina, Monica and Maria were sent off to London. Well, not Maria. She had some problems with her paperwork and wasn't allowed to board the flight. Shame. But that's the world of fashion, bitches; it waits for no one.

Anyhow, the person happiest of all was Vicki Kaya, who had orgasm after orgasm at the sheer delight of being able to throw her Queen's English around. Seriously, this woman has shown as much liveliness as a dead frog up till now, and once on the streets of London she was practically crying with joy. I've never seen her so enthusiastic. Maybe she joined the mile high club on the way over, who knows. Though with an entourage of fashion men and the persuasions of male flight attendants, I doubt that.

By the way, Vicki likes to coach the girls all the time about how they need to project more, get more into the mood of things, try harder, be the role. Well, I saw her in the Greek movie Loufa kai Paralagi where she played a soldier's girlfriend and it was excruciating to watch. She was terrible all the way through. There was a sex scene where the guy was all like "Oh yeah baby!" and Vicki was flopped on the bed looking like she was waiting for a PAP test. It had to be the unsexiest sex scene ever.
http://bigfatgreeksummer.blogspot.com/

RAKI - Drink of Champions

TURKISH-GREEK POEM

You become aware when you feel homesick
That you are brothers with the greek
just look at a child of istanbul
listening to a greek ode
we've sworn at each other in the free manner of our language
we've drawn knife on blood
yet a love lies hidden in us
for days of peace like these
what if in our veins
it were the same blood that flows
from the same air in our hearts
a crazy wind blows
generous like this rain
warm like this sun
the armfuls of goodness of spring
that surge from within
from this water from this taste have we sinned
our hostility a drink
distilled from the fruit of the climate
as harmful and as tasteful as any drink
a blue magic between us
a warm sea
two peoples on its shores
equals in beauty
the golden age of the aegean
through us will revive
as with the fire of the future
the hearth of the past comes alive
first a merry laughter comes to your ear
then some turkish with a greek accent
he is nostalgic about the bosporus
you remember the raki*
'tis when you are homesick
that you recall you are brothers with the greek
London, 1947

*Turkish national drink similar to the Greek oozo.
by Blent Ecevit

RAKI

Rakı şişesinde balık olsam.
“In a bottle of Rakı, o that I were a fish.”
-Orhan Veli, great Turkish poet, storyteller, and drinker
Rakı is the traditional distilled spirit of Turkey.  In fact, it is an Aegean drink and you may know it from a jaunt to Greece as Uzo.  But really, from now on you have to call it Rakı.  I insist.  You pronounce this fine beverage as RAH-kuh, and the “-kuh” is abrupt, kind of like a grunt.
Rakı is produced from grapes, and the best Turkish hooch is from black grapes, but varieties abound. Probably not a surprise, as the Aegeans invented wine.  It is meant to be drunk cold and with food.  Tradition offers one reason.  Rakı is a dinner drink, and is best consumed slowly with ample bread and company.  Thus, a party of four can drink two large bottles over the course of two or three hours, talking constantly the entire time.  You will be drunk, but feeling like a champion.  The other reason is that Rakı is extremely strong, 100 proof or so, and has mysterious, mystical qualities.  Without food and pacing, the results can be somewhat varied, from feeling terrible, to loud obnoxious singing and standing on tables, to running half-naked around the streets of Istanbul.
http://www.worldwords.org/turk.html

http://foodjunta.com/2009/10/29/raki-sisesinde-balik-olsam/

It was the oldest one who was the first to mother us. When Mimi started pouring raki into a goblet like it was water, he rushed over with skinny glasses and a bucket of ice. He asked us if we were sure we didn’t want to order something, that raki was very strong and would be hard on our stomachs without some salad. (It is very interesting to me what different cultures consider essential food to eat with liquor.) We had barely absorbed the menu at this point, but his concern was so sincere, we ordered the shepherd’s salad immediately.
While we waited for it to arrive, the other waiters made sure we poured more reasonable amounts into the glasses with some ice and an ounce or two of water. The youngest one opened the bottle, waved it under his nose, and exhaled loudly. “Is it a good one?” I asked. “Yes! I drink raki everyday.” He exhorted us, “Do not, do not smell it! If you smell it, you will not be able to drink it.” Since our salad hadn’t appeared yet, we sat patiently with the milky white glasses in front of us, working very hard not to smell the strong, unmistakable scent of anise.
When we finally tasted it, it tasted just as I had expected—like Greek ouzo! (I’m sure the Greeks and the Turks would love that.) Intense with the flavors of fennel, aniseed, and licorice that I love, so when I saw Mimi trying to drink hers while holding her nose, I finished off her glass for her, too.

Greek Poetry

                   Zacharoula Gaitanaki
                    Greek Landscapes

Landscapes of my country, full of Light and Color.
I keep in mind Memories, in my fistful some native soil.
I walk on your ways, my Greece, and gaze greedily
I lock you up inside me.
I get across the extremityof the end.
To see the Light of your Sun and to enjoy the Sunset.
On untrodden desert islands, my steps sound
joining seabirds's fate.
Landscape blue, greek, beloved places.
Seaworth ships, "Sophia", "Giorgis", "Merope".
The waters of your rivers, murmur songs.
Hymns, for you, my country, the nightingales whisper.
The humble wild flowers, that grow on your earth
scatter a soft fragrance, wayfarer, on your touch.
Basil and velvet, myrtles and lilies.
Evident expression of holiday on childlike hands.
I pass and I dream, I remember and I weep.
In my mind, Light and Colors I add up with generosity.
Spreads of earth of my country' monuments of History.
Human destiny's distinctive symbols.
Temples, burial vaults, ancient ornaments,
theatres, columns, stadiums.
Uncultivated fields and small villages empty...
Landscapes of my country, overloaded with Memories.
I balance on their moderation the rhymes of my pen.
http://greek-poet.blogspot.com/

O psaltis X X X