Cyprus > A brief intro and a large map July 24, 2006
Posted by grhomeboy in Cyprus.comments closed
The third largest island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus is situated in the easternmost corner and is therefore known as the stepping-stone between the three continents. It is an island that has successfully managed to combine romance with history and sophistication with tradition.
In Cyprus there is something for everyone.
Its Mediterranean cuisine, sun-drenched beaches, peaceful and fragrant mountains with old charming villages, vineyards, olive trees, citrus groves and friendly locals, all make Cyprus the ideal place for a relaxing and/or romantic holiday.
For those interested in something more fast-paced and active there are all types of sports available, water sports, snorkelling, hiking and even skiing in the winter, while the evenings can be spent enjoying the cosmopolitan cafes, bars and clubs found throughout all the major cities.
Rich in history and culture yet complete with modern amenities, the island is irresistible to travellers of all ages and interests, attracting over 3 million visitors a year.
As from May 2004 Cyprus is a full member of the European Community.
Please use this link for accessing Cyprus map >
http://www.intercyprus.com/maps/Cyprus_map_big.jpg
Greek cuisine meets the Emerald Coast July 24, 2006
Posted by grhomeboy in Greek Taste World.comments closed
For delicious, fresh seafood prepared in a family-owned setting, this is the place
YIANNI’S SEAGROVE GRILLE – 4935 Highway 30-A, Seagrove Beach, Fla. 850-534-0002
Birmingham has a wealth of restaurants with a Greek-American flavor, with spanakopita and Southern fried chicken on the same menu. Now we can enjoy a taste of that at the beach, too.
Yianni’s Seagrove Grille, in a small strip center on Highway 30-A just east of the town of Seaside, is that increasingly rare Gulf Coast find – a real family-owned restaurant. In a place that is dotted with cookie-cutter crab “shacks,” (and we’re talking shacks in the highly stylized Pottery Barn sense of the word), Yianni’s, with its decor that defies short description, is quirky in a refreshingly real sort of way.
The decoration here is the first thing you notice, quite frankly.
Some walls of Yianni’s feature large murals of light-drenched Greek seaside villas. White plaster walls. Bright flowers. Greek-blue water reflecting an equally blue sky.
But look around, and you’ll see a duality of interests that speaks to a genuine Greek-American mix. There are signs (literally) of this throughout the eatery. Movie posters signed by the Harry Potter cast. A large framed collection of photos and autographs of every (yes, every) member of the cast of “Lord of the Rings.” There’s an army jacket signed by Elvis and a windbreaker autographed by every President since Ford. A 9/11 newspaper front page is signed by more than a couple of presidents. There’s a drum with Bob Marley’s John Hancock and some candies from the first Bush’s Air Force One days. Even Einstein’s here, pictured with a note on Warwick Hotel stationery. (more…)
Aegean Airlines ordered three more A320s July 24, 2006
Posted by grhomeboy in News Flights.comments closed
New order brings total up to 14 aircraft
AEGEAN AIRLINES, (http://www.aegeanair.com) the fastest growing Greek airline, has ordered three more A320s. The airline has committed to 14 A320 aircraft to date, including three A320s leased from ILFC and holds a further nine options, according to the initial agreement signed in December 2005. Deliveries are scheduled to take place between January 2007 and April 2009.
The airline’s A320s will be equipped with a comfortable two-class layout, and be powered by IAE V2500 engines.
The new A320s will replace older aircraft in Aegean’s fleet, and also be used for expansion on both domestic and international routes from the airline’s main bases at Athens and Thessaloniki
Following the addition of Sofia to its network, AEGEAN will start flying to Bucharest in October 2006. Efforts are also being made to secure permission from the respective authorities to initiate flights to Istanbul, Belgrade and Cairo. The airline is placing emphasis on expanding its network to the Balkans as well as further developing its 6 routes to Germany and Italy. By 2008, five additional routes are being considered, all within a 3 hour flight radius from Greece. AEGEAN is currently the number 1 carrier connecting Thessaloniki and Northern Greece with Western Europe.
Since November 2005 AEGEAN has been a regional partner of LUFTHANSA, providing access for its passengers to LUFTHANSA’s global network. Additional advantages of the cooperation are the collection and redemption of frequent flier miles by passengers travelling on both airlines. (more…)
Greek gathering proves moving experience July 24, 2006
Posted by grhomeboy in Greek Diaspora, Religion & Faith.comments closed
At an entry posted earlier I have pointed you to an article about a Greek wedding and the life of a Greek Orthodox priest in the US. The reason behing was to point a few details, rather unkown to you, about the Greek Culture and the traditions as well as to explain, in a way, the strong bonds the Greeks have with their Church.
In this article Greek gathering proves moving experience – Nashville, Tennessee – Monday, 07/17/06 – Tennessean.com please allow me again to point a few additional yet informative details about the background of the Greek Orthodox Church. With umost respect while not getting too much religious. Here are a few details I would like to mark >
Priests, hands clasped with their traditional black shrouds flowing graciously in their wake, joined parishioners in the crowded Presidential Ballroom that smelled of incense. Believers crossed themselves when they heard the holy name spoken, and some lightly kissed a depiction of Jesus near the entrance. Yesterday nearly 2,000 practitioners met for Sunday services presided over by Archbishop Demetrios.
Part of his sermon focused on peace and the church’s role in preserving peace. “May the Lord God reward all those who fight for peace, justice and reconciliation on earth,” Demetrios said. Subtract the sound system and three massive projection screens surrounding the stage and it was an ancient scene borne from mighty Byzantium that has been taking place for the better part of 2,000 years, back when Istanbul was Constantinople.
The photos you will see at this article are self explanatory.
It was all Greek to me July 24, 2006
Posted by grhomeboy in Testimonials.comments closed
For me, my Greek “education” was about culture, life and myself. Culture shock hit me hard. I was used to grocery stores open 24 hours a day, not having to turn on a water heater 45 minutes before a shower to have hot water and being surrounded by English speakers. Suddenly I was thrust into a society where everything shuts down on Sunday and stores close for “siestas” in the middle of the day.
Over time, I learned to think in euros, not dollars. I learned some Greek words that helped me get by every day. I found the cheapest place to get a gyro (pronounced “euro,” by the way). I hopped on the Metro and navigated Athens with the best of them. That’s the thing about culture shock: Soon you are so immersed in the culture that you forget you were ever shocked to be a part of it.
Traveling around Europe and Greece was amazing. Athens is a great city, but the rest of Greece is absolutely beautiful. I fell in love with a place called Monemvasia, which has the clearest sky and the bluest water I have ever seen. I became enchanted with northern Greece, where I spent a lazy weekend strolling around the town of Kastoria. I also traveled to Switzerland, where I hiked to the highest point in Zurich, and to Spain, where I watched a bullfight.
Still, over all these other things, the best part of my study abroad experience was the people I met. I made amazing friends and formed lasting relationships. Without these people in my life, I don’t think I could have made it through my four months in Greece. These people enriched my life, supported me constantly and shared the adventure with me. For them, and for my experience, I am forever grateful.
My advice is to put your heart into your study abroad experience. Be prepared to change as a person, but know that these changes are for the better. Don’t be afraid to try new food or to travel to new places. You’ll probably get sick and you’ll probably get lost — I did both — but these are things you can’t avoid and overcoming them makes you stronger. Keep a journal and write in it regularly; you won’t remember little details 20 years from now, so it’s worth it to record your memories. Most of all: enjoy. There will never be another time in your life quite like this, so live every second of it.
What is impressing in this article It was all Greek to me – baltimoresun.com written by Rachel Katz is her paragraph which I have marked in bold. When I started reading her article my first impression was “OK, this is gonna be another negative article about Greece and the Greeks”. But then, going on reading I had to change my mind. The article is realistic and I have to thank Rachel Katz for being honest and for writing this.
I hope you will all agree with me. Thank you Rachel!
Remember Paris Hilton? July 24, 2006
Posted by grhomeboy in Lifestyle.comments closed
Certainly not Paris the French capital and certainly not The Hilton Hotels.
But, hold on for a minute. Did I say The Hilton hotel? There’s a connection then! read the gossip now >
HILTON WANTS MARITAL BLISS BY THE TIME SHE’S 30
Paris Hilton has given herself five years to find a husband, claiming she wants to be settled into married life by the time she is 30 with a man who’ll give her four children.
The socialite is currently single following flings with Greek shipping heirs STAVROS NIARCHOS and PARIS LATSIS – to whom she was briefly engaged – but she has so far failed to find her Mr Right.
Paris insists she is not looking for a man right now, preferring to devote all her time to her blossoming singing career – but she doesn’t want to be single forever. The 25-year-old says, “When I was younger it was all about looks, but as I’ve got older and become more mature, I want to find someone who can make me laugh – and who is fun, honest and sweet. “I’d like to be married and settled down by the time I’m 30. I’d like four kids.”
All about Ayia Napa > clubbing scene July 24, 2006
Posted by grhomeboy in Cyprus Ayia Napa.comments closed
Ayia Napa > Clubs and Bars
With some of Britain’s best DJ’s playing for free in the bars, you might be too knackered to get to the clubs, when they open around midnight. If you do make it, expect to pay up to about Cyp£10 to get in, and around about Cyp£2 a beer. Get the full-on experience at Abyss or The Castle with up to 3,000 ravers. Or downsize with a more intimate crowd at Funk @ Rise. Clubs shut at 4am, then it’s down to the after party ’till dawn.
Mondays
FUNK @ Rise
R’n’B flavours on the dancefloor, plus guest appearances by Trevor Nelson.
Sun City @ The Castle Club
Tuesdays
TwiceasNice @ Club Abyss
DJ Spoony and DJ Natty share deck duties. P.A’s from Dane Bowers, DJ Luck & MC Neat, and MC’s PSG, CKP, and Blakey. A holiday highlight.
God’s Kitchen @ The Castle Club
Hard and heavy, get mental with John Kelly, Lisa Lashes, Brandon Block and Lisa Pin Up.
Wednesdays
Ministry Of Sound @ Castle Club
The Ministry’s Foreign Office kicks off with guests Karl ‘Tuff Enuff’ Brown, MJ Cole, Master Stepz and Jason Kaye.
Rampage @ Black and White
R&B club stays full throughout the season.
La Cosa Nostra @ Gas Club
Cream @ Pure Silk
The sound of UK House comes to Napa, with resident Paul Hillyer, and guests Smokin’ Jo and Lisa Loud. (more…)
HomeboyMediaNews 
