Musings on the motherland

Ang Christou, Former AFL footballer

Greece is filled with so many incredible attractions all in one place. It’s a country that is diverse in every way imaginable, from its rich history to its amazing physical beauty to its crystal clear beaches and picturesque islands. The Mediterranean and Aegean seas are simply stunning. It’s a place with the perfect blend of stunning beaches, laid back lifestyle and where the food is simply delicious. International tourists flock to Greece to experience everything that it has to offer and they add to the incredible atmosphere and cosmopolitan lifestyle.

For me, Greece is the essence of life. Its attractions are breathtaking, its people are engaging and the energy is something to truly behold. Greece is the perfect place to let your hair down, to meet interesting people, and to find love while holidaying in God’s paradise. My favourite place is where my family come from, Kastoria, the northern part of Greece. This part of the country is completely different to the rest. You’ll feel like you’re in a different country. It is surrounded by soaring mountains and a serene lake. Just the thought of it makes me feel relaxed… ah! Oh and did I mention the climate? It’s sunny almost all year round, say no more. I frequent Greece every year because it’s a part of me and I feel that connection every time I visit.

Alkistis Gerassimou, Director, Philhellene restaurant

It had been five years since our last visit to Greece, the longest time between Greek holidays for us. So we were really looking forward to this one, even though we’d been warned by my dad. “Ase, ta pragmata einai halia” he had said, while he too was in the middle of booking his annual trip over. Difficult seems to be the word that comes to mind when I think of my most recent visit, especially while in Athens as we were there right in the middle of all the demonstrations, and public service strikes. But in the midst of all the craziness and people’s complaints, I was still able to feel the reasons why I always go back. I could still shut my eyes and feel that balmy breeze every single evening, the one that carries the smell of the Aegean entwined with the scent of the nihtolouloudo and the sounds of the cicadas. Not having to utter the words, “What’s the weather tomorrow?” -- a phrase that has become part of our daily dialogue in Melbourne -- was beyond refreshing. My body was happy to be up with the Greek sun every morning.

Unlike back home, the mildness of the climate gave me clarity, energy and orexi to get my day cracking. So did the food. In summer or winter, the food has always been consistently excellent. I still caught glimpses of the Greek spirit and that fire that burns inside the Hellenes, the passion they carry and the joie de vivre that they are known for. While it was not as apparent as other times, I still felt the filotimo, this virtue that is existent in no other language but Greek. A mix of personal pride, dignity, courage and duty. “Gia to paidi? OHI, a pa pa pa pa” the local souvlaki vendor shouted at me when I went to pay for my little boy’s bottle of water. In which other race would you find that? Greece doesn’t just get under your skin, it invades your heart. And this is why I choose to go back and will do so until I no longer physically can.

Steve Georganas, South Australian Member of Parliament

My favourite experience in Greece was in 1977, when as an 18 year old I was working for Citibank in Kolonaki, Athens. You could imagine being 18 and never having lived outside Adelaide. Living in Athens was something so exciting and extraordinary. Greece had just thrown off the shackles of the military junta’s dictatorship, and Greeks everywhere and at every age were expressing their newfound political freedoms.

I discovered a people of great intellect and idealism, many of the discussions and exchanges of ideas that I had at that time also helped forge my political beliefs and most importantly my true appreciation of my Greekness. Over the last decade, I have visited Greece regularly. I am always drawn to my ancestral roots in Kalamata where my father comes from. When I visit his village I am always overawed by the experience of walking the same ground that my ancestors walked for thousands of years. Walking through the doorway of my father’s ancestral home, now just rubble, brings out the most emotional feelings in me.

I find Athens a very walkable city. My favourite walks are starting off in Panepistimiou Street walking to Syntagma Square stopping for an authentic Greek coffee served in the briki. I continue to Ermou Street, where all the shops, boutiques and bookshops are. I usually stop for a frappe in Monastiraki at lovely coffee shops in beautiful shaded areas opposite Mitropoleos Square. I usually start walking down Athinas with its fascinating bric-a-brac shops, spice shops and any type of food you can think of. Also there is the fish and meat market, where I watch the vendors spruiking their goods. I love the smells of the spices and the goods from the markets. I am always drawn to Greece even though I have travelled to many places in the world. I feel it is very special to me maybe because as Greek Australians, it brings us closer to our Greekness and allows us to connect with our past. When I make the comparisons from my first visits in the ‘70s to today’s Greece, I see a modern vibrant European country with one of the best lifestyles in the world.

George Kapiniaris, Comedian and Actor