CONNECTIONS! A Global Education Initiative 2004 As seen in USA TODAY, April 2, 2004 10 Greek places to behold in the land of the Olympics By Shawn Sell USA TODAY Let the travel plans begin. If you're Olympics-bound to Greece — Aug. 13 is the official start of the Summer Games (athens2004.com) — it pays to know where to go in this beautiful and ancient country. "I love Greece so much because it actually looks like the posters," says Nia Vardalos, star of the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding and the CBS series My Big Fat Greek Life. Vardalos recently completed shooting her next film, Connie and Carla, which arrives April 16. "When I visit Greece, I feel such a connection because it is my ancestral home. While you're there, take a taxi. The view from the back of any taxicab in Greece is a character-building experience. I like to imagine these grizzled drivers when they were young boys, playing in the streets." She shares with USA TODAY's Shawn Sell favorite Greek spots. The Parthenon Athens "Standing at the bottom of (the ruins of) this temple (built circa 477 to 438 B.C) and looking up, you can feel that ancient power. When I go to the top and look out over the city, I like to imagine what it all looked like 50 years ago, 250 years ago, 500 years ago." Greatbuildings.com/buildings/the_parthenon.html. Photos by Michael Madrid, USA TODAY The Erectheon: Named for Erectheus, legendary first king of Athens, the site is across from the Parthenon. It is famous for its south porch, with columns in the form of draped female figures. On Mykonos: Whitewashed churches cling to the sides of mountains on this island in the Aegean Sea. Developed and distributed by the USA TODAY Charitable Foundation. CONNECTIONS! Island of Tinos Cyclades Tinos is one of the largest islands of the Cyclades. Its "beautiful main monastery (the Church of Panagia) is a must to visit," especially on Aug. 15, the feast day of the Virgin, which draws thousands of pilgrims. "Inside, it is decorated with gold and silver replicas, representing people's wishes and prayers." Greeka.com/cyclades/tinos. Isthmus of Corinth At 20 miles long and four to eight miles wide, the isthmus connects central Greece with the Peloponnese peninsula. "This man-made miracle cuts a mountain in two, so ships can pass" via the Corinth Canal from the Adriatic Sea to the Aegean Sea, "and it's really something to see." En .wik ip e dia.org/wik i/isthmus_ of_corinth. Island of Zakynthos Ionian Islands Also known as Zante, this picturesque island with mountainous villages is known for its golden beaches. "Visit the church in the town square; a priest is buried there, and the locals regularly replace his worn-out shoes because it is said he still walks the island." Greeka.com/ionian/zakynthos. Nauphlio Peloponnese peninsula Climb the 857 steps to visit the Palamidi Fortress, constructed when Nauphlio — "located on the mainland" continued — was the first capital of Greece. "The copper-red roofs of this town are incredible to look at, so climb the winding streets to get a panoramic view from the top." w w w. w o r l d 6 6 . c o m / e u r o p e / greece.nauplia. Island of Mykonos Cyclades With its white houses and bright blue sea, this cosmopolitan island of 5,500 is called the Venice of Greece. "Tiny whitewashed churches dot the sides of the mountains, so rent a minibike, go up the mountain and sit inside one of the churches to light a candle." Greekislands.com/mykonos. Herod Atticus Theater Athens Constructed in A.D. 161, this oncemassive theater today holds only 5,000 spectators in the lower tier of seats. "The acoustics are perfect, and the theater is a step back in time. I heard the Atlanta Gospel Choir here and cried. Go at night" for a moving experience. www.harrys-athens-greeceguide.com/ancient-odeon.asp. Island of Rhodes Dodecanese Rhodes is both ancient and modern. Visit the Acropolis, "where there is a sign that asks travelers to be respectful of those who have fought and fallen." Greeka.com/dodecanese/rhodes/ index.htm. Island of Santorini Cyclades Known for its landscapes, this Aegean Sea island boasts beautiful whitewashed houses perched on cliffs overhanging the water. "Go to the tip of the island to a village called Oia. Stand anywhere there and look out at the caldera (volcano basin). It is the quietest spot on Earth. I brought my laptop and wrote parts of MBFGW, sitting in a cafe, looking out at that water." Greeka.com/cyclades/santorini. Drymos "My dad's village of Drymos," near Thessaloniki in northern Greece, "is tiny, quaint and built into the side of the mountain. Sit outside at a cafe, order an iced coffee with condensed milk and sugar (frappe), and people-watch." Developed and distributed by the USA TODAY Charitable Foundation. CONNECTIONS! continued to 10 Gre ek places nd o f behold in the la 1D the Olympics, 1 aluation m, geography, ev multiculturalis e Summer APPL ICAT IONS: travelling to th e er w u yo If r DISCUSSION: ould you make fo t preparations w ha w , u ce yo ee If Gr ? st in Games e there in Augu is the weather lik what customs your trip? What mily in Athens, fa st ho a ith w and phraswere staying hat Greek words W ? ow kn to u would it help yo ul to lear n? es might be usef r a two-week u are packing fo yo at th e in ag sightsee, AC TI V IT Y: Im ce. You plan to ee Gr in cs pi re trip to the Olym e in other leisu ts and participat en ev , c en pi Th . ym ke Ol ould ta attend the items you w of t lis a e ily ak m M fa . st activities esent to your ho at you would pr m you ite e th n ai choose a gift th itality. Expl sp ho r ei th r fo in appreciation ficance. its cultural signi chose as well as National Standards People, Places and Environments — Students use knowledge of physical system changes such as seasons, climate, and weather. Science, Technology, and Society — Students make judgments about how science and technology have transformed the physical world. Culture Students predict how data and experiences may be interpreted by people from diverse cultural perspectives and frames of references. (NCSS) Student Challenge on: D i v e r s i t y APPLICATIONS: point of view, analysis, history, diversity USA TODAY Snapshots® People judge ethnic groups, races I don’t have much in common with people of other ethnic groups and races: Agree1 Disagree2 United Great France Germany Russia Turkey States Britian 74% 64% 33% 22% 66% 32% 65% 31% 72% 61% 26% 34% 1 — agree completely or mostly 2 — disagree completely or mostly Source: The Pew Global Attitudes Project; surveys April 28-May 15. Margin of error in countries’ polls ranged from ± 3 to ± 4 percentage points. What positive statement does the Snapshot make about the United States? Why might a person believe that he or she has little in common with members of other ethnic groups and races? Why do you think more people from Turkey and Great Britain agreed with the survey statement than did those from the U.S. and Russia? Identify two events in U.S. history that exemplify tolerance. Then, cite two that reveal a collective attitude of intolerance. In your opinion, do all racial and ethnic groups receive equal treatment in America? Do you think foreign countries view the U.S. as a tolerant nation? Explain. What other countries have ethnic and racial strains? By Shannon Reilly and Bob Laird, USA TODAY Developed and distributed by the USA TODAY Charitable Foundation.
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