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   ^{So, it is time to tell you about an amazing international programme "Modern Argonauts", which took place in Volos(Greece) in July. In spite of spending a lot of time, our emotions, feelings and impressions didn't die down, on the contrary - they increased.}

       

Odessa's citizens in Greece. Everyone is in shock.

At the begining of July, in Volos, there was international youth programme "Modern Argonauts". In this programme participated youth teams from 4 countries - Ukraine, Italy, Russia and Cyprus. Ukraine was represented by firm and united team which consisted from the students of "Theatrical lycee". They are: Ann Salieva, Olga Mihailovskaya, Gena Moiseev, Eugine Gareev, Taniya Rak, Helen Popova, Helen Morozova, Vsevolod Ananiev, Julia Karagodina, Valera Krupenin and greek interpreter - the pretty student of ONU, Ira Troschenko. One of the main goal of this programme was - uniting youth, opening its creative power, changing experiences and values of different cultures. This programme was supported by the EU. The organizer was youth cultural organization "Diavlos" in Volos. Besides this, "Diavlos" organized more then 30 programmes for youth. May be, because of this, we had very high level of organization during all the days of festival. In Odessa, the organizer was the Greek cultural fond, that is located on Red lane. So, let's begin to share our emotions and impressions. The route of our Odessa team was: Odessa-Kiev-Borispol-Athens-Volos. In Kiev Ann's gay fellow sheltered us (huge respect to him). Then, there was the route to Borispol. As we arrived, the most interesting thing happened - we were waiting for takeoff and registration. When we were checking our luggage, we were worried about the weight of our things and thought that we might have to pay extra. Also, we were concerned about the quantity of Russian vodka. But all passed very good and safely, so some of us had time for weighting ourselves at precision scales. Then we went to a big hall with shops and other such things, and waited for boarding. At the security check-point the guards found that Lena had a forbidden pocket knife and were going to take it away from her. Perhaps on the account of her attractive appearance, or, because of the guards good mood, the knife stayed with her (by the way we really needed in it later). Imagine that - we couldn't take a knife! Are they afraid of incident in the aeroplane? But if it is neccessary, we can do something with a spoon also. But don't dwell on this. We reached Greece very easily. When we were flying Seva and I managed to drink a little(50gr.) It was especially funny to hear Seva's retort spoken in his bass voice. He looked 17, but by his voice it didn't seem so. He is very funny, when he drinks a little. The only thing that confused us was that there were no parachutes on board, but we had oxygen masks and life-jackets, so it wasn't so bad. And, at last - Athens. It was night. We passed all checkings, received our luggage and went to the exit. We were surprised by the beauty and cleanliness of the airport. On the street, there were a lot of taxi drivers with national Greek flags. Not surprising, because of the Greek football team in 2004. In a word, the mood in the Athens airport and with us was very great. After getting into the bus, we had a nice trip round Volos at night. As odessite, I noiced the good condition of their highways. During the whole time from Athens to Volos, I didn't see any little potholes on road. So, we had arrived at Volos, settled near student hotel where we would live during all our days in Greece. It was 02.05 and we started to get setttled. This 4-floor student hotel was about the same as our "Kempinski". There it was very clean and cosy. Later, we found that this student hotel is a hostel, where students live. It was a bit of shock for all of us. After settling in personal rooms (everyone of us had his own room) and being impressed by high level of hostel, roads and clean streets we went to bed. But, of course, someone of us had a run from room to room. In the morning, first, we woke up. Then we had a very tasty diet Greece breakfast, after which we went with assistant of organizer to youth centre "Diavlos", the centre of the festival. I was again surprised by cleanliness of streets, warmth of sunny morning and good-natured citizens. At last, we were at "Diavlos". After 3 hours, the team from Italy would come, then the Cypriots and in the evening - Russians. In our free time we could look round the district. Some of us went shopping, others - connected with E-net (it was free connection in the centre) and some of us tasted a greece drink - ice coffee, called "Frappe". You could also try it absolutely free at the centre. There was a very curious episode with this coffee. When we were offered this drink, noone refused from the ukrainian team, especially as it was hot and we all wanted to drink something. And, so, it was, as I remember, Seva. He approached the bar, sat down on the chair and was watching the preparation of his tasty coffee. Then the cofee was prepared with ice in it and a pretty greek gave it to him. Seva, without thinking, tookt his glass and drank it immediatly,without pausing for breath, as he did it in his childhood. After which he said in English -"Thanks, very tasty!". The Greek was very astonished, how could it be, to drink in one gulp. Greeks usually drink it by little gulps, slowly as we relish our hot coffee. From this storry the acquaintance with Ukranians had started. Greeks were surprised by prices in Ukraine. In Greece you can buy ciggaretes for 2.10e.,(for 14 grivnas),"Coca-cola" 0.33l - for 0.80e (near 5 grivnas). It goes without saying, that our national character - was also amazement for Greeks and Italians. I mean our staing-power after drinking a large quantity of alcoholic drinks wothout any consequence for health. They got to know a lot of interesting things about us, in turn we recognized something new about them. Here, for example, some new interesting things about Greeks: 1. You can drink water from the tap. Just go and drink. 2. Their attitude to foreign people is very good, especially if you know greeks and can answer something. 3. Very good roads. 4. Clean streets. 5. There are more bikers and bicyclists than cars. 6. Even at the most lively streets you don't smell exaust gas. 7. Greeks like to drink ice coffee "Frappe". 8. Odessa girls - the most beautiful. 9. It seems that there is no stealing. You can quietly leave the door open and go shopping - it'll be all right. 10. Greece is an expensive country. 11. Greece vodka tastes medicinal. 12. They know about Ukraine only by Ruslana(singer).A few know T. G. Shevchenko and Shevchenko(a footballist). 13. If you know English - don't worry, be happy. 14. Odessa girls are the most beautiful in the world. Ukranians in Greece succeded in many things: lifting the spirits of those, who were at night-club, by our stiring dances; smoking "nargile"; buying a lot of olympic souvenirs and making friends with Italian, Cuprus youth; bathing in Aagan sea; singing international songs; being at the Pilio mountian; hearing mayor's speech and plaing the performance about Jason and Argonauts; getting stuck in the lift at 4-floor hotel. We hope that our independent country also will be able to invite you and offer the same conditions as the EU have done.. Translate on English by Ekaterina Kolesnik candle_2002@mail.ru writer - Valentin Solnishkin pravdamira@mail.ru