Greek Culture

My time in Greece has been so amazing! I kind of feel like an anthropologist (one who studies cultures), each day abroad, presents another opportunity to learn about the Greek culture, history people, food, government, education system etc. First, it may suit me to give you the landscape of Thessaloniki. It’s the second largest city in Greece, with history dating 2500 years before Christ. As a matter of fact, as you walk through some of the busiest parts of the city, there is archeological excavation happening right before your eyes! For me, it’s like seeing history unfold. One site in particular is believed to be where the apostle Paul gave a sermon to the Thessalonians (Forum).  In this case the Bible comes to life right in front of you. Something this lover of Christ would never experience in Seattle. So blessed am I!

Forum

Picturing Thessaloniki, think of the town comprised of many little villages. No stand alone houses with green yards and trees but usually 3-6 story buildings, mostly white in color and terra cotta roofs. There are decks and awnings protruding out of every possible side, clothes lines criss-crossed every which way blowing in the breeze. Similar to London, most people have only a washing machine and no dryer. 99% of the decks have potted plants, small fruit trees or herbs (using a bushy variety of basil to repel mosquitoes) lined around the perimeter of their decks. You'll see table and chairs for a perfect cool place to eat breakfast (8-9am) and dinner (10pm and later) before and after the heat of the day. Looks are very deceiving because the apartments, parks and general buildings of Thessaloniki are dirty, slightly run down looking. However, when you enter into someone's home, it's a whole other world, clean, comfy and modern.

City Center w/ruin & apts

Taking you thought a typical day in Greece, late morning into the afternoon you begin to hear which first sounded to me as someone giving a public announcement over an intercom or megaphone while driving. I wasn’t too far off, these announcements are local farmers trying to sell their watermelons, peaches, cantaloupes, etc (I’ve learned the Greek words for these 3 fruits). They park their pickup trucks loaded with these fruits and a measuring scale hanging from a pole, on the side of the busy streets. This is the "Greek way". That reminds me, all the cars in Greece are tiny. No SUVs because Greece has a luxury tax, if your car has anything larger than 2 liters you have to pay 5,000 € a year! Can you image? Greece gets fined each year because they haven’t dropped this tax but since they make quite a margin from the fees they receive and the fine they have to pay – they keep it, again, this is the "Greek way". For those mechanically inclined, they still have a few large cars around but they put small engines in them - lots of torque!
Most Greek families have 2-3 kids because they can’t afford them in this economy and obviously can’t afford the car to transport them in either. Just one generation ago, having 6 children was common in Greece. Back to to transportation- Currently an underground subway is being built with a 15 year or so completion date, so that will help with the traffic. In the city center you can double park your car which narrows the main roads quite a bit. Lots of motorcyclists on the road and about 70% don't wear helmets. Also, I think the Greek take the broken line between lanes more as a suggestion than a lane restriction, because they usually straddle the center lane making one big lane for themselves. The small cars probably work to their advantage as well, with helping them get away with driving in the crazy manner that they do. Don't even think of cutting off a Greek, they'll give you the meanest glare you have ever seen, although I've heard more buses use their horn than cars, which is surprising. 

4 wheeler Gyro delivery boy!

One Greek, Christian custom I learned was in regards to what hand you wear your wedding ring. I noticed 2 of the Greek pastors have their wedding rings on the ring finger of the right hand. When of course in America we put wedding rings on the left hand. The custom in Greece is that when you are engaged you wear it on the left hand and once you are married it goes to the right hand. Christian custom remember- so the idea is that during this engagement time they are getting to really know each other to see if they are "compatible".  I was also told that if the couple finds they are not compatible, then it makes it easier to part ways. Not sure I agree there, but I'll leave it at that :) The picture to the left was during the middle of the day on a busy street and made me laugh-a little bit of everything happens here in Greece!

God Bless,