Thursday the Journey students had the opportunity to attend another symposium related to the topic of United States/Greek relations. The symposium covered the topics of the FYROM issue as well as the continuation of Hellenic ideals through AHEPA; all of the students who attended enjoyed the session very much as it gave some insight into the political climate of Greece and the United States. After the symposium, students were shuttled off to a basketball game between the AHEPA Team and the Greek national team. Almost all of the students rooted for the AHEPA team that consists of Greek American college students. The game was close with both teams scoring back and forth and FINALLY THE AHEPA TEAM WON! The AHEPA team pulled ahead for a 75-65 victory over the Greek National team and the students hopped back onto the busses to Syntagma square. Arriving in Syntagma square, the Journey students all hurried to get ready for the AHEPA hosted glendi at a nearby hotel. A local group preformed dances from Macedonia at the glendi and then invited the students to join them and dance for the rest of the night.
Friday began as many days do, the sun came up, the birds began to chirp, and the Journey to Greece students were at another symposium listening to politicians give roundabout answers to questions. The symposium was specifically geared toward the United States/Greek political relationship as well as the respective countries positions on the FYROM issue. All of the students took something from the symposium and finished their adventure at the local taverna eating chicken and green beans. In the afternoon most of the students decided to take a siesta in preparation for the "special event" that night in observance of the Fourth of July. What the students did not know was that the "special event" was a gigantic party at a Greek shipping mogul's home! The students were treated to some of the best food they had ever had and a view that rivals California.
Saturday was a free day with the students taking advantage of the Greek sun by hitting the beaches in Glyfada. The day did not entail any special significance other than it was HOT and the beaches were of course, beautiful.
Sunday the students got up early to go to church in Mitropoleos where His Eminence Arch Bishop Demetrios was performing the Divine Liturgy. After the service, students got a special session with His Eminence where the students got a firsthand account as to the status of the Orthodox Church. After the meeting students took pictures with the Archbishop and then left to get ready for a pool party hosted by the Glyfada chapter of AHEPA. The pool party lasted a few hours and then the students decided to hit the beaches for the second time that weekend.
