Athens (ATH), Athens

This review is based on my journey as a volunteer at the 2004 Olympic games held in Athens. As this was the place where the games all began, it is an important highlight in any Greek's (especially those from Athens) agenda. The events I have described in this review are purely as I saw them. As of this date, this was the only time I have visited such an historical place so as you can imagine it was an exciting time and to be there when it was to happen..........well read on.........

My olympic journey began when I got off the plane from the miserable dark damp london to the sunny heights of Athens airport and ended in a simuliar fashion. I was pleasantly greeted by my landlady at the arrivals terminal who took me to the home I'd be spending for the duration of the games.

The 1st few days of my stay was spent admiring the old ruins of the olympic temple of Zeus, where dart throwers were practising for the games itself, to the beautiful scaffolding keeping the acropolis together, to both ancient and roman agoras, to the guards parading syntagma (which i found highly entertaining), to walking down the famous street of plaka. The most exciting part of the 1st leg of my olympic journey was to hunt for all 38 venues and take pictures with me as close to them as possible. Of course this was an impossible task to complete as quite a few of the venues are not in Athens. If seen on the tv we wouldn't think like that thou as they switch so quickly from one venue to another.

Anyway it's 11th August 2004 and we are heading to Pireaus where the olympic flame will be lit next door to the town hall and a huge concert featuring Mario Frangolis will take place. It's the 1st time i've heard him sing live and i was never a fan of his music until this point. He impressed me immensely with his cover version of John Lennon's imagine. Seeing the crowds applaud both him and the flame being light was truely spectacular.

I then followed the olympic flames journey to the acropolis the next day which wasn't as good as the previous day. For starters you had to have special entry passes to be able to see the flame being lit and there was a private concert and party held in its honour but I still had fun and made friends with some very nice canadian people along the way too.

13th August 2004 and the party begins with the opening ceremony. I was unfortunate not to be able to see this live (which judging from the rehearsals would have been truely amazing). Instead I settled down next to the tv and the way the greeks portrayed the story of how the olympics began and how it all processed from the ancient to the modern was very intriging. Many got bored when they introduced he countries one by one before the games were blessed by the IOC president and declared officially open. Then the ceremony ended with a range of spectacular fireworks.

14th August 2004 and I start my 2 week volunteer programme as a spectator services venue host. This seemed daunting at first because I had never been to an international event on such a large scale as this one but i quickly adapted to the role. By 27th August 2004 I had become a natural and even won a quiz or 2. The best parts of it all was the medal ceremonies. It was very emotional seeing the athletes parade in their kit to be presented with the olive tree emblem on their heads before one of the maids representing their country placed the medal over their necks and the flags were lifted up. To be so close and be a part of it was such a unique experience and i'm sure i won't forget it for many years to come.

29th August 2004 and I'm in the oldest olympic stadium to watch the last event, the mens 26.2 mile marathon, for the Olympic 2004 games with some of my new found friends. It was a very warm and friendly atmosphere and I'd say it was probably the best in terms of the crowd, the screens, the lighting and in general the overall layout. I was abit upset however when the mood changed as the brazilian athlete was knocked off his platform by an ex- irish priest that made way for an Italian to steal the gold medal from him. Still he fought brillantly and deserved the reception he got when he completed the marathon. The race finishes just in time for us to head down to Zappion square where we all sat around and watched the closing ceremony together. Even here the greeks sure now how to party and celebrate one of the greatest sporting events in history in style. Despite watching it on a big screen felt like we were there in the main OAKA stadium.

After a days rest, it's time for me to visit the place where it all began in 776 BC, the ancient stadium of olympic. What an experience this was for me and what a long journey. 6 hours on a coach but it was well worth it. The way they'd layed out the museum made me imagine and feel that I was there as one of the few female spectators allowed to watch the ancient games. Not just the musuem but the gift shops, the actual stadium ruins itself. I felt I was part of history. If you ever get a chance to visit Greece i'd strongly recommend Olympia highly on the list as a place to visit.

1st September 2004 and it all comes to an end. It's time for me to say goodbye to all my greek friends and leave for the long journey back home. To me the whole experience has been a dream and a good one that one can only but feel it if you are there to live it.

Thanks for reading!!