Here is the latest news from Vicki M. who is volunteering at the Hockey.

Well what can I say.

I saw the torch relay at a place called panagou, and it interchange was right in front of me. I can't explain the feeling I felt seeing it so close, the people went wild and crazy I was video taping it, but when the change came all I took was people nothing else. But the atmosphere was extraordinary.

I started work on the 14th August, '04 at my venue. The people are so great there, first I was collecting tickets from the spectators and then I was Marshalling near the field, which I ended up seeing the game. Australia was playing and we lost, I was a little disappointing. But still fun.

15th August, '04 I was actually picked by one supervisor, I think because I knew the work and could speak English/Greek. That group was also very nice. I was put as an card access-or and all the hockey teams passed by me. I had to make sure that they had the right codes from them to come through. Then I was put to do ushering (because this guy that picked me to go with his group, he wanted me to see the game)and watch Great Britain v Egypt game. Lots of English spectators meet some of the family of the hockey players. The police asked me to go and get some of the English players to get down from standing on the railings. GB won, what an atmosphere it was, it was hard to empty the stadium after the game finished.

Bought tickets for the volleyball on the 21st August, can't wait to see it.


Posted by Peter Konnecke on behalf of Vicki M who is at the Hockey Centre in Athens.

Volunteer Vicki Mavrofora reported in yesterday saying all at the Hockey were going to have great fun. Here's Vicki's report.

My first leg I was travelling with the Aussie womens soccer team.

I went and picked up my uniform, which is similar to the Sydney one. I had a long wait because the computers went down.

I did my orinitation which was very informative just like ours.

Went to my venue training. The people there were all great and we are going to have fun.

Met Ron Riley who is looking after the Hockey teams.

Also, watch the Aussie mens team practice and we screamed out for them to win gold for us.

I'm sure they will. The funny thing is that they hit a ball so high we had to duck not to hit us. I told them don't attack your fellow Aussie mates and they laughed. It was a really good day.

Tonight I'm going to see the opening ceremony reherasls (we got a free ticket).

I can't wait for the games to beginning. I'm so excited. All the
Greeks think that I'm from here.

I laugh and say no I'm Australian.

Posted by Peter Konnecke on behalf of Vicki Mavrofora who is volunteer at the Hockey in Athens.

From here in Sydney,
We were delighted to see one of the volunteers at the AOC Uniform Centre in Athens, Laurie Smith, hovering in the background on the Channel 7 news as the women's beach volleyball team tried on their uniforms. Keep the volunteer flag flying. Wish we were there, Kim and Rosemary Owens

Ross Johnson, a volunteer from Australia has arrived in Athens. Here are some of his first impressions.

I have now arrived in Athens and
checking out the city before my
volunteer position next week at the tennis
centre.

Drinking plenty of water and trying to
keep out of the heat, average is 30-35 degrees.

It took about 45 minutes to go through the accrediation
centre and collect my uniform.
.... there is a real sense of excitment here.

Posted by Peter Konnecke on behalf of Ross Johnson.

The Sydney Volunteers in Athens weblog is now being read in the following countries each day.

Australia, United States, Great Britain, Greece, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Japan, France, Austria, Turkey, Poland, Sweeden, China, United Arab Emirates, India and Belgium. (Source - Konnecke.com Web Server Logs - in order of # of visits)

Welcome to all from around the world !

Posted by Peter Konnecke in Sydney.

Gary Walsh of the Age writes about the Olympic City in his Walk Don't Run guide to Athens.

Thanks to Ross Johnson for putting me onto this. (rossgo at hotmail dot com)

Posted by Peter Konnecke in Sydney.

Maybe it was Lawrence Foo's idea of signing a flag for the Australia Team or maybe they were just tired of Willie (R.I.P.) but the new Australia Team mascot for the games is BK - the Boxing Kangaroo.

We still love Fatso though. And how dare the Herald say Syd, Millie and Olly are forgotten.

The Athens Traffic Map may be of use to some travellers when in Athens. It gives a live view of the current traffic ande transportation conditions in the central and wider metropolitan areas of the city.

Just use the navigation links on the side of the page to change the view or to zoom in or zoom out.

You've gotta eat some time so why not check out this guide to Athens Restaurants .
There are loads of restaurants in the Athens Plaka and surrounding area. If you try these out you will know what a good restaurant should look, taste and feel like, and be less likely to be taken advantage of in one of the tourist joints. If you have any faves you want to add, take a picture and send me a review. Remember that if you order fish it is sold by the kilo so before you choose make sure you know the price since it can vary greatly from one fish to another.

Posted by Peter (in Sydney).

The Athens 2004 Sydney Volunteers in Athens Weblog has been launched and is ready for use. Keep check as daily stories arrive from Athens.

My name is Maria Karabelas, I am a volunteer performer.

I have been here since mid May 04, as I am rehearsing for the Opening
Ceremony of the Athens Olympics. I will be dancing in a beautiful segement
with lots of colour and amazing footwork... all details regarding my segment
must be kept confidential !!

I performed in the Opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics, so this is a
great thrill for me to do my second Olympics Opening Ceremony.

I have been working full time for an Australian Merchandising company, in
Athens and enjoying every monment. My days are spent working, my evenings
are spent wandering the streets of Plaka, Syntagma and Pangrati... I have
had the most beautiful walks just under the Acropolis and my weekends are
spent rehearsing for the Opening Ceremony.

Today, I received my accreditation. All is very organised here in
Athens..... so far I have had to go the hospital with some injuries from
Dancing and as soon as I get there, they have been great.. Hospitals and
Public Transport is fantastic.. the metro, the trolleys are top noch !!

Australian Media should give it a rest with there articles on the Athens
Olympics. Greece will host the Olympics.. there way !! The Greek way !! I
think you have to be Greek to understand that one !!

Sydney glowed when we had the Olympics, it was wonderful for everybody.. but
there is no comparison.. it is more of a ritual here, rather than a celebration ... the Olympics have come home to its birth place ..

I have gone to two shows at the irodio theater and seen a performance at Dora Stratou Theatre..

When I first got here in May, I spent a few weeks in my Grand Father's house
in the south of Greece. A place called Mani.. it was amazing.. my own
private beach... enough said I think.. the mountanous terrain down there is
out of this world. Then I stayed with family in Kalamata, Tripoli, Olympia
and Patra.. Getting to know the family has been great...

The last rehearsal I had, i became overwhelmed and got caught up in the
moment.. I just started crying of excitement......We rehearse in a region
where it is all mountains and then the sea.. it is out of this world.. as I
type, I even get excited just thinking about it.. I am looking forward to
the August 13 2004.. I have been waiting for this day for 4 years now...
almost there. my costume is unbelievable.. the make up is even more
fantastic.. it will be a great show..

After the Olympics I will spend a week in Cyprus, with my Family, then I come home to Sydney..

Regards,
Maria Karabelas
I still call Australia Home !!