Xronia polla

The constitution of Greece recognizes the Greek Orthodox faith as the "prevailing" religion of the country, while guaranteeing freedom of religious belief for all. The Greek Government does not keep statistics on religious groups and censuses do not ask for religious affiliation. According to the State Department, an estimated 97% of Greek citizens identify themselves as Greek Orthodox. However, in the Eurostat – Eurobarometer poll of 2005, 81% of Greek citizens responded that they believe there is a God, which was the third highest percentage among EU members behind only Malta and Cyprus.

Xronia pollaaaaa, was phrase you could hear and see everywhere around Greece these days... on the street, on the buses, shops, people saying it on the phone, everywhere... If you think it means "Merry Christmas" you are wRongggg, literary translate means "lots of happiness" and people use it when someone has birthday, name-day, Christmas, ... every time when someone celebrates something :) If you want to say Merry Christmas, then you will say Kala Xristougenna, which is less used phrase...  (as I noticed...)

For all of us, Christmas is somehow related with gifts...
what I would like to give you as a gift under Christmas tree is video below...
hope you will find 18:49 min of your life for something that can make you more open & better person...
The danger of a single story

Why I like this video?!? Because I also had some single stories about Greece, and now I am really happy by the fact that the single story is disappearing and I consider whole this Greek experience/adventure as a big gift :)  Last year, before my trip to Brazil, I also had a single story about this country... what I learned there?!? If (lots of) people there can be happy by having something to eat, playing football and dancing.. .then I also should find (at least) 3 small things to be happy about my life... for this Christmas I was happy knowing that even I am not with my family (for first time in my life) they are all healthy and also happy, having nice Christmas tree (first time, next to palm tree), watching Cro TV channel (after 6 weeks:)), a blanket :), full table of food (maybe more that needed :D), new friends and Sophia`s family that warmly hosted me (Efharisto polly)!!!!!!!!  :)

once more: Xronia polla!!! :)  Sretan Božić!!! :)