October 12-18: City State Olympics
City State Olympics have begun! Each of your students was placed into an Ancient Greek City State group beginning at the Pre-Departure Program in order to further build community in smaller groups throughout our time in Greece. Ask your student what City State she or he is in: Argos, Athens, Corinth, Megara, or Sparta. This week we began a series of competitions between the City States. One of the major highlights from the week was the Iron Chef competition. This not only tested students’ ability to cook, but to also be creative with the secret ingredient…FETA! Students, in groups of three, cooked two dishes for the judges. Dishes ranged from salads to pasta to soup. In the end, only one team could prevail and this team was Corinth. Corey Clippinger and Maureen Prassas made an amazing feta soup and pesto chicken dish for the win. Overall, the staff was impressed with the students’ ability to not only cook, but to cook well! Students also competed in Pictionary and a basketball tournament to earn points for their City States this week.
As always, family meal is another highlight of the week. This week we tried a new tavern in a different part of the city and served a pasta menu. Usually the staff creates a menu prior to the meal and we eat family style, but this time the students were given the option of three pasta dishes and they were able to choose which dish. The students appreciated the different food option and having a choice for their individual plate.
The open air markets are a fantastic feature of Thessaloniki. Over the weekend, approximately 15 students went with a staff member to one of the largest markets near the Center. One can purchase everything from fresh fish, meats, vegetables, fruit to clothes, rugs, and other household items. Students have also enjoyed our weekly neighborhood’s market on Tuesday mornings. Many of them have even become “regulars” with the local vendors in the neighborhood.