Get me a 5.5!

70 Days Left till 6 February!!!!

Quote of the week: Where logic ends, the army begins.

Muse - Starlight

Far away

This ship is taking me far away

Far away from the memories

Of the people who care if I live or die

Starlight

I will be chasing the starlight

Until the end of my life

I don't know if it's worth it anymore

Hold you in my arms

I just wanted to hold

You in my arms

My life

You electrify my life

Let's conspire to re-ignite

All the souls that would die just to feel alive

But I'll never let you go

If you promised not to fade away

Never fade away

Our hopes and expectations

Black holes and revelations

Our hopes and expectations

Black holes and revelations

Hold you in my arms

I just wanted to hold

You in my arms

Far away

This ship is taking me far away

Far away from the memories

Of the people who care if I live or die

And I'll never let you go

If you promise not to fade away

Never fade away

Our hopes and expectations

Black holes and revelations

Our hopes and expectations

Black holes and revelations

Hold you in my arms

I just wanted to hold

You in my arms

I just wanted to hold

I miss you Clifton!!!

Whazzzzzzzzuuuuuuuuup!!!

So its once again the end of the week...and time for an army update. To be honest there's just a few new things happening so I'm not gonna do the whole hour by hour commentary thing. This week started with Monday where we once again went to the store room to do the whole folding sleeping bags thing. The thing is the weather was cloudy with signs of some serious "Newlands style" rains heading our way. I tried to tell the Captain and his lapdog about this but it was all in vain. We were ordered to take out the sleeping bags and 50 sleeping bags later it starts with a drizzle and in Cape Town style, mother nature opens up her Cobra taps. Somehow the line, "I told you so!" just do doesnt cut it here. So here we go, 50sleeping bags back in the freaking storeroom. It rained untill Friday. The funny thing is that I had to,for the first time in about 15 years acquire an umbrella because of the pissing rain. Usually I have a car to get around. But since I'm on feet around the city of Xanthi, the black umbrella I got for 6 Euros. Thats R60 for a cheapass umbrella! Eish!

Anyways, we had Newlands weather here untill today, Saturday, when the sun decided to show its face. Speaking of Newlands,right now I'm listening to online RADIO SONDER GRENSE, to the SA vs England rugby game live. I was feeling nostalgic and thought it would be nice to hear Afrikaans instead of Russian and Greek. So far we're getting whipped 6-0 in the first 10minutes. But I say whats new? Jake White has gone completely insane with his squad selection.

You know it feels good to be talking about South African news because totell you the truth, in the last few day I started realising how much I love South Africa. I might Greek but South Africa is the mother that fed me, brought me up, kept my feet on the ground and allowed me to see things much clearer than most people who've lived all their life in Europe. Sure, SA has its problems. Crime and the political drama show of Zuma and co. but I still feel that SA has got the potential to be right up there amongst the top five first world countries. People think the countries in Europe are perfect and have no probelms and they start bitching about South Africa. I say,look at the problems in Europe, fine they have the EU. Yet with the EU came the problem of open borders and and the swarming of peoples of one unfortunate country to a better country,leaving their own motherland to suffer and have no chance of improving itself economically and politcally. Look at Germany for instance. Her'es a country thats known for its efficiency, its class and powerfull economy. Yet, in my last three conversations with German Greeks, I was surprised to hear about how the large influx of people from former-Communist countries and north Balkan countries into Germany have made it difficult for Germans to find work in their own country. When I was in Athens, I was shocked to hear the words "be carefull and dont get mugged" when I told my aunt I'm going for a walk outside in the roads of Athens!

When I took that walk I started looking around as if I was walking around Kenilworth on a Saturday or in you're from Jo'burg, think of the feeling when you're on foot in Pretoria Central City. It was an upsetting feeling that could make you depressed because here you think that SA is the pits with crime,but now you have to pull your "vigilante skills" you acquired from home. I was shocked! What has the world come to? You feel like taking up jujitso and as many martial arts as possible and cut out a rubber suite andcome out at night and do the Batman thing.

Anyways, I dont want to paint a dark picture of Europe but to all of you in SA who always say "I'm gonna leave this %&#ing country forever!" . THE GRASS AINT THAT GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE. South Africa is a beautful country and the problems it has CAN be dealt with. Crime can be beaten if each and every good person out there decides stop tolerating even the smalles crime bybeing more vigilant and instead of pulling out your gun, put pressure on the authorities to pick up their feet. If Apartheid could be beaten, then Crime should not be a problem for a country with a "never-say-die" attitude. We can do it! Just stop bitching, and start pitching...in.

You can tell by now that I'm missing SA. I am missing SA and Cape Town and the mountain and Clifton and the nice people and cheap beers (especially the 5.5...hey Borkie). I figured out that I coulndt camp out here in Greece for good right now. Maybe in 5 or 10 years. SA still rocks. I might be white, but I'm still African. I was born on the 2nd largest continent in the world, enjoyed its fruits and milk, gave my efforts and I dont care who you are or what politcal party you blow your flute for. I am South African Greek. My home is Africa. And I'm gonna kiss the ground the minute I step off the plaine after landing in Cape Town International. In the spirit of being proud of SA... "My bloed is groen." The Boks just scored a try. Hie kommie Bokke! Ama Bokko bokko!!!

Anyways, before I pull out the Black Label Beer and scream "Vat hom Bokke!" and sing Enkosi Sikeleli Africa...! To all those lving in Cape Town, please say hello to Table Mountain for me. Go to Clifton beach and kick some sand around...put your feet in the ocean and send a kiss to the sunset. Pleaaaaaaaaase!!!

By the way, just so you all know, being in the army is kinda being in prison, you start counting the days you're free to go. Luckily in my case I have 73 days and today left.

73 DAYS!!!

Yippeeeeee!

On that note...stay well and hope to hear from you soon via e-mail or sms.

My e-mail is: kapatown@gmail.com
If you wanna sms me,for security pruposes ask me my number via e-mail.

Ciao ciao and Tot Siens! Arrie warrie maters!

Regards,
Kosta

Dr. Alban - Hello Africa

Music Video @

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B80O8Bd0EAY

Yo! African People! Unite

Come together for the sake of your future!

Yo! African People! Unite!

Hello Africa - Tell me how you're doin'!

Hello Africa - Tell me how you're doin'!

Hello Africa - Tell me how you're doin'!

Hello Africa - Tell me how you're doin'!

Hello Nigeria! - That's my Motherland.

Coming to Sweden now - causin' hysteria.

Takes a long time to travel the globe, so why be shy?

Why be humble? I just came straight out the jungle.

You can't compete with me cause you know I got the rhythm.

I did it before and I'll do it again, so listen watcha say.

Yeah hear my point of view.

Not everyone can do this.

In fact only a few sophisticated, hardcreated,

that's who I am, and you know

I've been waiting, so start pumping - make some noise!

The Mandika tribe, the Hausa tribe,

the Fulani tribe, the Gooya tribe, the Zulu tribe.

Mi no live in a house - mi live in a tree.

Electricity can give you a shock.

Mi no smoke no cig - mi no take no coke.

All me take is a glass of juice.

Hello Africa - Tell me how you're doin'!

Hello Africa - Tell me how you're doin'!

Hello Africa - Tell me how you're doin'!

Hello Africa - Tell me how you're doin'!

I'm calling on the big guys from the pyramid top,

to join bits and pieces of our Fatherland - Africa.

Cause without boundaries we can move the mountains.

Drop your personal individual ambitions.

Chase the devil off and purify our Fatherland.

African people, crawl from your vultures, stand affirm.

'Cause you are the aura of mankind.

You are the dreams, you are the hope, you are the future,

you are the past, you are the grandfather of civilization.

That is why ANC wants old dogs to sit.

The impossible just takes a little longer.

Out of this world and inta another world.

The earth is spinning round and there's so much to discover.

The African man seems to be everywhere.

If there are people in the world

who knows that right is never wrong.

Stop the fire burning in my home - Africa.

Martin Luther King, Mandela - you had a dream,

self-evidence and quality for men.

Africa for me and Africa far you de Klerk.

It doesn't really matter whether a cat is black or white,

what really matter is to catch the mouse,

I'd rather do it in an African way,

hello Africa tell me you you're doin'!

Mmm, jumping on the mike 'cause me a rockin' up affection.

When I'm holdin' me a mike 'cause me awesome affections.

What you say to me. Me a fun and me warm.

Spend some me a time on the "tresittia" dime,

Don't you try to follow me you ought to realize what me are,

what me a realty want. Me not fly.

No I am just coolin' come on now - just set it off!

Hello Africa - Tell me how you're doin'!

Hello Africa - Tell me how you're doin'!

Hello Africa - Tell me how you're doin'!

Hello Africa - Tell me how you're doin'!

I have been mourning, I have been grieving,

I have been crying, no more tears in my eyes.

There's a hottie, hottie wind blowing south to north

following on my head, drying all my plants,

if there's a mercy in the clouds,

You know right is never wrong?

Move the sadist off my back

and stop the fire burning in my home - Africa.

Here comes the news from mighty Lord.

Transqualation is about to come to Earth.

Right, rapping is digging down river from north to south.

To let milk & honey flow side to side.

My name is Alban, mi is a dentist, mi DJ here, mi DJ there.

Mi have a shop on Slojdgatan, Alphabet St. is da name,

Mi live in no house, mi live in a flat. Electricity can give you a shock.

Mi smoke no cig, mi take no coke, all me takes is a glass of juice.

Hello Africa - Tell me how you're doin'!

Hello Girls and Boys...

I hope you're all well! Its raining cats and dogs here and I'm indoors alot listening to some good music. You ever find yourself allocating a certain song to the situation you're in? Well army is getting boring here and I definately dont plan on ever making a carreer out of being a soldier....So here's a nice little song you should be able to relate to...

The Killers - All These Things That I've Done

When there's nowhere else to run

Is there room for one more son

One more son

If you can hold on

If you can hold on, hold on

I wanna stand up, I wanna let go

You know, you know - no you don't, you don't

I wanna shine on in the hearts of men

I wanna mean it from the back of my broken hand

Another head aches, another heart breaks

I am so much older than I can take

And my affection, well it comes and goes

I need direction to perfection, no no no no

Help me out

Yeah, you know you got to help me out

Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner

You know you got to help me out

And when there's nowhere else to run

Is there room for one more son

These changes ain't changing me

The gold-hearted boy I used to be

Yeah, you know you got to help me out

Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner

You know you got to help me out

You're gonna bring yourself down

Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down

Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down

[x10]

I got soul, but I'm not a soldier

I got soul, but I'm not a soldier

Yeah, you know you got to help me out

Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner

You know you got to help me out

You're gonna bring yourself down

You're gonna bring yourself down

Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner

You're gonna bring yourself down

Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down

Over and in, last call for sin

While everyone's lost, the battle is won

With all these things that I've done

All these things that I've done

If you can hold on

If you can hold on

IN THE SPIRIT OF...MILITARY STYLE....

One of the movies all Greeks and Greek Fans should check out....

Λούφα και παραλλαγή - Σειρήνες στο Αιγαίο

For more info go to:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0756313/

Seether - Remedy

Throw your dollar bills and leave your thrills all here with me
And speak but don't pretend I won't defend you anymore you see
It aches in every bone, I'll die alone, but not for you
My eyes don't need to see that ugly thing, I know it's me you fear
If you want me hold me back

Frail, the skin is dry and pale, the pain will never fail
And so we go back to the remedy
Clip the wings that get you high, just leave them where they lie
And tell yourself, "You'll be the death of me"

I don't need a friend, I need to mend so far away
So come sit by the fire and play a while, but you can't stay too long
It aches in every bone, I'll die alone, but not for pleasure
I see my heart explode, it's been eroded by the weather here
If you want me hold me back

Frail, the skin is dry and pale, the pain will never fail
And so we go back to the remedy
Clip the wings that get you high, just leave them where they lie
And tell yourself, "You'll be the death of me"
Frail, the skin is dry and pale, the pain will never fail
And so we go back to the remedy
Clip the wings that get you high, just leave them where they lie
And tell yourself, "You'll be the death of me"

Hold your eyes closed, take me in
Hold your eyes closed, take me in

Frail, the skin is dry and pale, the pain will never fail
And so we go back to the remedy
Clip the wings that get you high, just leave them where they lie
And tell yourself, "You'll be the death of me"
Frail, the skin is dry and pale, the pain will never fail
And so we go back to the remedy
Clip the wings that get you high, just leave them where they lie
And tell yourself, "You'll be the death of me"

Hellooooooooooooo everybody

I'm bringing ArmyBack :) Ilva..your song is playing now:)

Week 2 - Apostolides Stratopedo( army corps)

On Friday 10 November I was sworn in as an official soldier. The Priest was there as well as some High Ranking Officials. We said the Oath...which is quite a deep poetic paragraph that gives any patriotic Greek goosebumps. The priest blessed us and snet us off with some good words. After the Oath we all grouped up outside the General's Office to get our transfer papers. We were told where we will be based. Please note that you do not get to say where you want to be transfered after being at the Center. They put you where they want. The only way you get transfered to where you where you want to go is only if you're connected to someone in the government or High Ranks of the army and ask them to pull strings. The other way of getting to go where you want is...LUCK.

I wanted to go Xanthi. Where my Aunt is and also a beautiful city. Almost like Cape Town...only without Table Mountain and Clifton Beach.

So when our names were called out for the transfer to Xanthi...I had to double check because I have no connection for strings to be pulled. So I guess I'm one lucky ducky. Marina...the fasting and staying positive helped :) .

So after packing bags and jumping on the Military Trucks we had to wait an hour in the truck coz somehow the German engineered Mercedes Truck gave in. So there I am istting with a bunch of Greek Russian dudes who look like they came out of the 3rd Episode of Star Wars and are the cousins 0f the Sith Lord or whatever you called that baddie. (Apologies to whoever is in love with Star Wars...I might have sid something wrong about your Religion..I mean...hobby. (May the Force be with You...Happy Now?)

So ya....I'm sitting in the truck trying to figure out if the Greek-Russian dudes are human and not only that. Each one of them are smoking. Now remember its cold outside so they put down the flaps of the cover of the truck. Our only source of oxygen is a little 30cm x 30cm hole. So...ya you guessed it...HOTBOX! The 2nd hand smoked I enhaled was enough to make the new Marlboro man fall off his horse.

After the hour of waiting and the driver figuring out that the battery is flat and that it needs a jump start...were off. We get dropped off at Stavroupoli Trainstation and wait there another 90 minutes. Get on the train....sqeeze in next to some uber hot blondies that kept giggling. We get to Xanthi Trainstation....and there we are waiting..AGAIN for about an hour. By sheer chance a Military truck appraoches us to ask what were doing. We told them the story and after considering it...they gave us a lift to the Stratopedo. The original transport was gonna come an hour later coz they were on lunch. MALAKIES I tell you! So we get to Apostoloides Base, our bags get searched and we're told..no cameras. But Cellphones are ok. So now tell me...what if your cell phone has a camera? Its still allowed IN!!! What logic? So the enemies will be sending MMS's around you idiots! KSUPNA!!! (Steri..you can but your website add here if you want...LOL)

So we get to the offices of 40 ME where I'll be working till I finish. Now for your information...40ME is the best team to belong to because you do NOTHING. Maybe some preperation of army gear and armour for training days. Thats it! Cool hey? We get taken to our "Thalamo" where we will spend the night when we are on DUTY. The people in my room are pretty cool and intersting people. Each one has an intersting character. So entertainment is guranteed on days I'm on duty.

What is 40 ME? Its the department that gives notice to all people who served at Apostolides Stratopedo to report for duty if a war breaks out. So we're responsible for rounding up the troops. So we're pretty much an admin department. the captains and Sergeants in our buildings sit around and drink Frappe Cafe all day and talk shit. We(the infantry men) are there to keep the place clean, check up on our stock of gear and make sure the General doesnt throw a tantrum. he's pretty strange. Scary strange. He confused Australia with South Africa. WTF!!!

Anyways...its Friday we get to 40Me Offices and immediately get the weekend off. 48 hours off in military style. So now i get a chance to chill out, use a decnt toilet for number 2s and also walk around without wearing the cap and uniform. XALARA!

Monday - 13 November 2006

6:00 hours GMT - Wake up, pack bags and off to Stratopedo...3 blocks away from the house.
Heehee. Life is good. We get there, change into our military uniform.

7:15 GMT - Report at 40ME Building. Sit around till 3pm. Jokes aside.


15:00 GMT - I get the paper that gives me permission to leave to Stratopedo and sleep at home.

15:30 GMT - Get home, sleep. (My feet are killing me....effing boots. They made of plastic!)

Tuesday - 14 November 2006

6:15 GMT - Wake up, get dress quickly and off to Stratopedo. I overslept. (Its winter here you
know...:)

7:15 GMT - Report at 40ME. Ordered to do some cleaning up of the back porch and pick up ciggerette "stompies". Stupid smokers are dirty people. In the back of the building
is a forest of pine trees and they throw their lit buds there. Tell me...how do you
extinguish a fire with your pistol or AK 47 Sergeant?

10:00 GMT - Sent off to the Store room to do some Stock checking. The building is in a bad shap and water is dropiing through when it rains. So now we are stuck with soggy sleeping bags and anoraks. So they have to be taken out, hung up on the "washing line" we put up. After that....wait...wait...wait.

12:00 GMT - Captain Alexis (who's responsible for the store room) comes to inspect everything
and see if there's progress in the drying of the stuff we hung up. Only one out of
20 Sleeping bags, and 2 anoraks are ready.

14:30 GMT - Times to pack up for the day. The General and his minions came to inspect the
building. Finally they realise its time to upgrade to CEMENT walls and waterproof
rooftops and ceilings.

15:00 GMT - Time to go home. Change into Citizen clothes and get the passport to the outside
world for the day.

15:30 GMT - Arrive home. Chat to my aunt. Prepare the bath and adds some arnica oil for the
sore feet and muscles that got stretched after carrying sleeping bags that weight
4 kilos each. (What's 4kg x 4 ???...Imagine that 20 times in an hour)

16:30 GMT - Sleep.....till 20:30pm. Wake up and feel....well...kinda zonked. Shouldnt sleep sp
much during the day.

22:30 GMT - Have supper and go out to check out the clubs Xanthi has to offer. We went to 2
places. One little taverna/Bar for drinks and chats and then off to a really nice
club called Chilly. Somehow they manage to find either models or potential
models to work at the bars. The women are HOOOOOT. There is not one bar lady
that got below 8/10 in the HOT-SCALE. I loved the music there. Stan, you would
have wanted to stay there all night. they played the best house music. Some Cafe
Del Mar Mixes. ATB, Scooter and some new dance music I havent heard in SA.
Plus I got to show the barlady's how to make Black Russian
drinks.Hey...Xanthias...should have been there. You'd be a proud man. We went
home 2pm. Was sad coz I had to go into Stratopedo the next day.

Wednesday - 15 November 2006

6:00 am GMT - Wake up...snooze.

6:20 GMT - Snap out 0f the snooze and jump into clothes. Walk to Stratopedo.
Brrrrrrrrrrrr...Its freezing here in the monring.

7:15 GMT - Report at 40ME.

9:30 GMT - Back to work at the Store Room. A whole lot of Repetition.

10:30 GMT - Sit down and wait for the sun to do the rest of the work. Its quite sunny outside so
my self and my buddy...who is also named Kostas chill in the sun and chat about
the army. All I need now is Clifton beach.

12:00 GMT - Captain Alexis comes to inspect. ( By the way, Captain Alexis' first name is
...Kostas!!!!)

14:30 GMT - Time to pack up for the day.

15:00 GMT - Time to go home. Change into Citizen clothes and get the passport to the outside
world for the day. ( You can see I copied and pasted this...Hehehe)

15:30 GMT - Arrive home. Change to a thinner coat and go off to check out the city center. The
town is pretty cool. Like I said before...its Cape Town without the mountain and
beach....but the European atmosphere and shops all the way down the stone tiled
roads makes you feel like you're in a special place. My feet are hurting but the
views and hot chicks walking by take my mind off it all.

19:30 GMT - Get home and eat souvlaki. Stan...the souvlaki here is a 100000000 times better
than Aris. But you already know that after our experience there with X and
Alex G.

20:30 GMT - Chill and watch Filmnet 1 (European version of M-Net's Moviemagic 1 Channel.)
Cant remember the movie...I was snoozing. Just remember the Greek Subtitles.
Some funny ones.

00:00 GMT - Off to Bed.

Thursday - 16 November 2006

6:00 am GMT - Wake up...snooze.

6:20 GMT - Snap out 0f the snooze, (was dreaming about one of the bar ladies) and jump into
clothes. Walk to Stratopedo. Brrrrrrrrrrrr...Still freezing here in the morning.

7:15 GMT - Report at 40ME.

9:30 GMT - Back to work at the Store Room. A whole lot of Repetition...you know the drill.

10:30 GMT - Sit down and wait for the sun to do the rest of the work.

12:00 GMT - Captain Alexis comes to inspect. We lie to him and tell him nothing is ready to be rolled up and packed. Rolling and packing is hard work...we have infinity to finish off...since both of us leave in February...the other idiots can continue where we leave it. We start countaing the days till we finish our terms. I have 82 days left. I have 6 days off for Christmas and can take noather 6 days off to chill. Thus I actually have two months of service left. Muahahaha.

14:30 GMT - Time to pack up for the day.

15:00 GMT - Time to go home. Change into Citizen clothes and get the passport to the outside
world for the day. ( You can see I copied and pasted this...Hehehe...AGAIN)

15:30 GMT - Arrive home. Change to a thinner coat and go off to check out the city center
again. Had lunch at Goodies. Goodies is kinda like McD's but MUUUUCH better.
Somebody should star the franchise in SA and Australia...for all my Aussie
friends......who's backing me up on this?


19:30 GMT - Get home and eat macaroni....and lotsa Feta and olives.

20:30 GMT - Chill and watch Filmnet 1 (European version of M-Net's Moviemagic 1 Channel.)

23:00 GMT - My cousin decides to take me to Komotini. A town 20km away from Xanthi. Its
Xanthi's version of Claremont...Ie. Studentville....much classier and the lady
students are HOT HOT HOT. We went to a bar where they only played rock
music..Springboks style. Not one song that played was made after 1992. Bar
ladies are still HOT. Funny....I havent seen one Bar man at the clubs we went to.
After the bar...we go to a club called ENZOs. Very NICE. Imagine Tank, without
the homosexuals, fish tanks and twice as big. And lotsa hot kotopoulakia. (chicks in Greek)

3:00am GMT - Get home. Sleep. Without much trouble.

Friday - 17 November 2006

6:20 GMT - Wake up...with MUCH trouble. Aij jai jai.

7:15 GMT - Report at 40ME.

9:30 GMT - Back to work at the Store Room. A whole lot of Repetition...you know the
drill...ofcourse you do...soon it will become an ART.

10:30 GMT - Sit down and wait for the sun to do the rest of the work. Chat to Kostas Number 2
about Cape Town. Get stuck on the topic of Jet-Skiing. He decided to make plans
on Jetskiing from South Africa to Greece. You all know my reaction. Imagine me
inhaling a tank of laughing gas. He plans to be included in the Guinnes Book of
Records. After listening to some logic he changes the route from Thessaloniki to
Crete...on a Jetski. Starts talking about taking coffee breaks etc in the middle of
the Meditereanean See. Hahahahahahahaha. True Greek.

12:00 GMT - Captain Alexis comes to inspect. We lie to him again...but he doesnt really care.
Swatch has Time. we have eternity. Continue chilling out.

14:30 GMT - Time to pack up for the day.

15:00 GMT - Time to go home. Change into Citizen clothes and get the passport to the outside
world for the day. ( You can see I copied and pasted this...Hehehe...yet AGAIN)

15:30 GMT - Arrive home. Crash on the bed...decide to sleep for an hour.


22:30 GMT - Wake up....FREAK out coz I lost track of time. It was indeed a deep sleep. Have
some souvlaki we ordered. Yeh...I broke the fast...couldnt do it today.

01:00 GMT - Sleep....after much philosophising.

Saturday - 18 November 2006

7:20am GMT - Wake Up. Allowed to come to Stratopedo an hour later since its Saturday.

8:30am GMT - Report to 40ME offices. Get told we can chill till 12. NICE! Back to Thallamo.

10:30am GMT - Our seniors wanted some company during their duties so we went there to
chat. They showed us how to handle the rifles and semi-automatics when we
go to roll call or stand guard. Quite a big thing coz you have to handle the
weapons with care even thought they empty. EMPTY GUNS KILL. After a
whole lot of training they test us out by calling orders and movements. The
thing is when you're ordered to make a movement with your weapon...you
may only do it if the order is ended with..ARM. We get tested and obviously
they test our hearing skills. they make an order without ending it in
Arm....Everyone moves...I scream....You didnt say Arm....Applaud from my
40ME team mates. Not just a pretty face hey!

12:00 GMT - Go home.

12:30 Have Lunch.

14:00 GMT - Here I am writing to you! Muahaha.

Right now....on the radio they are playing...SEETHER - Remedy. What Song! Proudly South African! Rock On Boys!!! I have a big smile right now. Encore!

Hello all!

Yes yes I survived the first week of Greek Army. In fact its been an interesting ride. Nothing like the movies and much more relaxed. The only problem I had was the weather in the morning and the Captain and Sergeant stating the obvious for hours lecturing us on cell phones when they have their phones ringing TATU ringtones during roll call. TATU????? What kind of grown man has a TATU ringtone??? Anyways I'll get you all up to speed step by step.


6 November-Monday - Day 1 - Arriving at Stavroupoli

We got there after driving through a series of mountains from Xanthi city. Pretty much a zig zag ride lide Chapmans Peak...just safer and lotsa sheep running around on the roads. We got to the gate and I went solo in. Now...before all this everyone was telling me not to be scared etc. I was like...I'm not going to prison RE. The more people told me to relax the more irritated I got. So I walked in and sat next to this huge dude who happened to be half Greek half Turkish. P{retty weird how the Greeks are training Turks now hey...but hey at least society has advanced here socially...well a bit. Anyways, so we get our bags searched. Nothing new to me since I've been stopped and searched at every airport from Cape Town to Jo'Burg to Athens to Cyprus to Crete to Kavala. The 9/11 attacks were in the US you idiots!!! And how can Colgate blow up a plane...please tell me! Plus they all wanted to see my laptop. Dude...there's no time for Lost or Prisonbreak...gotta catch a plane...malaka. Anyways...sidetrakced again.

After the search I march off to the admin building where I have to explain to some idiots where South Africa is nad how you spell Cape Town in greek. Other than that I get chirps about Cape Town losing the 2004 Olympic Games Bid. Oooooohhhh wow....congrats re. Get over it! Or as we say here..Ksekola RE! Anyways...I went for my medical check up and the doctor ends up asking me if I know where Bloemfontein. Yeh, its where the mielies are Doc. Can you say "mielie"? I get two shot in both my arms...I felt nothing coz they had a hot nurse I was checking out....I think that was why they had her there.

After the medical checkup I'm off to get my clothes. Damn are they heavy. It felt like I was carrying a mini-TANK in there.

By the way...there was a cue at every stop. So for those potential fandares....dudes...get some practise at your closest Department of Home Affiars.

After being alocated a room and bed I finally got to sit down. Only to get pushed around by wannabe drill sergeants who have no military degree. Wear this..wear that...try it all on.

So I did. Half the stuff were either too big or too small! "dude when I go to leopard crawl I wanna be able to move my legs...comprende?

So after checking the f&%^$#ed up underwear they offered us and a pair of long johns that stretched 3 meters after I wore them once....it was clear...I had to go change some clothes. Ie. More ques. Eish!

So we got dressed in our paralagies and reported for roll cal the evening where we were welcomed by the Chief. We went to bed at 10.30. After a long day and so mauch stuff going trough your head you end up konking out coz of info overload and exhaustion.


7 November - Tuesday - Day 2 - Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr its cold!

After months of waking up on your own time its kinda hard to wake up 6.30am in the morning, get dressed, make your bed, polish your boots, shit, shave and shower and brush your teeth in 30min. So some innovation had to take place. You have to be standing in lines by 7am. Now....the temperature is 2 degrees celsius and your wearing a new pair of boots and only the uniform. In your mind you're thinking of Clifton beach and asking why you traded that for ARMY in the Winter. But when the sun comes up....life gets better. At least a bit. After you find out that the Greek version of Breakfast in Greece is bread, butter and marmalde and some seriously dodge coffee in a see through tumbler glass.

The Cooks look like a bunch of thugs from mafia movies. Sitting there grinning as you eat the food....or in other cases..try. But I must say supper is good. We had Carbonara once. They were stingy in the sauce. But oh well.

So on the second day you get to learn about your team and the names etc. I was in team 3, Platoon 4, 1st Company. Feels offficial doesnt it. Well the dudes I was teamed up with were hilarious and made me laugh. The nice thing was they wwere all willing to help me with my Greek which got tested. Greeks here speak like those dudes that commentate on horse racing. They even muble to eachother and somehow they get eachother. Must be Greek ESp or something.

The Captains and Seregeants demand you to be able to say your name,surname, serial number and date of entrance before greeting them and asking questions. And they wonder why they such lonely old farts. So you wear a blue beret dude, can you say your name backwards at top speed Sergeant Papadoulopolakides? Bring it on brother!

Moving along now ...2nd day...where you have to fit everything on and find what has to be changed. This process goes on till 10pm coz you get some people who...well....find getting free mathching clothes rather extraordinary. And fear they may lose their freebies.

8 November - Wednesday - Day 3 - More changing of clothes...

Will they ever catch on! Bloody Kolopsara! Some people are slowely finding out that their kahki trousers and jackes are not meant to be tight and make the look like George Micheal or that their patterned trousers are meant to be full lenght and NOT 3 quarter pants. Our superiors are making us stay in our tiny rooms and exchange eachothers carbon dioxide whilse the heaters are on. When I said I wanted heat..this is NOT what I had in mind! And worse...we're not allowed to lie down. they fear we might crease our beds or fall asleep. At this point I'm reconsidering Army. I want my sleep MALAKA! Anyways...after standing up and down with tight boots on we finally get a chance to....GO TO THE LOO...in the other building! Turkish Style! A hole in the ground! Eish!

9 November - Thursday - Day 4 - Off to the Hospital

Becasue of my low blood pressure thay wanted to make sure I'm ready for the army. So they took me and 10 other dudes to Xanthi Hospital...about 30 minutes away. The stupid thing is they made us wait in the cold for 90min coz they couldnt make up their minds about which truck to take! Imagine if we hasd serious injuries and were dying! Greek Buraucracy continues.

On the way back I find out I get sworn in on Friday...TOMMOROW and will get transfered. Duuuuude!! Finnaly away from this Snow mountain.

Log on next week for the Transfer adventure....to Xanthi

Hello All

Well I'm in Athens now...loving it here. Checked out all the places and still have alot of trotting to do. But we'll do that after the army.

We're 2 days away from D-Day. I will be reporting for duty on Monday, 6 November 2006 at approximately 10am.

This last week has been rough as the winter is gearing up to full speed. In the last 2 days I've gone foe X-Rays of the Sternum, opened a Bank of Cyprus Bank Account.

The army requires X-Rays for some odd reason. Maybe they wanna make sure I was in 1 piece before they lay the smackdown on me. :D

Rumour has it that in the army base people are quite mischievous and will steal stuff like cell phones and money.

So its best to secure everything. I bought like 4 locks. One for the GUN, one for the loukaniko*, one for the locker and one for your boots so they dont jepp the stuff and mess you over with jail time.

There have been some rumours about the army but I'll try clear things up through weekly reports.

One thing is for sure...I will NOT be sent into war. In the case of war, I'll be a "helper" like a cook for example. The boys from OIK** will be in the frontlines.

So its all good.

As you may have noticed, I have added on some new features to this BLOG, At the bottom of th page you will see a GOOGLE Search engine for your convenience. There is also a visitor counter. I'm expecting all the SA and Aussie peeps to visit this blog.

There is also an accurate weather forecast on the area I"m based in.


So now you know how brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr freezing it is here.

I have also posted the lyrics of the Johnny Clegg song called Hayi We-Majongozi.

This song keeps playing my head and keeps me connect with Africa. :D

I'm starting to like it more and more and it will be ringing in my ears when I do the runnging and push ups.

Anyways,

Thats all for now folks.

Chat later

Ciao

Kapatown

Signing out....

* Loukaniko - The bag the army uses - named after the mezze they have here in Greece. Its like Boerewors but has a different taste.

** OIK - he Greek equivalent of the US Navy Seals...just rougher

Johnny Clegg - Hayi We-Majongozi

Hayi We-Majongozi
Young and Free
Hayi We-Majongozi
Warriors We
Hayi We-Majongozi
Stand Together

Today is the reckoning
Today we hold the line
Yeah
Today is the quickening
Of the blood and the soul and the mind
Yeah
I see the colour of spirit
I see the colour of pain
I see the colour of brotherhood
In the burning rain

Yelelele Yelelele

Hayi We-Majongozi
Hayi We-Majongozi

Hayi We-Majongozi
Hayi We-Majongozi


These are the days you remember
These are the days of dreams
These days of no surrender


These are the days of thunder
These are th days of life
These are the days of wonder

Hayi We-Majongozi

We are the river running
We are the mighty sea

Feel the spirit and the power

Today we stand together
Today we hold the line

Today we live forever

Hayi We-Majongozi
Hayi We-Majongozi
Hayi We-Majongozi
Young and Free
Hayi We-Majongozi
Warriors We
Hayi We-Majongozi
Stand Together
I can feel your heart beat
Like a warriors drum
Yeah
I can see your eyes on fire
Like the flame and the sun
I see lives in the balance
The future on hold
I feel a hurricane
And the courage in the bone

Yelelele Yelelele

Hayi We-Majongozi
Hayi We-Majongozi
Hayi We-Majongozi

These are the days you remember
These are the days of dreams
These are the days of no surrender

These are the days of thunder
These are the days of life
These are the days of wonder

Hayi We-Majongozi

We are the river running
We are the mighty sea

Feel the spirit and the power

Today we stand together
Today we hold the line
Today we live forever

Hayi We-Majongozi
Hayi We-Majongozi
Hayi We-Majongozi