Growing in Greece: We Travel in Packs

January 5th, 2011

3:55pm

Aghia Paraskevi

     Today I really got back into the production spirit. It's similar to my attitude 'back in the states' when I'd regret signing up for the program, thinking of all the things I could have been doing instead, all of the opportunities I would be missing out on, and then our pre-departure seminars on Thursdays would roll around and I'd leave meetings completely ecstatic and excited. That's how today was, I was getting a little worried about how our program was going to work out, the organization was a little off and no one really knew where they stood. But during the meeting we broke into groups for our respective positions and discussed our duties in-depth.
     Jamie and I are the associate producers, in charge of getting appearance releases, communication between videography, continuity, fashion design, actors, editors, writers, and production assistants. Originally we thought we wouldn't have enough to do, but after our meeting we realized we've got a ton of work ahead of us. Every time the script changes even minutely, we have to print and hand out copies to the entire crew. We have to make sure the director has everything he needs, everyone's doing their jobs and correctly, and that any problems are resolved immediately. I like having a task to complete and revel in getting them done well. Can't wait for this program! It's finally falling together.
     A huge mass of us decided going downtown today would hit the spot. We brought our one-week metro tickets and waited at the usual bus stop for around 15 minutes. Until we released the bus and metro strikes were going on until 4pm (they schedule their strikes, only certain times of the day) so unless we wanted to walk for an hour downtown was out of the question. So exploring Aghia Paraskevi was the new plan. We went from shop to shop, looking for our secret santa/Epiphany gifts. Greeks don't celebrate "Christmas" or as they call it Epiphany until January 6th, which would explain why earlier in the trip there was so many Santa's running around and Christmas music playing everywhere, so some of the girls from our program organized a white elephant/secret Santa gift exchange. Fun, fun, fun! We went to another crepe shop for lunch, I bought a knock-off diesel jacket at a shop, and we all mob-toughed it back home.
     As soon as we got back home, Brendon, Kristy, Caroline, Arnold, Linh, Emily, and I pulled out our laptops to start blogging in my apartment. SO FUNNY! My professor Taso during my History of Dissent class always talked about moving from an "open" to a "closed" society due to technology and institutions move away from "personal interaction" and this was the epitome of his lectures. A group of people, friends you might even say, sitting around the same table talking to each other through cyberspace. What has our world become? But we were having a fabulous time: pistachios, tea, Greek chocolate, Disney music, and photo sharing and editing- you just can't top that.
   Pretty Little Liars marathon time! Finally ended up watching the most recent episode with Brendon- so freaky! And then off to bed early of course. We have a free day tomorrow because it's a national holiday here- Epiphany- the Greeks equivalent of Christmas. Ready for a relaxing day full of catching up on assignments and furthering my Greek skills! :)

Associate Producer,

Susie Dobkins