Greece

Author: Effie Tassiopoulos

 

1. country in Southeastern Europe, situated on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula.  It borders Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to the east.[1]  Population 10,706,290.  Capital: Athens.[2]  Official language: Greek.  Climate: Mediterranean; mild, wet winter and hot, dry summer.  Terrain: Mountainous interior with coastal plains; 1,400- plus islands.[3]
2. country my parents, grand parents, great grand parents etc. are from.  Birthplace. Villages. Dirt roads.  Fields.  Country in which my roots lie.  My place of origin. My first words.  My heart.  A missing piece of myself. 
3. the root of my frustration.  One of the sources of my language conflict.  A source of pride.   
4. source of longing.  Country in which the majority of my family remains.  Cousins, aunts, uncles, grand parents, nieces, nephews.  Place of reunion.  Country I dream of returning to.  
5. a place full of ocean, sun, light, love, family, friends, sand, islands, hope, history, faith, tradition, religion, language, culture, my life.