Listening to the news, I heard someone mention the Greek island of Kos. I thought I should find out more, and because it was beautiful and interesting, share what I found.
As you can see by Itzl's concerned look, this group is for us to check in at to let people know we are alive, doing OK, and not affected by such things as heat, blizzards, floods, wild fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, or other such things that could keep us off DKos. It's also so we can find other Kossacks nearby for in-person checks when other methods of communication fail - a buddy system. Members come here to check in. If you're not here, or anywhere else on DKos, and there are adverse conditions in your area (floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, etc.), we and your buddy are going to check up on you. If you are going to be away from your computer for a day or a week, let us know here. We care!
We have split up the publishing duties, but we welcome everyone in IAN to do daily diaries for the group! Every member is an editor, so anyone can take a turn when they have something to say, photos and music to share, a cause to promote or news!
Ok, we have a current diary schedule. If you would like to fill in, either post in thread or send FloridaSNMom a Kosmail with the date. If you need someone to fill in, ditto. FSNMom is here on and off through the day usually from around 9:30 or 10 am eastern to around 11 pm eastern.
The island known as Kos is in the Dodecanese Island group and only two miles from the Turkish coastal town of Bodrum. It is approximately 25 X 5 miles, with 70 miles of coastline; population approximately 33,000 people.
Residents of Kos are known as Koan (in English). The island has a long history, including a mention in Homer's Illiad of sending fighters to the Trojan War. It was known for fine wines, and silks manufactured by woman slaves. Hippocrates was born on and taught at Kos. With a few exceptions the island had peaceful times until the Medieval era; perhaps due to a well fortified port and a flourishing marketplace.
However, between 1315 and the end of WWII the island has been controlled by others; starting with the Venetians and then The Knights of St. John for two centuries. The Ottoman Empire took over for the next 400 years, but transferred it to Italy in 1912. Axis powers were in control of Kos until the 1943 surrender of Italy. Germany then defeated Britain for control, but after Germany's surrender, Kos became a British protectorate until 1947 when the island was ceded to Greece.
Today the beautiful island depends on tourism. Folks are attracted to Kos for a variety of pastimes, including swimming at beautiful beaches, lively night life, archeology and paleontology.
http://en.wikipedia.org/...