Bringing the world together
Houstonians welcome Olympics with food, friends
The ouzo flowed in
The Greek Houstonians that own Byzantio Cafe in Montrose planned to celebrate the return of the games to the homeland with every blue and white concoction they could pour into a martini glass. The specialty drinks included
Greeks are not the only ones raising their glasses to athletes from countries near and far.
In a city nearly as diverse as the Olympic village, Houstonians will cheer on athletes from most of the 202 countries represented in this year's games. And they will do it in the style befitting immigrants and second- and third-generations: in a blend of cuisines, friendships and loyalties.
"It brings the global world together," said Nigerian Jackson Iheomamere, who has spent nearly 25 years in
Iheomamere planned to celebrate the opening of the Summer Olympics with family and friends and their favorite Nigerian dish, a spicy gumbolike soup. He no longer knows the African athletes, he said, so he reserves his cheers for the Americans.
By RACHEL GRAVES
Copyright 2004
