tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51908589683129962262024-02-19T15:59:24.727+02:00It's All Greek To MeA blog written in Greece, about Greece, by a Greek who had the good fortune of being brought up between three countries ... Greece, Cyprus and, of course, the UK. Happy reading and please post any enquiries you have about travelling or buying property in Greece...Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-32045555456886500692015-07-03T09:33:00.001+02:002015-07-03T09:51:00.392+02:00Dynasty, Dallas, Coronation Street, Eastenders or just Greece<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The past week has been enough to last a lifetime. I really do not have the time to write up on my blog, as over the past seven years I have been working 2-3 jobs, 360 or so days a year. Not the point, though. This morning, as I tend to do every morning, I quickly read through the news headlines, ciphering through encoded politicians messages, sarcastic journalists remarks and I fell upon an article about the furious husband of a journalist who felt insulted by a politicians remark on her show. Reading on, I realised that the politician is married into a right wing political family - in fact she is married to the grandson of Mr Mitsotakis, one of the prime culprits of us being where we are now. Anyway, as I am rarely in front of a TV, I seemed to have missed that episode of the Greek crisis. I chuckled a little and went on to read another article. It was a mini article on which celebrities have publicly signed petitions on what they will be voting on Sunday. Another chuckle as I browsed through the names of the Yes voters. <br />
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It suddenly hit me that as I was going through articles, in English, in Greek, in German, in whatever language, I went back in time to my childhood days. Soap operas were the thing then, and, I can still remember not wanting to miss an episode, feeling lost if I had. It's a bit like that I thought. Then, I recalled the characters of the shows - great business moguls with their eccentric families made up of alcoholics, drug addicts, criminals, great looking mistresses in mini skirts and high heels and under dressed wives with a plan of revenge. The handsome bad guy, who you always wanted to hate, but he was just too cute and clever that you never could (OK - no Greek politician has got that role yet). The great empires that were hanging on a string due to corruption, lies, blackmail. The pretty little girls that attracted the pretty little boys. The poor guy, the crusader, working his way to the top, battling against wealth and power. Bearing his cross and going forward. A David in a world full of Goliaths. Then it dawned on me - I am actually living in a real-life soap opera. An eerie feeling came over me - maybe this is not real life. Perhaps this is all a facade, a "Truman Show", and if I get into a boat I will reach a wall with a door that will take me out into the true world, the real world and the cameras will be on me when I realise that I was living a lie.<br />
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Unfortunately though, reality hits and I am suddenly aware of the fact that this is real life. It is a soap-opera version of real-life. The characters are not characters. Neither are they people, because people, in fact, learn- from their mistakes or otherwise. They are puppets, their strings are pulled and they just follow their course. Some remind you of characters from war movies, brainwashed into what they say. I also realise that I would never be able to be a politician. I was never a good actress - a good singer maybe, but never a good actress. Everything I feel shows through my eyes, and I know that my eyes well up at the smallest proof of injustice or abuse.<br />
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I have lived in Greece for 20 years now. Never have I felt that I have lived in a fair, uncorrupted society. Never have I felt secure, either in my job or in my life. Never have I felt that I fit in. However, I live here, and I wake up each day doing things to make this the country it should be. It is a democracy, and for the first time, a leader wants to make a democratic decision. That, if anything, has to be supported. The poor guy, the crusader wants to make a statement, so I believe it is my duty to help him make that statement. Yes, it is definitely the wrong time of year to be making that statement, it is definitely a strong statement, and in this world of Goliaths he is definitely a David. But, in this world gone wrong, I would like to place my bets on that David, because like me, he has nothing and everything to lose.<br />
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Dynasty, Dallas, Coronation Street, Eastenders take a back seat because Greece is just about to premiere. </div>
Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-66859966354910465002015-07-02T09:36:00.001+02:002015-07-02T09:36:11.349+02:00Choose Greece<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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With all the turmoil around Greece defaulting on its debt and the government's decision to allow the people of Greece to decide the fate of their country, the world awaits to see what will happen. Best case and worst case scenarios bounce around TV screens and Internet sites. World leaders advise on hypothetical situations and plans B, C, D and so on are drawn up behind closed doors, in mystical locations by unknown persons. The banks have been saved, if that is what is worrying the rest of the world. <br />
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The people, on the other hand, are suffering. If you were to ask the Greeks about the referendum, you would probably be surprised at the answers you would be given. In a country gone wrong, those who remain here will be voting, basically, if they want euros or drachmas. Few realise what this means. Few understand the consequences of either options. However, there are people who can help. A clear message to all is if you want to help, visit Greece. Holiday here, spend money here, choose Greece. Pick a family run hotel- there are thousands - and just go there for a week or two. Make a gesture to help family's economies. We are patient and we keep being patient. For years now, we have seen homes broken, families degraded, businesses shut down. We may not understand trade agreements, the IMF, state bonds but we do understand austerity measures. Our parents have forgotten life before the Euro, and our children are being prepared and nurtured to leave their homes and their country as soon as they can. We are still smiling, though, because hope is the one thing that we cannot let go of. It is the one thing that remains intact. <br />
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If you really want to help Greece, then choose Greece. </div>
Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-64367293934694591792013-01-27T15:58:00.001+02:002013-02-20T10:28:04.409+02:00What makes us happy .... makes us !!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So after a long absence, I return here ... to what makes me happy. In my never-ending search for happiness, in this country of, what seems to be, never-ending sadness, I have found that reading helps me a lot. As a child books were my life, and I would lose myself in my thought provoking, imagination intensifying library, trying to find the meaning of my life. In spite of this, though, I still feel a big empty space somewhere. It is a void which I find especially hard to fill here in Greece. As a child I would spend hours in the public library, searching for newer, more exciting adventures. In a small Welsh town, being a foreigner also meant being different. Those of you who are Greek, or who have seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", will know exactly what I mean. The movie was no great exaggeration, believe me.<br />
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What I did not know at the time, was how special it is to be me. I had the fortune of living a double life. I had two completely different cultures invading my life every day, two languages battling their way through my brain, two ways of life... and I survived. I survived school, I survived university and I survived the working environment. The problem, though, was that I never felt that I fitted in. The rainy weather, grey skyline, 9 to 5 routine always felt a little alien to me. So, after great thought moving to Greece became an obsession until it happened.<br />
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Now, Southern Europe has a lot to offer - more than anyone could imagine... more than its own people actually realise. Having lived here now for nearly 20 years, its attributes far outweigh any of its drawbacks. Something that weighs heavily on my mind, though, is ...am I the only one who sees this? Greece has wonderful arable land, with some regions having virtually the most favorable weather conditions and soil for cultivation. It has clean seas, and wonderful beaches. Its tremendous history and wealth of culture is outstanding. Even its food is wonderful. So what is holding this great place back? Why isn't it the country it should be?... and more importantly why do I feel that, again, I do not fit in?<br />
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Each time I ask myself these questions sadness overwhelms me and I find myself incapable of understanding what went wrong. Now, as life here becomes harder and harder, and the government's measures become more and more ridiculous, I find myself asking other questions like why hopelessness is constantly in the air, and it's not just in the air - it's actually being spread through the air, by the media, by the local authorities, by the diabolical political system. Another question is why no-one seeks opportunities,and when I say no-one I really mean not one person. People are becoming more and more complacent and are just satisfied with the notion that we are all in the same situation - we are all going through this crisis together so what can we do? No-one can actually see any light through the tunnel and what's even worse no-one is actually looking for the light.<br />
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However, my topic today is happiness and my quest for it, so I will pause here and not go into the "greek sitaution" again. Happiness is an ideal we all live and search for. My imagination makes my happiness, so every day I search through my foggy mind in search of those things that I love, that make me happy, that put a stupid smile on my face for the whole day. I linger on those thoughts and let them captivate me. I see my dreams coming true and my life having meaning ... and that gets me through my day. I say thank you to everything and everyone just because I am thankful to them for being part of my life - reminding me that I should be thankful for life. In my mind, I remember that young girl who would search each shelf of the bookcase looking for that new adventure that would be the air beneath her wings. So as I try to find "happy", I suggest you do to... find that place in your mind where happy lives and go there ... often ... as often as you can ... and keep smiling .... whether you are in that small Welsh town or on that sunny Greek beach... find happy....</div>
Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-42128626500042848002012-08-30T20:21:00.004+02:002012-08-31T21:41:42.950+02:00Through my eyes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When I came to Greece, I knew what I was giving up, and why I was giving it up. I never imagined that I would regret my decision, nor have I done so, until now. I know you may all be aware of what is happening in Greece, but I would like you to see Greece, if I may, through the eyes of someone living through the crisis, and dealing with people who are living through the crisis. <br />
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Since January of this year, the lives of people in Greece have changed dramatically. Undoubtedly, something, somewhere was deeply wrong, but the whole nation had been feeling the strain of Greece's deficit for a long time. The late nineties and the beginning of the millenium were scarred by the stock market "bubbles", money laundering and bribery between the German Siemens company and the greek government. 2004, the year Greece held the Olympic Games, marked the true beginning of the end in Greece. The whole country watched in awe as the Athens was transformed, with new buildings, stadiums, roads and pavements in order to be able to endure the influx of visitors to the Greek capital. Euros upon euros were spent on changing the look of the city, and lining the pockets of those already rich enough to afford ringside seats at each of the events. As in every country, the only people who reaped the benefits were those who were able to get in on the game, while the rest of Greece crowded around TVs to watch the splendor of the opening and closing ceremonies - proud of their roots. Once all this was over, and the cents were being counted, it was already too late. Too much damage in too short a time. <br />
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Greece's main economy, tourism, has actually never been given the boost it should have been given,. Now, many people will say that Greece is an expensive country to holiday in. Yes, it is, however, although the tourism industry supports the country and its economy, the country does not support this industry, and in 2012 the warning bells rang as negative advertising, rises in fuel prices, cuts in transport to and from the country and general propaganda gave tourism a sharp slap on the cheek. Some may say this is an unfortunate order of circumstances, others may shout out conspiracy theories, but whatever the reason, Greece's main industry was hit from every angle and in every way possible.<br />
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The second main income, agriculture, has been going downhill for the last 20 years. The reasons for the decline in this sector varies, depending on who you talk to. Some people blame the size of farms, others the poor education of farmers, and many say that it is due to the "stiff" competition from other countries. The reality is quite different. Taking, for example, the production of olive oil. Greece is a main producer of, not only olive oil, but extra virgin olive oil. The cost of farming, producing and exporting this oil can be immense, but the actual money that is given to the farmer is extremely small in comparison. This year oil producers are selling extra virgin oil at around 2 euros per litre. Considering all the costs of the middle men, the packaging and exporting of Greek Oil, it reaches foreign shelves at around 6 times that price. No initiatives have been put into place to expand the olive oil industry - to make it an industry instead of just a raw material producer. No incentives are given to farmers to motivate them into producing more, experimenting more, or even learning more about this product. Some produce and export oil illegally, and by illegally I mean with no quality control, no standard packaging, no hygiene rules. To be able to export legally, the costs are just too high, and with the price of oil being as it is, farmers do not see it as a worthy business.<br />
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Greece is now paying for its over expenditure in the public sector, which is still bleeding the country dry, even after so many measures. But, yet again it is the uncalculable mistakes in the state system that has led to the downfall of a nation. Wasted money on faulty military equipment, well bribed public officials, overpaid underqualified civil servants, unsupervised school systems and parallel private after school systems, legal illegal immigrants, taxes upon taxes upon more taxes for the unpaid taxes, politician's off shore anonymous bank accounts - all these things have led to the Greece we know today. The Greece that works on a "who you know basis" even today, even now, even after the strain.<br />
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Despite all this, the pressure is being felt by all. The European leaders and European banks are succeeding in bringing a nation to its knees, not by battling corruption or reaching the core of the problem to find the solution, but by "hitting while the iron is hot". In all wars there is a strategy. There is a strategy in this war too. We, the pawns in this chess game, are not yet aware of what is going on. We may never know what is going on, but neither can we be expected to just sit back and watch. The foreign media has succeeded in doing what it has been told to do - sabotage. However, it is uncertain if the results are those that they have been expecting. It is thanks to foreign travellers that Greece can say that its tourist industry did not collapse, although much was done to steer things in that direction. <br />
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Who knows why we have reached this point of depravation and humiliation. It may be the energy resources in the Greek Seas, or perhaps its close proximity to the Balkans and Turkey. It may just be that we are, as everyone says, a nation of lazy couch potatoes. Maybe some of you have the answers, but somewhere deep inside I have that gut feeling that something else is going on.</div>
Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-27002101710996465242012-07-11T13:31:00.001+02:002012-08-05T16:11:12.217+02:00"Not even my name"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In my true search for an identity in this ever increasing multicultural society, I tend to read many books. I am a true fan of self discovery, and I am a great believer in the human mind. It intrigues me, it inspires me and it leads me.<br />
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My parent's stories are quite different, but also quite similar and sometimes even quite connected. My father's past is hidden within the depths of Pontus. His parent's were lucky enough to have escaped the mass genocide of whole races within Turkey in the early 1900's. My mother's story is again one of anguish. Born in Cyprus, she has survived the dissolution of her country - her home, again by the Turks.<br />
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In my quest to find me, as I said, I look for signs of my family's history in books, on the web, but mostly in other people's eyes. I enjoy meeting people who have stories to tell, and lessons to give which can connect me to me. Life is sometimes about connecting the dots, or piecing together a puzzle, and I am always surprised by the amount of times the pieces of my puzzle seem to fit perfectly, although at first glance you feel that they will not connect at all.<br />
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On a hot day, much like today, a new friend and I were discussing my parent's backgrounds, and she suggested I read a book called "Not even my name". Without hesitation, I ordered a copy of the book, and waited for days for it to come. Now, when it arrived, I was so eager to read it, but having<strike> </strike>so much work at this time of year and the phone's ringing constantly, I put it aside and decided to wait for a good time. Then the strangest thing happened. The telephone lines went dead - no phones, no internet, no fax. After my initial rage - the hospitality business needs its communication - I realised that I had free time. For at least 24 hours, I was able to spend some time reading. So I started to read late in the evening. The book was mesmerising. Thea Halo describes and narrates her mother's, Sano's, life - the life of a Greek Christian born and living in Pontus ( the area of turkey along the Black Sea). Her mother's journey involves losing her family, losing her home and losing her identity but also finding a new home, a new identity and creating her own family. The more I read, the more I could not put the book down. For the few hours I dedicated to Sano's journey, my imagination became my leader, as my mind filled with pictures of how my grandmother must have also lived through the same terrifiying and sad situations, the same grief, the same loss and the same new beginnings. Living in the UK, we were never taught about this part of the first World War. We never heard about the torment and suffering that was forced upon the Christians then. Reading the book, you will gain insight into why we were never taught these things.<br />
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Thea Halo has helped me to find myself more. I am sure she has also helped hundreds of other people, in hundreds of other parts of the world. There are people around the world who do not know their roots, some because they were never told, some because their parents or grandparents just wanted to forget and some because there was no-one left to tell them about their past. Thank you Thea for your enlightenment and for filling in a small part of my past.<br />
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<a href="http://www.notevenmyname.com/">Not Even My Name Website</a></div>Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-90705646994004358232012-07-04T17:10:00.000+02:002012-07-08T08:41:12.998+02:00A Giant Rat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There are some wonderful Greek entrepeneurs, scientists, teachers and normal every day folk around the world, getting on with their lives, living their dreams, existing and surviving. Living in Greece has become a very difficult fact of life, and a true struggle is now developing as to whether we should allow our future and the future of our children to be determined by events and decisions beyond our control. In view of the new austerity measures and the poor quality of life, people are now desperately searching for new avenues to explore. With the financial crisis looming over our dreams and determining our destiny, it is, to say the least, most worrying to have disturbing messages conveyed from other countries within the Eurozone. <br />
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The German Newspaper, The Bild, is so concerned about the Greek crisis that during May and June, months when people are still mulling over their holiday destinations, it warned all German's that if they travel to Greece they will be welcomed by angry mobs, empty banks and racism. I am certain that no German faced these problems while holidaying here. On the other hand, I am quite certain that if the entire staff of the Bild newspaper were to choose Greece as their destination for this year's holiday, it would be a good idea to keep their occupation a secret. <br />
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The British Prime minister seems to be agonizing over the crisis so much, and is so determined to help resolve the problems that his empathy towards Greece has been ringing in the Greek nation's ears all day. His solution to the problem is to close all doors to Greeks if their country should leave the Eurozone. A reality too harsh to believe, because obviously the first thing that the Greek citizens will do is pack their bags, close up house, emigrate to another country and start from scratch. Of course their first port of call would be the UK, as it is so close to home. Mr Cameron does not seem to mind the already established Greek High Society of London, who have invested their secret fortunes on England's green and pleasant lands, though. I wonder why ?<br />
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This great interest in the Greek crisis and the willingness of all these people in all these great nations to "help", is actually leading many people to ask questions as to why all this is happening. The fact is that there is actually very little hostility towards any other nation in Greece. Any bad feelings are towards the government, its ministers and the more obvious than ever corrupt political system. Furthermore, if anyone were to ask if Greeks would be willing to leave their country, their homes, their families, their businesses I think that, for the most, people would be very reluctant. Difficult times lead to complex circumstances and, sadly, emigration may be mandatory in some cases - but Mr Cameron, I really don't think that the whole of Greece is going to come knocking, and if they do, you will be getting the best of the best.<br />
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All in all, yes there is a crisis. The middle and lower classes are facing taxes on top of taxes, wage reductions, a poor health and education system. The weakest link in the Greek System is its politicians and the "turn-a-blind-eye" attitude they have adopted over the years. Its strengths, though, are immense and if I were looking at the situation here from an outsider's point of view, the propaganda, panic mongering and economic warfare that continues to burden our society would lead me to believe that something is not quite as it should be. I smell a giant rat, but unfortunately I am too small a cat ...</div>Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-76660879069398614862012-02-09T11:04:00.001+02:002012-02-09T11:04:17.005+02:00Looking forward ?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Over the years I have written about the strange feelings that I have had living in Greece. Today, having been bombarded by the news over the last 24 hours, I have come to realise that I was never wrong about Greece. I have posted about the incompetence of the governing bodies, I have posted about the corruption, I have posted about the inadequacy of the whole system and today I realised that now, after so many years, some people have opened their eyes and see the problems. This changes nothing, of course, because the reason that people have opened their eyes is not because of the great concern about the country's people or its future, but because of the fear of the consequences on the other European countries. The past has been a case of "looking the other way" and "filling our pockets" as far as the rest of the world and Greece's politicians are concerned. As Europe now judges Greece's political system and its incompetency at dealing with its debt problems, it does not judge its own disregard of the country and its own "use" of the country in the past. Going into details is a long and tedious road, but as today's leaders "tire" themselves out behind closed doors looking for answers, nobody can see a future.
The people of Greece are really not stupid. Many have been shouting and screaming about the problems for years, but unfortunately nobody listened. At the moment, most of the nation is just sitting and watching its politicians putting on a tragic theatre performance, which, by the way, is not even entertaining. Greece does have problems but it also has many attributes. I agree with the fact that Greece has a lot of negative points, but I also know that if the Greek people are willing to change and create their future, this country's prospects can be limitless. The European Union has "put up with" Greece, as they put it, but Greece must find the right leaders, use its strengths, work on its weaknesses, and find its true identity within a correct and just system. Only then will it flourish.<br />
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</div>Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-7515661158634401882011-09-02T08:31:00.002+02:002011-09-02T10:30:10.121+02:00A WORLD GONE WRONGUndoubtedly, one of our major concerns these days is the economic crisis. Pure logic, not mathematics and not science and definitely not politics, must be the solution to the problem. I may not be politically correct but I am angry... angry at this world gone wrong which is, in my eyes, a world full of billions of intelligent, hard-working souls and led by thousands of egocentric paper pushing bureaucrats.
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<br />Why do I say this. Well, let me put a logical aspect on how the world is. Firstly, over the last centuries, it is well known that all wars which have taken place have all had an unjustifiable reason. Be it petroleum, natural gas, wood, strategic positions - all are unjustifiable. Thousands of people are rich today due to the fact that they have used the earth's natural resources to make money, and not a little money may I say, but billions upon billions of dollars. Where are these people today as the world's economies hit rock bottom ?? Well, I think I would be right in saying that most of them are in their nice, over-sized, over-roomed homes, making the most of their nice, over-sized offshore bank accounts. Stress and worries over stocks and market shares abound in their daily lives - stocks and market shares in what - natural resources !!
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<br />Today, all around the world, capitalism has caused the world to collapse. Well, wouldn't it? It is great to have money. There is nothing more satisfactory after a long hard day at work, to see that you have managed to put some money aside. Well, when did these people have a long hard day at work? On the other hand, billions of people around the world, having been inundated by the media (which is owned by these wealthy few by the way) are now searching for ways, not to put money aside, but to survive. Cutbacks are being made in everything - schools, health systems, basic wages, pensions. Governments who have invested people's taxes in this world gone wrong are now looking for more ways of squeezing more money out of these people. Think about it. How hard do you work? How many hours and how many jobs do you do? How devstating is it to see that your children's future is not a future ? The people of every country - not the rich - but those that make basic wages, those that have 2 or 3 jobs, those that pay their taxes, those that are honest and hard-working, those that do not illegally make money, those that do not hide behind corrupt politicians, those that still believe in their dreams, those that give from their heart, those that just want to live in a world not gone wrong.
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<br />Today, the country I live in, Greece, is facing one of it's most difficult years. The country that founded democracy, that was once a leader in art, that basked in wisdom, that lost many of its children in its fight for independence is now a country struggling to survive. This should never have happened. External and internal policies are both to blame. External and internal factors which are unjustifiable. Treaties and agreements have been signed in order to cover the undeniable corruption and previous messes made over the past decades. All of the qualities of this country and its people were thrown out of the window for the sake of the "affluent" few - and those same qualities are now being squandered in a hopeless "fight for survival".
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<br />It is essential to understand many things about each country and its stability. The reason that today's society is the way it is boils down to two things - multiple wrong choices and the wrong people for the job.
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<br />At some time Greeks were proud to be Greek, but now I think that pride is the last thing on any Greek's mind. Today's feelings are of resentment, disappointment and anger.
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<br />As a Greek immigrant, my feelings are even deeper than that because I know this country and its people have many attributes that have been slowly suffocated by its so-called politicians "beliefs". As a wife and mother, I hate myself every day for having to prepare my children for a future in another country - for their own good. As a teacher, I have nothing left inside me to teach the future generations. As a businesswoman there is no more to give because everything has slowly been taken.
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<br />So, folks wherever you are in the world, look around you. Look at nature which has the capability to survive catastrophes, wars and natural disasters. Take a good look, take a photo and remember it, because there will always be someone, somewhere with their hand in their pocket ready to <span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">sell</span> what was never theirs to begin with. Politics and politicians, corruption, the "white " black market are only a few of the factors that have led to this world gone wrong. So let's start making it right.
<br />Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-54116699231093014712011-02-03T16:08:00.003+02:002011-02-03T16:50:57.119+02:00Recession or depression ?As the months pass I realise that I have not blogged, and the reason is quite simple. What wonderful things are there to write about ? Not many really. As you may know all of Greece is undergoing drastic changes, and these changes are not good.<br /><br />The Greek Economy has been an issue talked about and raved about all over the world. Experts in economy spend hours each day writing about it, discussing it and frankly basking in the glory of knowing all about it. Greek television has spent hours of quality viewing time analysing the political scenarios of how Greece will be able to endure this economic crisis, greek newspapers have wasted incredible amounts of ink informing the public of the ins and outs of all the supposed government expenditure and cuts, and what must really be said is just left unsaid.<br /><br />I live in a country that has allowed itself to rot. Millions upon millions of euros, dollars and any other type of currency that was ever worth anything has just simply disappeared over the years and no-one has the slightest idea why. Well, the reality is this - corrupt politicians, deals behind closed doors, underqualified workers in top managerial positions, pocketing of the state's money and many other illegal acts which have never been revealed have led to the disintegration of a country which has so much in its favor. <br /><br />Today, the least of Greece's problems is its national debt. If you ask your typical pensioner, student, small businessman about these problems, they would probably shrug and say that their problems are much more severe, and the truth is that they are much more severe. <br /><br />The world's economic problems have had much more impact on Greece. The Greek people have known for years about the sheer apathy and constant corruption of their leaders. This is not today's news. Today's news is that Greece is now home to thousands upon thousands of illegal immigrants, refugees trying to find their way to a brighter future somewhere on the planet away from their already destroyed homes. Today's news is the families and businesses that are being destroyed and torn apart because of decisions made by affluent men and women around foreign tables. Today's news is how to keep their homes and families safe from the increased criminality. Today's news is how to get by on so little money. Today's news is that the banks have not become more lenient to their borrowers (most of whom never knew what a loan meant until the kind banks started their telesales). Today's news is how to survive depression and everything it entails. <br /><br />What has the government done for its people? Nothing. For the past twenty to thirty years - absolutely nothing. What is it doing now? Draining every ounce of energy from every one of its citizens and leaving them with nothing. Honest, hard-working decent people are being drained of any dignity, any dreams, any ambitions and any hope that they had. <br /><br />The Greek Government had better act quickly and find solutions before its own citizens become the thousands upon thousands of immigrants seeking refuge within another government's borders.Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-90040636641224006992010-07-31T08:48:00.005+03:002010-08-03T13:33:23.559+03:00Greater times to come ??Due to work and other commitments my time is very limited but I just had to find the time to keep you updated on what is happening in Greece.<br /><br />Well, the story so far is that the planet's economic crisis is just not enough to keep this country in order, although for all you out there who believe in conspiracy theories, I do believe that this must be one of the biggest and best. You just need to look at the logical sequence of events, government spending and do a little math to see how much we pay in taxes, where it goes and why we don't see the half of it, to understand that the whole panic tactics are covering up a great deal of other things - but that's just my way of looking at it. Anyway, back to Greece. Summer is here, and you would think that this would be the best time to work at selling our greatest assets - the sun, the heat and the great seas. Well, it seems not !!!<br /><br />Apparently it is the best time to strike, and who is striking - the truck drivers who deliver petrol. What is their problem? It seems that the austerity measures that have been taken by the government ( I say this with a lot of hesitance because there are conflicting theories about which government of which country is actually taking these measures) has had a devastating effect on this industry. Which industry? The most profitable industry in the world - the oil, petrol and transport industry - an industry which actually controls everything everywhere in the world. The truck drivers are protesting because licenses are now being given to companies rather than to individuals. But, this is apparently the best time to strike - with tourism having fallen around 25%, and August being the busiest month of the year in this industry - it is the best time to strike.<br /><br />The reality of Greece, for all those who do not understand what is going on, is that politically, Greece is a country which went from absolute dictatorship to absolute democracy but with no sense of right or wrong. In a world full of conspiracy and invisible puppeteers who pull even more invisible strings, it will be very difficult for Greece to stand on its own feet.<br /><br />My opinion on this whole matter is that there are a lot of competent people out there who can make a difference and make this the country that it is supposed to be - and this should have been done years ago. As for strikes, we should all look at the root of the problem and not the surface - the people of Greece should start to understand you never never "bite off your nose to spite your face" !!!!!!Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-79706317710379987192009-11-05T18:23:00.007+02:002009-11-05T20:39:26.666+02:00Greece 's Hidden Treasures (1) - Velvento KozaniA recent business trip to Thessaloniki became the reason for me writing this post. Of course, Thessoliniki is a beautiful city, with lots of things to see and do, but I must admit that the nicest part of my trip was a stopover at Velvento, a small village near Kozani.<br /><br />Now, getting there is very simple indeed. It's about a 30 - 40 minute drive from the new Egnatia Highway, and hidden from all eyes, you will only grasp how beautiful it is once you get there. Velvento is a village with about 4000 residents. The main income is from the peaches, which are some of the best in the country, but as I was told when I was there, they are mainly grown to be exported. As you climb the southern side of the Pieria mountain, you are surrounded by the beautiful forests, and below you the view of the Polyfotos lake enchants and calms even the most tired of eyes.<br /><br />Once you reach the village, you suddenly feel that history and mythology become one. The houses are distinct, having the shape of an eye on their external walls. The streets are narrow, reminding you that you are in a rural area, and along with the sound of running water and the wind rustling through the leaves, you feel that there could be no other place on earth quite as calm and as beautiful as this.<br /><br />Along its long winding roads, you will see small churches scattered (there are about 80 in all) and something which seems unique to this place is that each church has a small outhouse next to it, fitted with a kitchen, hearth, spit, tables and chairs. I was informed that lots of families meet here on weekends or holidays, and cook and eat next to the churches, paying homage to the saint whose name the church holds. At one church we stopped at, the spit was actually turned by the running water coming from the stream running along the road. I had never seen this before. The family who had been having their Sunday picnic there, welcomed us with a glass of tsipouro and a piece of home cooked revani ... two great Greek delights.<br /><br />As you ascend the mountain from the village you can actually walk up to the Katafygi waterfall. I must admit that we did not reach the observation post to see the waterfall, only because it was starting to get dark, and we did not know how long it would take. From photos, though it did look spectacular.<br /><br />Velvento is one of those areas of Greece that has not been hit by commercial tourism. It is a walkers and hikers paradise, a paradise which can be enjoyed every season of the year. Its residents seem to be prepared to go the extra mile to make you enjoy your time there.<br /><br />So, if you are ever near Kozani, make sure that you take time to visit one of the most scenic places in Greece, and find your peace near the home of the Gods.<br /><br />My title links to the official site of Velvento.<br /><br />(Special thanks to Sakis and Annie, who dedicated their time to show us this wonderful area)Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-81117691253710890062009-10-22T09:52:00.002+02:002009-10-22T10:28:27.683+02:00Facebooking in GreeceNo, you didn't misread the title... and yes I have grammatically changed the word facebook. As a facebooker, today I decided to dedicate my blog to this current phenomena, fad, new trend (call it what you will) in Greece.<br /><br />I recall that when I first found facebook, it was by chance. I had googled the name of an old schoolmate, and voila, I found a page which would not allow me to find more information until I became a member, so I did. Once I became a member, it then became easier to find more and more old friends, and suddenly I found myself lost in a whole new world - the world of reconnecting, remembering, catching up. No more "I wonder where "so and so" is" or "whatever happened to "whats-his-name". No, Facebook had suddenly opened up an entire new link to past, present and future. In true "me" tradition, I would spend any free few minutes punching in names of old and new friends, and I must admit, seeing those old faces, I felt that I had a more complete picture of me, all in one place, on one page. Now don't get me wrong, I am not one of those people who sits in front of a computer all day, but I really did find this site fascinating.<br /><br />Since the day I logged myself into facebook, I have watched this new virtual experience grow and nurture itelf in Greece. The actual rate of growth is phenomenal, and watching it happen is even more fascinating. For those of you who don't use facebook, you have the ability to write small notes on your page, comment on your friend's notes, play games, use various applications and, the most exciting part, chat to friends who are online, in real time!!! A whole new world of psychotherapy has opened up. You can post a note when you're feeling down, and suddenly friends are cheering you up. You link to a song that defines you, and friends can tell you they like it. You can upload photos and friends can see what you see every day. You can be a whole other person on facebook, and this is where the problems start.<br /><br />A whole other person. A world within a world has been created. Teenagers are facebooking all day, sending messages, sending signals. Bored, lonely, interested, in love, out of love. Whatever they feel, they just post it and it's there for all to see. People who live next door to eachother, who sometimes don't even say good morning to eachother, are suddenly chatting on facebook. Kids who are with their friends at school all day, are now with their friends at home too. So, is this a healthy way to be?<br /><br />I don't know the answer to this question. I know that facebook has become a part of my day, and it has given me the ability to connect my past to my present and my future, but I am sure that here in Greece it has started to make social life a little less social.Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-61943703516408720472009-10-08T10:36:00.003+02:002009-10-08T11:03:28.228+02:00An odd encounterToday is a positive day. I think yesterday had more to do with the way I'm feeling today. You see as I was out and about doing my day's jobs, I encountered an acquaintance. I have known her for a while, but I didn't really know her. As I sat down with her - to talk about a job I wanted her to take on, we began talking and as bits of information began to spring up here and there, I began to really like this person in front of me. Before yesterday, all we had said to each other was a polite hello, but all of a sudden I got the feeling of connecting. It was a wonderful feeling, one that I think I live for, and yes, as I sat in her office, I got that feeling. <br /><br />As I drove back to my humble abode, small bits of the conversation started coming back, and the only thing I can say is that it made my day. It's funny what or who life throws at you, and that meeting made me realise that life is not a series of coincidences. This is what I have realised about life. The way we think of it, is the way it is. I think of my life as an adventure, an adventure with a goal (what I call my vision or my dream). The people we meet along the way are not coincidental. If we take the time to learn a little about them, most of them are just small parts of us - the parts we all too often forget about. I always have the feeling that I am a very lucky person, because the people I meet along my life's journey spur me on to become me. I know that this may seem ideological, and maybe you're all thinking " yeh - you don't know people ! " and maybe I don't. What I do know though are two things. Being me is a very important part of my life - not me the mother, or me the career woman, or me the teacher, or me the wife but ME - my dreams, my thoughts, my soul. The second thing I know is that I love to learn. I love to learn about the little things - the things that make us tick, that make us go on when going on seems possible, that make us shine.<br /><br />So, a very big thank you to Stella, although I did not tell her- one day I will. She has made me realise that there is always someone out there who, with a little of his or her time, is just helping us realise who we are.Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-15385490959381441002009-10-05T08:54:00.004+02:002009-10-05T09:19:07.690+02:00Election fever ... the day afterAfter a long day, yesterday saw the triumph of the Greek Socialist Party in the 2009 elections. At 7.00 pm, the ballots closed, and the results started to pour out of each region. That's when the surprise began. I think that most Greeks did not expect the outcome that was to become one of the biggest landslide victories that Europe, let alone Greece, has encountered. <br /><br />The reasons why were debated on every political programme broadcasting around Greece, and when the Prime Minister, Mr Karamanlis, announced his resignation, only the sound of silence could be heard. <br /><br />Greece is a naturally politically motivated country. Perhaps the reasoning and logic behind the corruption which has become Greece's signature over the past years, is due to the people's use of politicians to get what they want, with the minimum effort. The despair that has hit the world, and this country over the last year, has left each person with only one road to go down - the road of hope.<br /><br />As the page turns, and a new day begins, I believe that the Greek people sent a very clear message to all yesterday. If you give us something to believe in, then we will pave the way for a better tomorrow - but tomorrow has to be better than today. As yesterday's results show, the time for change has come, so PASOK has to prove that they are the right people for the job.<br /><br />As for me, political parties are the people's way of expressing their views and beliefs. The determining factor in all our lives is our own drive, our own goals, and our own dreams - each person can make a difference, not only through their political beliefs, but through making their dreams reality. So, as a new day begins, and change begins, each and every one of us should be heading for our own greater tomorrow, shaking off all of yesterday's dust.<br /><br />Have a great week.Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-70175484020377087962009-09-30T11:28:00.003+02:002009-09-30T11:56:40.074+02:00Change .... seems to be in the air...So, after a very busy summer, and no time for relaxation, I come to you with news. As Greece prepares for its elections, I have focused on my own small, but important, changes. As I am writing this post, I am in the process of closing up my language school, and opening a smaller establishment, and basically finding a more economical solution.<br /><br />The past two days have been quite difficult, throwing away the excess of 15 years of my life seemed daunting at first, but as the first bin bags departed, I realised that I should do this more often. Building up a business is not an easy job to do, and as I opened files and notebooks full of teaching plans, comments, marks, it became all the more obvious that I had detached myself from that part of my life. 15 years suddenly disappeared, and I felt that I was starting a new adventure, a new life. Reading my way through my "trashing everything" day, I was surprised at myself for not feeling nostalgic, and then, as if I had been hit by a bolt of lightning, I opened my financial documents for the last 15 years. That was when it dawned on me that the amount of money I had lost in this business was far more than anything I had gained. All I could see were numbers flashing around the pages - the "Joneses" owe 500 euros, the "Smiths" owe 1000 euros. At one stage I sat at my desk and thought, let me just add up what I am actually owed, but as I punched the first page into my calculator, it was clear that I really did not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">want</span> to go there. So, along with all the other rubbish, the file just fell into the bin, and a weight disappeared from my shoulders. Gone were the memories of the " I'll come and bring you the fees next week," and " we're <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">just</span> having a few financial problems at the moment, but we'll get the money to you by next month." At that moment I just let them go.<br /><br />I am not giving up teaching, don't get me wrong, but I am making changes. I have to bring up my 2 children and give them the necessary things they need, but I plan to do it on my terms from now on. So in May this year, I decided that this would be the end of negativity and the beginning of a new me.<br /><br />30 garbage bags later, and 10 boxes of necessary stuff, I have almost finished the packing. My heart feels lighter, and the smile on my face remains. I know that I have done a lot of good in my years here as a teacher, but I also know that my potential is so much more, so without any feelings of remorse, I carry myself, and only the good memories, into a new tomorrow.Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-29209798108016224762009-06-19T08:03:00.003+03:002009-06-19T08:31:44.053+03:00Hit me hard ... I will not fall...Ok, a hard week is slowly coming to an end, and looking back on it I must say that it was one of those times when you just have to say, "c'est la vie". I started my fitness regime again, hoping that I can get rid of some of this everyday stress. It is becoming more and more difficult to keep my patience, and I have found myself trying to find solutions to problems that were not even caused by me. This week's dilemma began with a harder look into myself, trying to find the imperfections and smooth them out, even make them disappear if I could. As I started my power walking, I found myself contemplating the accusations which have been slung at me all week. Too nice, too helpful, too patient ...too me... apparently. As work starts to pick up, everyone seems to have an opinion about everything, and their opinions seem to be the right ones. As I walked, I suddenly realised that becoming me ... this too nice, too helpful, too patient person... was not at all easy. All the people around me are so difficult to live with, that I have to be the one with all the answers, all the positive energy, all the right things to say, and this has become a way of life. Irony, sarcasm and negative energy fill the air so much that sometimes I feel that every breath I take will suffocate me. Yesterday, though, for about three hours, I took a break from them all. It was so simple to just forget everyone and everything for a small time. It was such a good feeling, that I realised that even small escapes are worth the effort. I must admit that I have to thank two friends for just helping me forget everything for a little while. Just talking - about nothing and everything - cleared my mind enough to be able to return to work with a smile, although it did not last very long.<br /><br />So today I start with a different thought. Yes, there are problems. Yes, negative thoughts are always around, but I just say Yes to life. It has become too short to waste. It is too good to miss. So I say yes to too nice, too helpful and too patient. I say yes to good people. I say yes to the world. My story will be one with a happy end. As for the rest of you - hit as hard as you can ...Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-55375067140840704072009-06-01T21:29:00.002+03:002009-06-01T21:44:23.597+03:00Greek Summers ...Lots of people from all over the world, have enjoyed summer holidays in Greece and still enjoy them. The tourist industry, more than most industries, has taken a great blow this year, and it is still uncertain whether this will be the first of many uncertain summers. In this unsettled climate, the pressure is on all areas within this industry to weather this storm, but the signs are that this may be more of a downpour than a mere shower. In this area alone, most of the hotels opened their doors to custom today, the first of June. Hotels that have been running for years, and have been opening since the beginning of May, as in most areas, found it more economical to remain closed, rather than open for the few tourists that were around. A difficult choice in difficult times. Another amazing fact that with the Orthodox Whitsun Bank Holiday around the corner, some hotels will remain closed and will open at the end of this month, waiting for the high season to arrive so their costs are kept as low as possible. <br /><br />What are your thoughts on Greece as a tourist destination? It would be great to hear your views.Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-24796270443981136862009-05-29T12:55:00.004+03:002009-05-29T13:11:25.378+03:00To vote or not to vote - That is the question...With the European elections around the corner, the Greeks have turned their attention to the bank holiday weekend. The general public has turned its once political fanaticism into political indifference. Since the economic crisis reared its ugly head at the end of 2008, scepticism over the country's governing body has risen, and the reaction of the people is one of pure disdain.<br /><br />The motto of the day, as temperatures have hit the 30's over the last week, is "We vote the beach" and as the days pass, it is all the more noticeable that many Greeks will be spending the day of elections, weather allowing, in holiday resorts around the country.<br /><br />This is not only a message for Greece, but for Europe on the whole. The people who have been elected to represent us are losing their credibility. A sign of the times ? Or maybe a time for change. In whatever way we classify this indifference, it will be interesting to see what the outcome will be on the day of elections.Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-1068951786188217852009-05-28T16:29:00.005+03:002009-05-28T17:22:36.187+03:00My toothbrush and II recently completed a Facebook survey, which was quite enlightening. It was a tarot card survey, something like "Which Tarot Card are you ?". (Yes I do find time to pop into facebook now and again). Anyway, the Tarot cards say I am The World. I must admit it gave me a curious feeling of power at that moment. The World !!! The thought, however, took me back to a time when my dreams actually meant something, and I really did believe that they could come true. As a child, not that I have changed very much, I believed in so many things and had so many dreams, that made the world seem such a beautiful place. The open doors seemed endless, and anywhere could be a destination, as long as I was me. All I needed was my free spirit and my toothbrush - or so I believed. Growing up, though, in a Greek family, in a foreign country slowly diminished my dreams, and life seemed to become just an endless routine - make money, pay the bills, make more money, pay more bills, and that is just how it has become. I am now reaching a point in my life where I feel that somehow, somewhere I lost my dreams, and therefore I lost me . Family commitments, problems day in day out, inhibitions have all become a part of me that are not really me. Waking up this morning, I looked in the mirror and to my dismay I found that I did not recognise the face that was gazing back. A tired looking woman was staring at me and all I could do was let a few teardrops fall. I wondered if this really is all life is about - chasing a pot of gold, that in reality I will never have, as I was never meant to have it.<br /><br />My thoughts have now turned to introspective dilemmas, and a blanket of insecurity has seemed to have appeared on my once very secure shoulders. Nobody seems to understand, and let's face it, why should they. I also found myself wondering why on earth I seem to care so much about others. Why do I spend so much of my time talking to people, listening to problems and solving them if I can, trying to put a smile on people's faces? When it comes down to it - nobody actually really cares. Caught up in their own little worlds they just forget. That's all. They just forget. It's a human thing, something that cannot be changed. So, why do I refuse to change? I could just become meaner, nastier, thinking only of me. But I can't.<br /><br />These were my morning thoughts. Not that anything has changed during the course of the day, nor will it change over the months or the years. My need to find my dreams again, though, is becoming much stronger, and the urge to escape from my days is sometimes more than unbearable.<br /><br />My dreams, my toothbrush and I - and the world could be my oyster !!!!Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-65728142999714094182009-03-17T19:32:00.004+02:002009-03-17T20:13:41.892+02:00No TimeHaving been recently chastised for not updating my blog, I decided that it was about time to write up the latest news. The truth is that time is of the essence, and lately I have not been able to find enough of that luxurious state of mind.<br /><br />Having been ill all of last week, I was ordered to stay at home and recover. During that week, I was appalled at the low quality of TV in this country. Now it is almost impossible to stay at home and not watch TV. I did read a lot, but as I read a lot anyway, I thought I would surrender myself to the sofa, and the TV - something that I really do not have time for. After one day, depression started to set in. After one week, I just felt like dying.<br /><br />Early morning TV was filled with every social problem you can think of. People talking together, with really nothing interesting to say, apart from a whole lot of whinging, were actually preparing the rest of Greece for a good day !!! Then, when these early morning shows finish, the brunch shows begin, giving us lots of information on all the gossip - as if we really need to here about stars who are raking it in and what they are up to in their private lives. Then the rest of the day consists of more idle gossip, repeat TV shows and nothing in the least bit motivating. It is quite disappointing that if you do not have the financial ability to afford satellite tv, you actually have nothing to watch but trash - all day long.<br /><br />A fairly new Greek Channel, SKAI tv, actually had a great morning programme up until the beginning of this month. I may be biased, but it was great to be able to watch documentaries from other parts of the world, great cookery programmes, and all in all something more motivating than any of the other channels. Unfortunately, they have also fallen into the trap of having a morning show, which for all its great quality, is really not what you need to feel that you are starting a new day.<br /><br />Thank God I am now feeling well enough to be able to come to work, and fill my time with more imoprtant things. At least I do not feel the worlds problems looming over my head. The flu virus was nothing compared to the psychological and mental torture of Greek TV. Fortunately, some channels have the good sense to show movies and documentaries at night so that we can actually learn something or just be entertained...Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-77332466371374547142008-12-09T13:52:00.004+02:002008-12-09T20:13:30.879+02:00Enough is never enoughAs you may all have seen and heard, the news from Greece this week sets us apart, yet again, from all other civilized countries.<br /><br />On Saturday evening, a 15 year old boy was shot to death on the streets of Athens. What was to follow was, to say the least, a wave of crime and violence all over Greece. The fury of the public has reached a peak, and no-one has even an ounce of humanity in them to accept that what we have witnessed over the last few days is not only screams of rage for an unacceptable crime, but also the consequences of living in a country where corruption reigns.<br /><br />Whilst watching scenes of cities burning all over Greece, I could not decided whether I wanted to be there, in the streets, fighting against injustice, or whether I would prefer to merely write about this so called "just, democratic system", or whether I wanted to scream for there to be a god who would give Alexander his life back. I realised then, in all my fury that nothing is right. I have lived through a lot of pain. My parents have lived through wars, through military governments, through hardship... but now, at this very moment...nothing is right. When our world collapses, it's different. It's different because there is always the bigger picture. The whole world around us is the bigger picture. Lives continue, people go on. But what happens when the bigger picture collapses. Where do you go from there?<br /><br />At one moment, hearing the news that the the Dean of the University of Athens had handed in his resignation, a terrible thought went through my mind. It was a thought that I wish I had never had, but one that has possessed my mind during the night. What if this was all a set-up. Maybe I have watched too many movies, but what if the rioting and the burning and the looting were all part of a different plan. A plan to take our attention away from the reality. The reality that a young life had been put to an end even before it had begun.<br /><br />I have never seen a city collapse so quickly. I have never seen Greece pillaged and torn apart, and those were the scenes we witnessed last night. So terrifying and destructive that nothing could take our attention away from them...nothing...<br /><br />The leaders of our country are no longer leaders, as for almost seven hours the countries heart was being torn apart and nothing was being done. Today our leaders are declaring a war against those who rioted, those who destroyed, those who burnt down people's businesses. Today, those people have decided to, basically, do nothing. Nothing to take back any ounce of the corruption that is seeping its way through Greece's veins. Nothing to make any sense of the death of a 15 year old boy.<br /><br />"<em>Give a man a fish</em> and you feed him for a day. Teach a <em>man</em> to <em>fish</em> and you feed him for a lifetime"... or in our case ..."Give a man a gun and you make him feel safe. Teach a man to shoot and you make him think he's God."<br /><br />In memory of Alexandros Grigoropoulos.Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-34533057823908163322008-12-03T11:06:00.003+02:002008-12-03T11:45:39.936+02:00Sometimes losing means winning."Imagine all those people coming home."<br /><br />A while back I wrote an article about the Hellines who live abroad. Today' s post is a little about me, about them, about you.<br /><br />With the current economic situation ruling our lives, I took a step back from the news, and the aftermath of the world's worst nightmare, and decided to think. Again, I am a dreamer, so I will ask you to dream with me - imagine once more. This time, my imagination took me to a different world, maybe a world far from yours, called "My home, my choice". In my experience, the choices that we make, are the ones we have to live with. Now, I have made a decision to change this. the choices that we make are just choices. Nothing in the world can stop us from making different ones. What will happen if we do? Will the world suddenly come to an end. Will we all suffer in despair for changing things. No. Choices are choices, and once they are made they can't be unmade. But they can certainly be changed. <br /><br />Many Greeks have made their homes elsewhere. Financial security, better living standards, more opportunities are a few of the reasons decisions were made. In my previous post I discussed the possibility of returning to a homeland, which seems unimaginable, but today, with the unbalanced global view, it may not be impossible. <br /><br />My heading "Sometimes losing means winning" is also the motto of this post. Think about it. What would you lose if you gave up a life elsewhere to return to what most people call "patrida" - home. Let me tell you what I "lost" when I came here. Firstly, I lost my nationality. I was born in the UK. Secondly, I lost my prospects, I had been headhunted for a position in a multinational company. Thirdly, I lost my worth. The list is actually endless, and can go on for pages, but that's not what I want to dwell on. Losing can mean winning. The amount of things I have lost in my life will probably remain lost. When I lost these, though, there was always something to be won. Today, I looked at myself in the mirror, and realised that life is not about losing. It's not even about being afraid to lose. It's about winning. We only get one chance at this, so we should start getting good at it. I'm not talking materially, I'm talking fulfillment. Winning means looking at life in the way we are supposed to look at life. I came here with dreams and I am not going to give them up. Looking around me, the blue skies, the green mountains, the fertile land, the deep blue seas were once something worth fighting for. People have lived and died for this piece of the world. We have been respected for preserving our heritage and our history, so why do we not respect ourselves for it. <br /><br />Greeks are winners. They are proud, and they are winners. All of you out there, living all around the world, remember who you are. This country does not have the leaders it should have. They are not responsible enough, and don't care enough to do any of us any good. They have also lost something - they have lost their way. Maybe we all have. There are so many traps out there, who wouldn't. It's time to find our way back, though. You may all have something that is needed here. You may have everything that is needed. Doctors who love saving lives. Teachers who love teaching. Builders who love building. Leaders who love their country enough to lead. Life is not about losing. It is about loving and respecting who you are, where you are and why you are there. This is what this and any country needs. <br /><br />We need to protect what makes us different, and that is our heritage. Cultivating our crops in a healthy manner. Giving back what we have been given - a country which we should be proud of, not robbing it of everything it has. <br /><br />What we lose - maybe a bigger wage, a better house, the best TV, the fastest car. What we win - life. Maybe it's not just a dream.Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-28636137608377222612008-10-29T13:08:00.003+02:002008-10-29T13:35:52.182+02:00Working...and cleaning!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nwkniterati.com/movabletype/archives/MossyCottage/cleaning.GIF"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 203px;" src="http://www.nwkniterati.com/movabletype/archives/MossyCottage/cleaning.GIF" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This week is rather a hectic one, and each day just seems busier than the one before. Yesterday was a Greek national Holiday ( I should really write a post about this - but not today ), and in the evening the citizen's group, that I am fortunate to be a part of, had a meeting with the deputy minister of economy and finance, with regards to the pipeline I have previously written about. Nothing new there, unfortunately. The problem really is serious, but my understanding is that our battle is against more people than we had originally expected. It is a constant battle, and one which will go on for rather a long time, as I can see.<br /><br />As I clambered out of bed this morning, I tried to organize my day in my mind. First I would have to deal with the housework. Now as all working wives and mothers know, this is not one of the easiest jobs. During the winter months, though, I am fortunate enough to work after midday, so my mornings are "free" (in inverted commas because I have more than enough to do apart from the housework.) Anyway, as I started to go through my routine, I thought that I could maybe share some tips, and get some tips from readers, too.<br /><br />About two weeks ago I decided to change some things in my daily routine. The first was the fact that I left all the housework to be done on the weekends, something which I really hated. So I have now spread my chores over two (sometimes three) mornings. On the first morning I do the bedrooms - change sheets, dust, sweep and mop. That leaves the bathrooms, living room and kitchen for the second morning. Whilst doing all this, I also manage to cook the daily meal before I leave the house and also do some ironing. All of this means that I can spend my weekends with my kids, and I also don't tire myself out in one day.<br /><br />It is really important for me to have a clean house. It's not only personal hygiene, but also wonderful to smell the fresh air going through the house. Greeks are generally renowned for their housework, and you will rarely visit a Greek house and see things lying around for days. Apart from daily chores, that involve tidying, washing and ironing, most Greek women will take out their carpets, sweep and mop on a weekly basis. Some do so more often, but for those of us who also work full time, it is a question of finding the time.<br /><br />Anyway, that was just half of my day today... now I look forward to the next half...work!!!Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-10278307023635405792008-10-27T14:10:00.002+02:002008-10-27T14:37:16.356+02:00Lessons learnt ... lessons to be learnt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtWjJvX9LlqPzPKt4akGqwaEJi2g__0OUp5VlEPl7eKGlHbySdbqBN3tpSCbVfAhTOwv12CA01UyjdWN_EGdtA6CO_FXdenwWFT5LcSizF8SZPf-qqNOL4IE0Z64jpetZipUR0dsdvUA0/s1600-h/P1000052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtWjJvX9LlqPzPKt4akGqwaEJi2g__0OUp5VlEPl7eKGlHbySdbqBN3tpSCbVfAhTOwv12CA01UyjdWN_EGdtA6CO_FXdenwWFT5LcSizF8SZPf-qqNOL4IE0Z64jpetZipUR0dsdvUA0/s200/P1000052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261811470061326226" border="0" /></a><br />Now that autumn has set in, and the summer season has come to an end, I have found the time to set about writing up some posts. Today I would like to look back on the previous season, and tell you about what has been going on... do some catching up.<br /><br />Well, to begin with the summer was a great learning experience. I had a wonderful, but tiring, time getting to know the hotelier business, and believe me I now know only about one tenth of what I should. I think the best things that came out of this summer were the people I met, and the relationships which started. I know that, whatever else, I am a better person from all this. Firstly, I met a wonderful lady, manager of a hotel in a nearby area. She was able to help me in things I did not know about, and also in a way I could not have imagined. The hotel guests though were the main positive aspect of the summer. I felt a surge of energy whenever I could be of help, and whenever I could spend time just talking to everyone. It seemed that everything was meant to be... you know, when everything just clicks into place. I must admit there were times when I thought that I was about to collapse from all the pressure, and believe me, every day had a new problem, a new "something to be done", but it jsut felt right.<br /><br />I think that I mostly enjoyed sending people in the right direction. I loved that people felt relexed and were able to enjoy their holidays in peaceful surroundings. I loved being able to solve problems and finding solutions to every day issues. I loved looking at the potential of this area, and knowing that I was helping it become recognized as a great holiday destination.<br /><br />The learning curve, though, did not end there. The negative aspects also have to be considered, and they were probably the most beneficial parts of my summer. Mu guest book is full of wonderful comments, bu there are also the parts where the guests, confident enough to be able to express themselves, left any negative feelings. One thing that they definitely could not accept was that the area lacked sign posts, lighting, good roads, public transport and generally public services which are lacking in the area.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the season here is still quite short, and government funds are not adequately invested ( although it can be said that nobody is sure what actually happens to government funds which come into the community).<br /><br />One thing I have definitely learnt is that I do love anything to do with the travel industry, and I am looking forward to spending more of my time looking inot what I can do to get this area recognised for its natural beauty. <br /><br />Anyway, as I strive to learn, I would just like to say that the experience was one of the best I've had.Giahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190858968312996226.post-12368010443738302422008-08-06T12:10:00.002+03:002008-08-06T12:57:03.640+03:00A room with a view...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyU0t0VrOVoYW70ABW7yQCRO5SEyPBcnXCTxvjkI34-x5EVbCv19Dw955Usf8d63j9EfXMueXfqsb2vNFkwbU4Fb4fu8E56-2n1U9dOB_U26aBeVwPFztwH7pv_c506Vtu7x11fv0Mrj_/s1600-h/IMG_9947.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyU0t0VrOVoYW70ABW7yQCRO5SEyPBcnXCTxvjkI34-x5EVbCv19Dw955Usf8d63j9EfXMueXfqsb2vNFkwbU4Fb4fu8E56-2n1U9dOB_U26aBeVwPFztwH7pv_c506Vtu7x11fv0Mrj_/s200/IMG_9947.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231341394779441922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNphOmE2x4InLD7vl6OnvrUoVM0SuEGEdkh_HdGlgznUnnPpW2-ACTVF6CcBjW9rd2K7Lv4aun3AP7tWXinxTeZRBhL2CdwWfrsvmVR4a5csMn8y-d-oxhTFnmjC0RihzvfE9vajurs1cA/s1600-h/sunset_01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNphOmE2x4InLD7vl6OnvrUoVM0SuEGEdkh_HdGlgznUnnPpW2-ACTVF6CcBjW9rd2K7Lv4aun3AP7tWXinxTeZRBhL2CdwWfrsvmVR4a5csMn8y-d-oxhTFnmjC0RihzvfE9vajurs1cA/s200/sunset_01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231341395649540914" border="0" /></a><br />As we are in the midst of summer season, the temperatures soaring towards 40 degrees Celcius, and my new line of work is going through what I like to think of as the calm after the storm, and not before, I have found one of those rare moments of "me time". The view from my window is a dream as the palm trees waver in the wind and the waves can be heard slowly brushing the coarse sand. Time seems to be standing still, just enough for me to be able to gather my thoughts... a rare event over the past few months. I cannot believe that with all the rooms and hotels in the area filled to the brim, and the beach thriving with tourists, that the only sounds that can be heard are those of a calming nature. Every so often a car passes, and there is a constant hum of Greek music coming from the distance, but other than that the cicadas and the sea are the only noise polluters around.<br /><br />I think I must have mentioned in one of my posts that I was taking up a new post as a hotel manager. It has been a great experience, and despite the problems we encounter every day, I have to admit that I am loving every minute of it. With less than six hours sleep every day, I still wake up every morning ready and willing to start the day with a smile. I think it might sound a little odd, but I love people. I think I was born with the will to want everybody to be happy, and this job has given me the opportunity. I spend most of my day working in different parts of the business, but my favourite time is the five or ten minutes I have to chat with various guests. Whether it is about the hotel, the service, their lives, the area... everything seems so interesting. <br /><br />Anyway, duty now calls, and although I don't think I have said enough, I'm sure I will find another five minutes again in the future.<br /><br />Thanks for your timeGiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400947546091251102noreply@blogger.com3