Lessons learnt ... lessons to be learnt

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Anyway, as I strive to learn, I would just like to say that the experience was one of the best I've had.

Corruption.....

Having little time, I'm finding it hard to keep my blog updated, but today I felt the need to keep you updated on the story of the gas pipeline. So, the story of the pipeline is....

After 8 months of hard work, and fighting hard to keep this beautiful part of Greece ... beautiful, yesterday we were informed by an executive of the Greek Gas Company, DEPA, that they have done nothing in these 8 months to find a different location for the pipeline. The Greek government has done nothing, the company has done nothing, and as far as the local authorities go... they have done nothing. For 8 months we have been in touch with Greek ministers, members of parliament, and the result has been that they have not even blinked an eyelid.

Yesterday evening the representative of DEPA confessed that the only reason he was in the area, was to pressure the local communities that the gas pipeline and compression station should pass between the tourist regions of Perdika and Sivota. He stated that in 8 months NOTHING has been done in reaction to the uproar of the local communities.... NOTHING AT ALL. The reason it cannot go somewhere else... simple... he could not answer. Both the company and the government have spent 8 months lying to all and sundry. Stories of officials coming from Holland to find a new route- blinding all the residents of both areas to the actual reality that nobody cares.

We really need help here!! As far as the state and the company is concerned we are a bunch of villagers who don't even know what gas means. As far as they are concerned it is a risk free venture, with no danger. As far as they are concerned a compression station can blend in with the environment and go unnoticed to tourists, to the villagers, to all. As far as they are concerned there is a little or no pollution. As far as they are concerned it will bring affluence and wealth to our homes. As far as they are concerned, we have no say in what goes on in our own homes, in our village, or in our country.

For the past 8 months they have ignored all of our pleas. They have started to make anonymous phone calls to people who are involved with fighting for their rights. They have tried to bribe others to keep quiet. They have even bought off reporters, TV companies so that they don't talk to the people of the area. A journalist told us that lots of money has been spent to keep the story inder wraps. They have spent 8 months playing games. They have put all their energy into inventing stories about the people who are fighting against them. Even the local authorities have been forced to keep quiet. Well this has just got to stop.

That, folks, is the Greece we live in. THIS IS EUROPE!!!!!!!!!!! If anyone can help, please get in touch...

http://greece-and-i.blogspot.com/2008/01/2500-souls.html
http://greece-and-i.blogspot.com/2007/12/keep-noise-down.html
http://greece-and-i.blogspot.com/2007/10/advice-needed.html
http://greece-and-i.blogspot.com/2007/09/perdika-greece-we-need-your-help.html
http://greece-and-i.blogspot.com/2007/10/perdika-greece-natural-gas-pipeline.html

Keep the noise down!!!!

It has been such along time since I have written, but there is a very good reason for this. Firstly, time has become a precious commodity, since I have been involved in fighting for the right to keep our community, Perdika, an environmentally safe place. Let me get you all up to date on the issue of the gas pipeline and compression station which we were made aware of in September. Since September, the people of our village, more than 200o residents, were informed of the construction of a compression station on the beaches of our village. The transit gas pipeline would be passing through our village and into our seas, transporting gas from Turkey to Italy. No attempt was made by the authorities to stop the plans, and so a group of local people decided to take the future into their hands. Our progress up to now is listed below:

1. Letters to all the authorities and government ministries about our concerns.
2. Meetings with the local authorities about the effects of such industry in this tourist region.
3. Meetings with scientists and environmentalists about the effects of the compression station.
4. Interview with local and national media about this venture.
5. Petitions with over 1000 signatures (and this is only the beginning)

These actions led to the Greek Gas Company DEPA, to a decision. They decided to look for a new route for the pipeline. The nearby town of Igoumenitsa proposed that the pipeline and compression station would be best situated on the outskirts of the town, where an industrial site was planned to be built anyway. The results though are still unknown. DEPA asked the locals in our community to keep the noise down, to not talk about the effects of the pipeline and compression station. The local authorities asked us to keep the noise down, to not fight for our rights, as it was a case of give and take. Our Mayor even had the audacity to claim that we had to let the company plan their route because, as he said, if we didn't then our village would not be given any funding for other plans that have been made.

KEEP THE NOISE DOWN!!!! This is the answer of the authorities and government officials. This is the answer of people who have been voted into their positions by us!!! This is the answer of the Greek State.

Our answer is no. We have rights which cannot be trampled upon by anybody. The only reason we can think of for keeping the noise down, is so that the company can do its job without bothersome locals, without fear of being stopped. If this is a venture of national and international significance, our voices must be heard. We are nationals. We are Europeans. We may live in a village, by choice, but we are not about to let our dreams, our hopes, our future, our livelihoods be thrown away just because it is convenient, less costly and less of a bother to pass through this area.

This is our home. These are our clean beaches. THIS IS OUR LIFE.

Thank you for listening.

PERDIKA - GREECE - WE NEED YOUR HELP !!!!

I know that many of my posts have been about the area I live in. I love it, that's why I write about it. Our village is now faced with a dilemma. It has been decided that a natural gas pipeline will pass through our village in order to transport gas to Italy.

Over the last 10 years, there has been a great increase in tourism development in the area, in keeping with the natural beauty, and this has led to an increase in visitors to our area.

This has been a slow development, but each and every resident in the area, are now part of this industry. Hundreds of families depend on the summer tourist season, as this is sometimes their only form of income. Now we are told that one of our most beautiful areas is going to be turned into a construction site for the next few years, in order to build a pipeline, from which nobody in this region, or in any part of Greece, will benefit. Not only that, but once it has been built, we will then have a compressor station in the centre of all the main seaside resorts.

Our problems are now the risk of a seaside resort being destroyed, not by a natural disaster, but by a man made disaster, that may easily be avoided. Hundreds of families are now looking upon a future living next to an industrialisation zone, and the fear of losing their hotels, rented rooms, restaurants, and small businesses now lies alongside the fear of pollution, destruction of fauna and flora, among other ecological problems.

I am not an expert. I do not know the consequences of such a venture. All I know is that a feeling in my gut tells me this is not right. Something tells me that the results will not be positive. What I need is expert help. Our village needs to know what we are up against. The photo I have on today's post is of the beach which has been chosen for the compression station. Please, send me any information you can so that we can be well informed about this and if possible, stop it.

A review of yesterday's meeting in Greek at http://www.thesprotiabloggers.blogspot.com/

The Ionian coastline - Perdika - A place to visit

Now, I'd like to tell you more about the coastline in this area, as I feel it is really worth visiting. Firstly, the largest and most frequented beach in there is Karavostasi. It's about a kilometre long with clear blue waters hidden between lush green mountains. On the one mountain there is a large hotel and on the other you can find one of the oldest archeologicla sites in the area, the ancient town of Elina. Karavostasi is an open bay with deep waters, so it is ideal for those of you who love swimming. Hotels and rented rooms can be found at a close distance to the beach, so you are able to stay nearby. All the hotels offer excellent service, and most are family run, so there is always a warm atmosphere. Restaurants and bars can also be found, and a bus service can take you to and from most places within the Perdika limits.

Arilla beach is ideal for families with younger children. The shallow waters make it a safe place to sit and let the kids play. Fine sand covers the beach and there are also rooms and restaurants along this beach. A small harbor is also ideal for those of you who may be sailing around the Ionian Sea.

Agia Paraskevi is another of the most popular beaches in the area, and is next to two other smaller beaches, Kamini and Agali. Here you can also find rooms, hotels and restaurants.

As well as these, there are five more beaches along the coastline, all accesible, and all just as beautiful as the main beaches. Some are ideal for those who like peace and tranquility. All are clear, clean and ideal for those warm summer days.

Perdika...past, present ...what about the future....

I thought I'd write a little more about my village today. It seemed the obvious choice this morning, as the grey skies had cleared, and the waters had got their sea blue colour back. Over the last decade, we have seen a change in our village, as more tourists visit, especially over the months of July and August. The change is not enough to give us the title of "holiday resort", as not having at least a six month season does not give the locals the chance to expand their businesses, but it is enough for people to have a job in the tourist industry, at least for three months of the year. The funny thing is that we are very close to some of the biggest resorts in our area Parga and Sivota, but because of the uniqueness of the area, a plus in my mind, it is not chosen as a holiday destination. Let me explain. The village is actually set in the mountains, overlooking the Ionian sea. The islands of Paxos and Corfu can be seen in the distance, and it is about 6 km from the coastline. Our beaches are about a fifteen minute drive...nothing really...and we have the clearest waters on this side of Greece. I think it is perfect. A smooth combination of nature, sun, sand and sea. There are hotels on all the beaches, small, family run businesses, but also very professional. There are also many rented rooms, a campsite which cater for every one's needs. It does actually provide something for all ages and all tastes. The hotels are in areas where peace and tranquility reign, but the village has plenty of authentic Greek restaurants, offering Greek specialities as well as international cuisine. Fast food outlets provide the traditional souvlaki and pita. Fishermen sell their catch every day, so fresh fish is always available. There are cafes offering coffee, drinks, ice cream, open all day every day of the year. A local cake shop brimming with fresh desserts is a must, and well at night you will always find one of the two bars playing any music you ask for, so you can dance syrtaki until your feet drop off. All this in the same area. Yesterday I wrote about the other facilities available, so I won't go into detail again, but apart from the other shops here, there are also plenty of places to buy souvenirs and anything else you may want. You really have to see it, to actually understand it. The small churches hidden within the forests are worth searching for, so trekking along the road to the beaches is a journey with surprises along the way. Personally, I love it, but I also know that once somebody visits, it does become a place you want to come back to.

May in Greece

...one of the hottest Mays we have seen in years, and as the temperatures rise, so does the need to hit the beaches, get tanned and fit. Every year, at this time, as the summer clothes are pulled out of their dark winter storage boxes, I always seen to wake up with the feeling that something is about to happen. I don't know if you ever get the feeling that you were born to be doing something other than what you are doing, but I wake up with that feeling every day. Walking along the roads in the village, the warm breeze drifting slowly past, I feel optimistic today. I don't know why; maybe it's the bright colourful flowers blooming in all gardens, maybe it's the view of the coast from high above, or maybe it's just being thankful for what I have, which apart from my family, is not that much, but I definitely do feel optimistic. A couple of travellers have just come riding in, on their bikes, from a nearby resort, Sivota. They are British, and as I accidentally eavesdrop n their conversation, I am overwhelmed with a feeling of wanting to go and answer their questions, but I hesitate, as I think, let them discover, let them talk to the local people, and get into that Greek feeling. Then my thoughts wander as I see them ride away, and hope they will have fun.

The temperatures are set to hit the mid thirties, and I must say that although I do moan about Greece, and living here, it is a great place to visit. This area is filled with lots of different holiday spots. Places to go with a family, as a couple, alone, you will always find something to do or see. 7 different beaches await people to fill them, all with something different to offer. What are you looking for? Nightlife, sun, tradition, good food, well organised hotels, you can find everything here, and not only that but we are so close to so many other places. Corfu is now only two hours away. Parga and Sivota, both holiday resorts are a fifteen minute drive in opposite directions. The archeology in the area is renowned, with Nekromanteio, the gateway to Hades, an hour away. It really is wonderful. So, do you want to visit?? Send me an e-mail. Post a comment. Let me show you more of why I love summer in Greece....