Choose Greece

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.

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. 

If you really want to help Greece, then choose Greece. 

Second Chances ... or not...

I don't know whether the time I was born, the year I was born in or my upbringing have anything to do with my character. In the past two weeks I have been trying to look at myself objectively, and find answers to questions that have been niggling at me for a long time. An objective look at my character is that although I am strong and can handle almost anything, I am also very sensitive. I am always looking for change, but can never seem to find it.

Recently I was given the opportunity to take up a new job offer. It is doing something I love - running a hotel. It gave my spirits a boost, knowing that I would be disassociating myself from teaching which has worn me down - as you already know if you have read earlier posts. The most daunting fact, though, is that although I'm ready for everything, I really want to give it my best. It is true that recent statistics have named this region the poorest region in Greece, and this is not something an aspiring business woman wants to be faced with. Another factor is that the hotel needs some serious changes, something that can't be done without financial backing - also something that I have to deal with. Having no capital makes it all the more worrying.

Even so, I am keen to make a go of this. Something that I have to do though is stop teaching over the summer season, and also risk losing my students as a consequence.

I am a positive person, and I do believe in following my sixth sense, which is telling me to go ahead with this, although everyone around me seems to be less optimistic.

So, anyway... any ideas of how to get financial backing and make this an ideal holiday destination would be handy at this point...

Thanks for listening....

Is it just me ????

Sorry I haven't written in a while, but problems arise, and have to be dealt with.





Something I heard a few days ago has been at the back of my mind, and I feel like sharing it with you. Living in a tourist region can be very hectic, especially during the summer season. People come and go, friends and relatives visit, although I rarely have time to see them. Here in Greece this week is probably the busiest week in all of Greece's tourist resorts, and everywhere seems to be fully booked. Now what I heard may not seem unusual, but I will tell you about it anyway.





Due to the time of year, and the demand for rooms, some people have thought it wise to move out of their homes, renting them to passers-by, who have been searching high and low for places to stay. It seems that anywhere you go, you can find people willing to give up their own homes in order for the weary travellers to have a place to stay. Seems fine. A good deed. Some may even be astounded that there are actually people who care enough to do this. That is what I thought, until I found out the prices they were charging!!!



You see I am a positive person. I always try to look on the bright side, but this really did take my breath away. Newly married couples with month old babies are moving out and tourists are moving in.



A sign of the times you may say. The European Monetary System seems to have affected our lives in ways that we would never have imagined a decade ago. The situation is drastic and as every country has its fair share of problems, although the weaker links, including countries like Greece are now going through a very difficult stage in the globalisation process. With no industrial foundations, no incentives, no real investments outside the areas of the two main cities, Athens and Salonika, foreseeable improvements in quality of life are not on the horizon. So what do we do? What future do our children have?



Greece seems to be turning into a country with two main classes, which I have classified in my own way- the "haves" and the "have nots". Those who have money and those who don't. Those who have connections and those who don't. Those who have education and those who don't. Those who bribe and those who don't. Those who pull strings and those who don't. The list is endless, but the worrying factor is that there is no middle ground. Banks, loan sharks, money launderers prosper, while people run from job to job, trying to make ends meet and live a comfortable life.

The bottom line is that the Euro did much more than unite European countries with one currency. It changed everything, even personalities. The Greek State, as most states, did not prepare their people for drastic consequences - consequences which are now coming to light, as bank lending reaches its peak, and poverty begins to rear its ugly head. I am no expert, but all I see are full pockets , that are being lined with even more, and empty pockets, that now have holes in them.

Is it just me letting myself become pessimistic or are there others out there who feel let down?This is our Europe. This is our Greece. This is our home. A home we are willing to sell to the highest bidder. What will be on the market next??

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.