One of my favorite things to do when I'm home is to go out on my tiny balcony and look down on the street. I live on Skoufa street which is one of the most commercial streets in Athens.
But who buys flowers now days in Athens? "Almost no one" he answers. " Thanks god I still have some old customers. It's the hardest time ever. I can't even pay my rent. How am I supposed to live my family?" he wonders.
Kostas is a hard-working man and father of a 14-year-old boy. Last year his son didn't want to go back to school because his clothes were old and worn. He feels embarrassed for not being able to do much for his child.
" It has never been easy but the last couple of years is a nightmare" he says. "Last year we moved into a smaller basement apartment and still we can hardly make it. Look around! There's no people on the streets anymore. To whom am I supposed to sell flowers?".
It is estimated that comparing to last year, the sales of flowers have slipped down nearly 40%. This has to do not only with the wage cut in Greece but with bad psychology as well. When it smells like the worst is yet to come who cares to smell roses?
... I do!!! So I took a visit to one of the most beautiful florists in town.
Antonello is also located on Skoufa street and it's only a five minutes' walk from my house. As you can see the sign is still broken and has the marks of the stones thrown by anarchists during a recent demonstration. The window is new though. Actually Antonello's people change the shop window every week presenting different kind of flowers and authentic artistic inspiration. Stepping in though is what really makes the difference!
It smells like paradise!
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