Flirt in the years of economic crisis

They say that demonstrations harm tourism. I, instead, say that all tourists should protest at least once while in town to catch the spirit of what Athens lives:

CRISIS
But what exactly is crisis?
The chinese word for crisis describes it better.

Protesting in Athens definitely involves both danger and opportunity.
One can suddenly find himself in the middle of violent riots and Molotov-bombs...

...or meeting new people!

In fact, demonstrations attract thousands of young people. Common ideas and common struggles is surely a good issue to start a conversation.

If again, you're totally unaware of what's going on, say something about the music or pretend to enjoy it. It's more likely that at least she'll smile at you.

Flirt in the years of crisis, I guess is simpler and costs less than before.
Of course you don't ask someone on a date saying "let me take you to a protest" but at least fancy cars and Manolo Blanhiks are not of such importance to this generation.

Unemployment is already 27% and young Greeks struggle for their future. They struggle for their right to work and get decently paid. They struggle for their right to live and enjoy life.

Currently, in Greece even smiling and flirting can prove expensive later if you consider that every greek child is born with a debt of over 30.000 euros.

Eutychia means happiness

Today it's so hot in Athens. I just got back home and it feels like heaven laying under the air conditioner. But I guess this summer my air conditioner is going to be my best friend!

Last summer the 70% of Greeks did not go on vacation. This year even more people are expected to go nowhere due to the lack of money and fluid economic situation.

In 2007 the percentage of those who could not afford going on vacation was 45%.

For some people though things are even worse. One million Greeks can't pay their electricity bill while, at the same time, more and more look for food in the garbage.

In 2009-2012 homeless raised by 25%. Walking on the streets of Athens is not the same anymore.

Eutychia lives on the streets since last winter. In Greek Eutychia means happiness but that's a feeling she's long forgotten. She has no family or close friends. She feels hopeless. She didn't stop crying the entire time talking.

" I've worked all of my life and ended up like this. I have to wait for my pension to be approved for almost one more year . And 'till then what? Am I going to be alive in one year? Do you have any idea how dangerous is it to live on the street? Do politicians care about us? What have I done to deserve that?" she wonders.

It is estimated that 20.000 homeless live in Greece. Most of them live on the streets of Athens and Piraeus. Things though are expected to get worse since in the next six months public social spending will be cut by 18%.

Giorgos of Korae Square

The other day I saw Mr Giorgos again. He was in Korae Square, on the same corner I first saw him.

Actually, that time was a day after the violent riots of February 12/2012 and I interviewed him for the radio I work for.

"Athens was burning, everything around was on fire but I was not afraid" he told me. "In contrast, I was wishing for my end. What worse could possibly happen to me? I'm homeless since 1991. I come from Thessaloniki but to me home is all places I stand on."

"The other day I went to the police station to get an ID card and they asked for my electricity bill! I'm homeless. How can I possibly have an electricity bill? One does not exist without money. I don't exist".

Today, five months later, nothing's changed for him. Only this time I met him, it was under 43C.

The last (?) days of ERT

Hundreds of people keep οn going to the headquarters of ERT to express their support to redundant employees as well as their opposition to the government's decision to shutdown the public radio/television.

All greek media are on strike while the political scene seems to be more fluid than ever in the one-year-government of Mr Samaras.

PLEASE WAKE UP
DON'T BE INACTIVE
THEY BARGAIN AWAY EVERYTHING
WHAT EXACTLY DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?

MY PENSION IS 201 euros

Shock and awe, disappointment and anger are the feelings we all share here.

The building of ERT has been occupied since yesterday by citizens and ...

...former employees that- until this time- continue a marathon broadcast informing us about the dramatic developments. The transmission is taking place through another frequency since the transmitters of ERT were shut last night.

Lots spent the whole night at some corridor since the police intervention is expected.

But most corridors are empty. Only some memories still hanging on the walls remind the good-old days of public television.

No musicians are rehearsing in the Hall of the musical ensembles.

Below you see the atrium located in the center of the building of ERT.

For most of these people it's the last time the meet each other at the cafeteria of ERT.

When I went outside again more people were gathered and kept on coming.

Greek society though is divided. There's a big part thinking that the government did the right thing. Many believe that ERT was totally corrupted but forget that it is not the employees hiring highly-paid secretaries and daughters of ex-ministers. They also forget that less than a year ago. the representative of the government himself stated repeatedly that the shutdown for ERT is only in advantage of private and foreign interests.

Athens Pride 2013

The appointment for the most colorful parade of the year is always at the Klathmonos Square.

Once again thousands of members of the GLBT community celebrated their right to love without fear claiming, at the same time, equal rights for an equal society.

"Sinners, regret! Only God can save you!
What you do is a sin", Eleni Luca , famous Jesus freak

"Take your hands off me"

cries out Eleni Luca but it was right here that her "divine" mission was stopped.

At Syntagma lots of tourists were gathered waiting for the parade.
It seems that some of them will be laughing for years after...

... but this young (I guess) Japanese guy
looks so shocked ...

"We come from Brazil. In a couple of days it's our fist anniversary".

When we reached the House the gay parade mixed up with members of the European Alter Summit that were protesting against austerity.

Don't you just love Athens? x