Friday, 14 October 2011

To stay, or not to stay - that is the question...

...on everybody's lips at present.  The expat community of Athens are asking themselves this on a daily basis, Australia and Canada are bracing themselves for another immigration influx, similar to that of the 1950's.  And really, who can blame them?  The country is bleeding its people dry - people are wondering just when this smoking volcano will be ready to explode - surely it will be sometime soon?

See http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9Q9UTIO0.htm and http://www.xpatathens.com/news/24455 for information on the social consequences for its citizens:
Increase in suicides, increase of drug use and violence - not to mention people neglecting their health, because there are either lack of facilities now or people cannot afford it.

In short, Greece has become a developing nation.

BUT, let's take a step back. 
Yes, there is doom and gloom everywhere - but let's remind ourselves of WHY we originally came here/love(d) living here:

Greeks individually are exceptionally hospitable people.  Despite this doom (or maybe, conversely, BECAUSE OF?) the quality of life here is different to that in, say, the U.S., Canada or the UK.   Where else can you take a 4 week holiday in the summer? 
Where else can you spend 3 hours over a frappe?

I know, these are not the only things that should keep us here - but it is designed to get you thinking about how quality of life is a relative term.  Take a look at this petition and see if you agree.  Meanwhile here, in pictures, is a reminder of why I love Greece so much:

Southern beaches - Athens


The outdoor cinema experience in the summer
Sunset on Naxos


Mount Parnitha
Sunrise at sea - going to an island


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