Visiting Athens, Greece

This is Acropolis. In front of it you can see the theater built by Herodis of Attika, called Herodio. It is one of the finest theaters in the world.  And on the right in the distance you can see Lycabetus hill, a lovely green hill with stoney summits. The highest one has a small chappel, dedicated to Agios Georgios, while just beneath the other summit you can find one of the most beautiful modern open theaters. This photo is taken from a third hill, very close to Acropolis, called Philopapou hill. It is paved by one of the best Greek artist, Pikionis and on top of the hill you will find Philopapou monument. If you keep on walking to the direction of the sea, you will find yet another theater, the one of Dora Stratou. 
 This scenery is a part of Athens, perhaps the one that most tourists come to see. It is beautiful. And regardless of what you listen on your TV sets, the rest of Athens and Greece is quite peaceful, as well. Despite the economic crisis and the 1.5 million unemployed ( that are not visible in this photo and as a matter of fact it is hard to spot them while you are visiting) Greece is one of the safest places in the world.
In two days, the first day of spring arrives. I was wondering how many springs and summers, winters and autumns we are going to lose, unable to enjoy this scenery that we have, because of the so called crisis. I was wondering why and I just figured out why the 20th century had two World Wars and countless others. And I realized that a new war has started.
Oh, believe me I don't like stereotypes, but I can tell you this: brain wash is not a new thing, but it has never being used with so many casualties. You don't have to kill people. You just deprive them of their time. You ultimately take away their life.  

The secret of OZ

What a great documentary! The Secret of OZ! Everybody should see it in order to realize what is going on with the debts and money all over the world, USA, Europe and even Greece.
 
http://youtu.be/swkq2E8mswI
http://youtu.be/fEqkphVOkHc
http://youtu.be/h8qLkpA_PSs

http://youtu.be/U71-KsDArFM

Divide and sell

It used to be easy to tell apart dictatorship from democracy, but not anymore. Chomsky decades ago, used to say that it is very hard to tell apart a terrorist from a freedom fighter. The control of the Mass Media by wealthy multi millionaires that influence the political life of every country, in order to expand their businesses by sear money power, usually makes this distinction even harder. 

But it is obvious that what we call "common sense" is neither common, nor it makes any sense. What I mean is that you can't have all these politicians fighting over who is to blame, and never assuming responsibility. It is not logical to vote for new laws that disintegrate our every day life and when people protest,  politicians find the protest unlawful and punish it. It is not sane to be a politician elected by your people but actually act and think in favor of the lenders.  The last 4 years NOT even ONE useful law was passed. Only laws that ruined the infrastructure of Greece and led to the lay off of more than a 1,000,000  million people.  And that leads to a downward spiral. Less money from working people more taxes somewhere else. Smaller paychecks for all, less taxes from consumption. Lesser  consumption, fewer jobs. What is even worse is that their inability to get the big tax evaders, will mathematically lead to further reduction in salaries. So, other people steal other people get punished.

If these geniuses that studied abroad and claim to be great in what they do,  couldn't predict this simple truth, they are not worthy of their diplomas or their government seats. So either they are no good, or they do it for a treacherous  purpose to the interest of the people that they represent. Either way they should be held responsible and face justice. And since justice is as corrupted as them, they should expect  a real outburst, from the common people.

It is divide and sell. Attack people with everything you've got. In the meantime you will be able to sell Greece by the km, hoping that nobody will have the time, money and courage to realize,  disagree and protest.  

Visiting Acropolis on winter Sundays

I don't know how things work in Europe and the rest of the world, but when it comes to my country's history and culture, I feel that I have the right to learn them, without paying a fortune. If nothing else, it is what creates the conscience of a nation. And God knows we need this now.
Until March 2012, there was a very nice law, that allowed all people from EU (Greeks included) to access all the museums and archeological sites for free, every Sunday from November till March. This was the best way to help all Greeks learn their history and appreciate their culture by visiting the museums and archeological sites, without actually losing revenue, since these months were actually low tourist season. Note that in a united Europe, if only Greeks were allowed for free, it would be a case of inequality for the rest of the Europeans. So by choosing this season and especially Sundays, they by-passed the problem and  families were able to visit all these places. What's more, most archeological sites are at the same time nice places to have a walk and enjoy nature, since Athens is the only city in Europe with almost no parks! 

But with great surprise I found out this Sunday that the ministries of tourism and culture (I really don't know which one is responsible, but probably the ministry of economics, the IMF and EU, as well)  have changed this. From now on, only the first Sunday of each month (total 5) are free for EU citizens. The price for visiting Acropolis is now 12 Euros, per adult!  It is really a very rude reminder of how sensitive matters like this are lost in the bulk of stupid news.

For those that they think that 12 Euros is not much, let me remind you that 600 Euros is considered a good salary in Greece and two adults in a family means automatically 24 Euros!  For those arguing that there are more people outside drinking coffee, and that they could deprive themselves of it and pay for the ticket, I can only say that a coffee costs 3 Euros max, and anyway these people wouldn't visit these places. For me and many other families, it was the easier, cheaper and most rewarding Sunday outing. Some say that  5 Sundays is an OK number. But they forget that these Sundays are during the wintertime and  rain, snow or severe cold is enough to spoil it for you.

I don't know how much they expect to collect from this. I don't expect much. Today Acropolis and the Ancient Marketplace (Archea Agora) were practically empty! And it was such a lovely day! We had to settle by going to the near by Philopapous hill. Which, for those that don't know or remember, was about  to be fenced and become a pay for "archeological site" but fortunately stopped by free thinking people.

Happy New Year

It is strange how time goes by. After 3 years from that fateful election of PASOK and prime minister George Papandreou, who literally had no clue, or if he had it was not the interest of the people of Greece. Two years of deep recession and unemployment, one year from the Papadimas junta government and 6 months with the incompetent Samaras coalition. And we are sinking steadily into the abyss.
This is the first time in my life that the passing of the year finds me with no hope for a better new year. It is the first time that I think that there are no solutions. We are in deep and instead of the help we needed, we are kicked and stepped on for a quick profit by the other countries. Our politicians are just pawns. ?They just execute orders and I wonder if this is the future democracy of Europe and the world. 

The two big wars of the 20th century are there to teach us nothing. Only new ways to destroy nations, kill people in more humane ways and better propaganda in order to hide these atrocities and make people believe it is for their own good.  The only thing that makes us human and not animals is the altruism, the unconditional love for the other, no matter how strange or different.
I wish everybody a happy new year. If love can't preveil, then at least we would have tried.  

Peace Nobel price for the European Union! That is fantastic. And what's next, an Oscar for special FX?

Peace Nobel price for the European Union! That is fantastic. And what's next, an Oscar for special FX? All these fireworks are looking much like the peace treaties signed just before the war. The body of Europe is torn apart and a Nobel price is a bandage. It is not a joke, it is very serious, because it is clear now that economical powers have infiltrated everywhere.
It is a poor stand, though, so probably no Oscar for them.

A dollar is good enough!

How about that! The Greek government passed all the laws that actually bring Greeks to medieval times, and yet EU, ECB and IMF now have second thoughts about giving the next loan (it is not free money, mind you, the interest rate is a killer) thus creating a new world wide wave of disbelief  for Greece, that not only ruins every chance Greece has to recover by attracting new investments, but also make all values in Greece drop, in a free fall.
It greatly reminds me of old westerns or gangster movies, where the mob chief went to buy the business from the rightful owners, and instead of reaching an agreement, he just appraised the business and had the thugs convince the victim. A dollar is good enough! And you get to live, too!
This trail of money has to end somewhere. The politicians of Europe have to built in different foundations, than debt. And I am not just saying because I am Greek and in debt, I am saying because this is a downward spiral, actually a war with many victims, that will not end in Greece, just stalling for the rest of the world, in Greece. If we tolerate this...