While every media puts in its analysis, its intoxication, its point of views, its obstinacy, the “Greek soldier” on his part, and this is a fact, tries to put back the pieces together of a story that he is losing control over - DR: J. Sicsic
Since the beginning of the summer, the wind is blowing hard and continuously on the Aegean sea.
A torment that is probably desired by the Olympian gods, anxious to have nature conform to the mood of men.
A mood that is a lot less tempestuous than what we say, in this summer 2015, where the sparks of the news restlessly blind the international opinion through blows of rumors and spectacular clichés that are very far from the truth.
On the eve of a referendum that will take place, whatever European politicians hope for, and that could also, should the “No” win, assure the continuity of the current government of Alexis Tsipras, Greece is obviously going through difficult times but they are much less chaotic than what is said and written.
Indeed, protests are arising in Athens and elsewhere, which is quite normal since we are in an electoral period, and the sides of the “Ne” versus the “Ohi” are confronting each other democratically, one after the other, on the same plazas and the same streets.
Conversations in the taverns are flowing and the televisions remain turned on day and night in all of the public places, but there is nothing more normal than that as well.
A torment that is probably desired by the Olympian gods, anxious to have nature conform to the mood of men.
A mood that is a lot less tempestuous than what we say, in this summer 2015, where the sparks of the news restlessly blind the international opinion through blows of rumors and spectacular clichés that are very far from the truth.
On the eve of a referendum that will take place, whatever European politicians hope for, and that could also, should the “No” win, assure the continuity of the current government of Alexis Tsipras, Greece is obviously going through difficult times but they are much less chaotic than what is said and written.
Indeed, protests are arising in Athens and elsewhere, which is quite normal since we are in an electoral period, and the sides of the “Ne” versus the “Ohi” are confronting each other democratically, one after the other, on the same plazas and the same streets.
Conversations in the taverns are flowing and the televisions remain turned on day and night in all of the public places, but there is nothing more normal than that as well.
The confusion reigns in spirits
Josette Sicsic - DR
In a country that invented the agora, philosophy, and democracy, we’re speaking politics all day long, sheltered from the wind, sipping on a glass of ouzo and fingering worry beads, in order to try to see more clearly in a complicated situation of which few people understand the specifics.
Between leaving the euro and the Union, between paying the debt and refusing to pay, between austerity and a better future, the one who can predict the short-term future of the country would be quite clever within the medium Greek population.
While confusion hasn't spread everywhere, while gasoline isn’t lacking from the pumps more than usual, while the lines are long at the ATMs in Athens but nowhere else, it is in the minds and sprits that confusion reigns nonetheless.
Stirred by the wind, this confusion is without a doubt the main characteristic of the population’s state of mind.
And it is exaggerated by the foreign press, read by some Greeks, that loves to cloud the issue further by constantly providing biased informations based on ideological inclinations.
Between leaving the euro and the Union, between paying the debt and refusing to pay, between austerity and a better future, the one who can predict the short-term future of the country would be quite clever within the medium Greek population.
While confusion hasn't spread everywhere, while gasoline isn’t lacking from the pumps more than usual, while the lines are long at the ATMs in Athens but nowhere else, it is in the minds and sprits that confusion reigns nonetheless.
Stirred by the wind, this confusion is without a doubt the main characteristic of the population’s state of mind.
And it is exaggerated by the foreign press, read by some Greeks, that loves to cloud the issue further by constantly providing biased informations based on ideological inclinations.
A welcome warmer than ever
While every media puts in its analysis, its intoxication, its point of views, its obstinacy, the “Greek soldier” on his part, and this is a fact, tries to put back the pieces together of a story that he is losing control over.
And while some plead guilty willingly to the excesses and mistakes of the past, the majority only hopes that its children will find a job, will live decently, and that the pension of the elderly will be sufficient to eat and be cared for.
The majority of the Greeks also hopes that the tourist will continue to visit and maintain alive its thousands of businesses that only have a few weeks per year to constitute a savings fund that will enable to survive during the winter.
And for that, no worries, the food has never been so healthy, tasty, and cheap in the islands.
The welcome is infinitely warmer. The atmosphere of this blessed country shines brighter than ever, just like in postcards, with its white house and blue windows, serene old men sitting a blue chairs, a sparkling sea sprinkled with rose-toned isles under the evening sun.
And while some plead guilty willingly to the excesses and mistakes of the past, the majority only hopes that its children will find a job, will live decently, and that the pension of the elderly will be sufficient to eat and be cared for.
The majority of the Greeks also hopes that the tourist will continue to visit and maintain alive its thousands of businesses that only have a few weeks per year to constitute a savings fund that will enable to survive during the winter.
And for that, no worries, the food has never been so healthy, tasty, and cheap in the islands.
The welcome is infinitely warmer. The atmosphere of this blessed country shines brighter than ever, just like in postcards, with its white house and blue windows, serene old men sitting a blue chairs, a sparkling sea sprinkled with rose-toned isles under the evening sun.
Tourists have nothing to worry about
Furthermore, to get back to more materialistic details, tourists have nothing to worry about.
International credit cards enable to take out 600 euros daily in ATMs, so no worries about feeling limited, you will have enough to pay hotel fees.
For now, it is unnecessary to fill your pockets with cash as recommended by the Ministry of Foreign affairs who is acting badly in its role: when we’re outraged about one portion of the Greek economy being traded in cash, we shouldn’t incite tourists to copy such practices!
On Monday morning, what will be the Greeks’ response be to a rather complicated question?
The polls predict a winning “No” for now, but polls remain polls and it would be foolish to comment under such uncertainty.
Meanwhile, let’s take it day by day, and just like Epicurus advocated, pretend to Atraxia or, in other words, tranquility!
International credit cards enable to take out 600 euros daily in ATMs, so no worries about feeling limited, you will have enough to pay hotel fees.
For now, it is unnecessary to fill your pockets with cash as recommended by the Ministry of Foreign affairs who is acting badly in its role: when we’re outraged about one portion of the Greek economy being traded in cash, we shouldn’t incite tourists to copy such practices!
On Monday morning, what will be the Greeks’ response be to a rather complicated question?
The polls predict a winning “No” for now, but polls remain polls and it would be foolish to comment under such uncertainty.
Meanwhile, let’s take it day by day, and just like Epicurus advocated, pretend to Atraxia or, in other words, tranquility!
