Just how it is....

I have not blogged for quite a while so thought as we approach the "season of goodwill" now would be a good time.

Well I think most of Europe is all too well aware of the situation of the Greek people, or are they? Certainly many will have "full knowledge", or is that "knowledge" that is viewed through TV and newspaper media?   After all we all  believe in the news media, don't we?

No matter what history has led Greece to this current situation, there by the grace of God can (and maybe will) go many countries in Europe. No one can defend the poor economic controls the past governments here have had  and "fat cats" certainly have taken the cream!   But as many will know if you have visited Greece whilst you might see some "fat cats" you will see far more roaming around starving.  This metaphor certainly applies to the Greek people.

A system top heavy by government employees that have enjoyed European financial support and a private & commercial industry that has been ruled by closed shop union agreements has benefited those that are part of it.  However there are many, many hard working Greek families that have neither benefited nor have they been able to have their voice heard to change society over here. Forget the tourist image of a "nice Greek village" and venture to "real Greece".  Take it from me many tourists would drive right past and not stop, yet this is true Greece......modern day Greece. Local villagers growing a little veg on their plots that can feed the family and often be exchanged with other villagers creating a  barter system, or what is far more common giving it to those even worse off. I have yet to meet a Greek family that has not opened its doors and welcomed me, offering coffee & food.......food they can not really afford to give, but that is the hospitality experienced in a true Greek village.

These are not the fat cats, but these people now have to suffer not only the pains of heavy taxation, cut pensions etc.  but also the indignity of many Europeans declaring them lazy, no good for anything and deserving of whatever they get.

If my diatribe makes you think then it has achieved its objective...........we are now approaching the season of goodwill to all men, aren't we?

Greek election June 2012

It appears to me a little ironical.....Samaras would not support austerity measures when GP was in power and I firmly believe the initial elections were caused by the stubborn actions of Samaras. Now of course he sits in the driving seat he has changed his tune and will expect PASOK support. Now to become a credible leader he must keep his promises to the Greek people.
In reality we are no further forward than we were 12 months ago, apart from the fact the actions of Syriza have focused the mind of many politicians in Brussels and many of the Greek people have had their voice heard in respect of just how far austerity can be accepted. Perhaps this together with the views of the new French PM may create an alternative train of thought to resolve the current EU crisis.


The election result though was far too close for comfort and I believe if Syriza had gained power it would not have been long before their true colours showed, and in my mind not for the better. It is worth remembering Syriza is a mix of leftist parties, just how strong the glue is that combines this group has yet to be tested.


No matter what, the new government must now set on a course to change much of the countries constitution, open all closed practices and begin a total review of the government sector.

Greece rocked.....

Did Antonis Samaras (leader of the Greek ND Party) cause Greece to shake yesterday?  Well after his visit to the Peloponnese there were two earthquakes of 4.1 & 2.8 on the Richter scale, but did he really expect the sort of "shake up" his party got from the national elections?  I think not.  His demands for this election as part of his agreeing to the requirements of the EU bail out money surely now must give him sleepless nights. 

My blog yesterday predicted the obvious "hung" parliament and now the farce starts of trying to form a Greek government. Whatever "cobbled together" government emerges it can only result in Greece being worse off than before these elections.  I say that because the parties on both the right & left extremes of the political spectrum can not and will not be acceptable to a democratic European Union.  Sadly the current situation brings this country to its most critical political period since the Military Junta of 1967-1974.  


My hope is that N.D & PASOK will find a way to work together and create a pro-European government excluding these  crazy extremist sectors of our community.   The actions of the next week or so as to what government emerges will define Greek history once more. 

Greek Elections

It is surprising that in the lead up to the elections in Greece very few towns and villages around my location have seen the normal electioneering posters plastered on buildings, walls etc. Not that I am complaining but they are certainly noticeable by their absence!

Indeed despite the seemingly lack of publicity by the political parties we shall by this time tomorrow  know the decision of the Greek people in respect of their choice for a new Government and new mandate.  Not that I expect any party to have overall majority, as I truly believe both main political parties have failed to gain the confidence of the public as to the actions required to take Greece out of the current economic crisis.

The worry is that if the "majority" party wants to gain office just what are they willing to comprise, and just how far will they divert to the right, or left?

It is not that long ago that Greece saw a very communistic outlook on life, and indeed a military government. With that last fact in mind perhaps one day we shall know the true reason George Papandreou, during his term of office dismissed the three Chiefs of Military staff (little was internationally publicised at the time). The point I make is that if the EU continue to squeeze the Greek people, the people will rise up; as history shows us true poverty, lack of work etc. is a course to civil unrest. The police may retain control, but if they fail or even support Mr & Mrs Joe Public then as we saw in the Arab states the only option left for the government is military intervention...........a disaster!

Whatever the parliamentary result is continual support within the EU is essential if Greece is to remain a stable member of the "club". Some of my close friends will know the term used often by one of our work leaders...T.I.N.A.

Making life easier for citizens when moving with their cars to another EU Member State

The diversity of rules and the various conflicting requirements for cars registered across the EU still constitute a considerable impediment for the cross border transfer of vehicles already registered in one Member State. These problems also represent a significant barrier for cross-border workers, citizens, car dealers, car-rental companies and all people who buy or sell a car in another EU country. As a consequence EU citizens are frequently faced with cumbersome registration formalities and paperwork when buying a car in another Member State or transferring it due to change of residence. These problems occur also in car rental business, when companies are trying to relocate their fleets from one Member State to another depending on seasonal variation in demand.

This press memo informs on:

• The most important changes the new proposal will bring about
• The current difficulties citizens face when moving with their cars in the EU
• Estimation of the costs of the current system

1. Less paperwork and formalities when moving with a car

There are more than 300 million registered cars, buses, trucks and vans in Europe. Most of these will not be concerned by this proposal which concerns only the cars, buses, trucks and vans that frequently go across the borders within the EU. It is estimated that 3.5 million vehicles are transferred to another Member State per year.

The proposal introduces the principle that a car should be registered in the EU country where its owner lives, and that all other Member States may not ask her/him to register the car with them, even if the car owner spend a longer period there.

For companies, the same principle applies: the cars, buses, vans and trucks should be registered in the EU country where the main office is established.

A few examples:

• People who spend part of the year in a holiday residence in another EU country will not have to re-register their car there.
• People who work in another EU country and use a car registered by their employer there will no longer have to register it in their home country.
• Car-rental companies will be able to transfer cars to another EU country during the holiday periods without re-registration (e.g. keeping the same cars at the sea side during summer and in the Alps during the winter). This should lower the price of car rentals.

The most important changes:

• Moving permanently to another country with car will be easier: Most of the paperwork and the physical controls will be abolished. Car registration offices will get the technical information directly from their counterparts in the other EU country. This will save a lot of time and reduce bureaucracy.
• Six months for registering cars abroad: Citizens will have 6 months to re-register their car after their move to another Member State.
• Easier to buy cars abroad: Citizens who buy or sell a second-hand car in another EU country will not have to face additional technical controls and administrative problems.

• This proposal also introduces a temporary registration of 30 days so that a second-hand car can be easily driven to its new owner.
• There will be no change for selling cars within a Member State.
• Car dealers who like to sell cars in another Member State can use a ‘professional registration’ for short drives across the border.

• Cars will continue to be registered in the home country of the owner. It will not be possible to register a car in any Member State.
• Impossible to register a stolen car: Registration authorities will increasingly cooperate with each other, making it easier to track stolen cars. The vehicle registration authorities of other Member States will be informed that a vehicle is reported as stolen. That will allow them to refuse its registration if the stolen car is presented to them for re-registration. Thus, it will become impossible to register a stolen car in another EU country.
• No new European number plate: Car registration and number plates remain national.
• Registration and circulation taxes: This proposal does not affect registration and circulation taxes.
• Not any wreck on 4 wheels can be registered: When registration authorities have doubt about the roadworthiness of the vehicle, they are fully entitled to refuse the registration and to send the vehicle to a technical inspection station.
• Roadworthiness test for cars from another EU country: If a national rule says that a roadworthiness test is obligatory for the sale of a car, that roadworthiness test will also be obligatory for cars coming from another EU country. However, registration authorities must still take into account the roadworthiness tests made in another EU country.

Candles at Easter....

From a comment I put on Facebook a few people asked me what I was referring to when I stated I could not accept Easter Candles in Greece being sold with "Barbie-Power Rangers-Cowboys & Indians" designs on them alongside the tradition Easter Candle for the transfer of the Holy Fire........

Let me explain what goes on Saturday night into Easter Sunday

The Church service starts at 11 p.m. The church is dark and no light is turned on. The darkness represents the darkness of the tomb. The faithful bring or buy large Easter Candles and hold them in their hands without lighting the. 

A few minutes before mid night the priest comes out of the Altar and holding a large lit candle and sings:

"Come receive the light from the unwinding light and glorify the resurrected Lord".

Everybody approaches the priest with their candles to receive the light and go outside. A big procession led by the Resurrection Banner goes out of the Church to a make shift stand. There the Gospel depicting the Resurrection is read and the Hymn of Resurrection is chanted 12 times:

"Christ is Risen from the death trampling death by death, He has bestowed life to those in the tombs".

While this hymn is chanted everybody embraces each other and says "Christ is Risen" and the other party responds "Truly He is Risen". 

The procession returns with Easter hymns to the Church, where the matins and the Pascal Divine Liturgy is celebrated with every body holding the light of Resurrection in their hands.Those who are prepared receive Holy Communion around 1.30 a.m. and before the conclusion the priest reads a special prayer for the eggs, milk and baked lamb.

The Homily of  Resurrection of St John of Chrysostomis is read and the priest distributes red eggs.

People take their candles and bring them to their home without dying them out. At the top of their door with the flame of the candle they make the sign of the Cross, as a sign of protection and blessing of the Risen Lord. 

Then they take the candle and put it on the Dinner table where they have a soup called magheiritsa, look at the recipes, or hot milk with the Easter tsoureki and crash eggs with each other saying Christ is Risen Truly is Risen.

Some families at 2 a.m. have full dinner. If somebody who has fasted for a long time it will be wise to eat Easter cake with hot milk and then have a rich Festal dinner the next day, which is Easter Sunday.

Agree / disagree.....accept / refuse

In the last two years hardly a day goes  by without Greece hitting news headlines throughout the world. More and more austerity measures are demanded by the EU on Greek citizens in return for loans that will take years to repay.

I can not defend some of the past actions taken by various governments in Greece nor do I agree with the "game" some Greek citizens play of constant tax evasion. The fault lies on both. It is no good Greek people saying we will not pay taxes because it goes into the pockets of the politicians, corruption at all levels needs solving. 

The people have to accept massive cut backs in employment in the government & local authority offices, they are well overstaffed. Unions have to accept an open market and total removal of the closed professions.

However the EU also has to understand its continuing pressures will result in massive public rebellion in Greece. It becomes totally ironical that the EU is now unwilling to make loans to Greece and if it forces more austerity measures as a precursor of any loans it is pushing the Greek people into poverty which will result in riots against the government. When on the other hand it is sending financial help to foreign countries to try and stop internal rebellions, or indeed costly peace keeping forces to control rebel factors.

Logic is a Greek word......

Well I am on the warpath about water bills again!  Let me explain.

Last year (2011) on March 25 a couple of men turned up to replace my water  meter.  Strange I thought, there's nothing wrong with the old one, and 25th March here is a national holiday (Greek Independence Day) so I made a challenge. The response was unexpected....."We're Albanian we don't give a @%$& about Independence Day, we have to change the meter."  They later demanded 35 Euro for the job, needless to say they did not get it and they were told I would deal with the local authority offices in time.

Prior to them leaving I made a note of the reading of the old meter (the new meter was zero)

The end of years water bill appeared late December, and on viewing it I found the usage to be 603 cubic meters (ie 603000 litres) the reading being dated at the end of September. This meant I had used 22,333 litres PER WEEK !  That  is  without the usage being added of that recorded on the old meter. Think about it that is 133 litres PER HOUR every hour.........totally impossible in our house.

So off to the water company........their answer was two fold.

1) The official called an assistant into the office who allegedly made the bills up and started shouting at him about his complete incompetence.  The individual was (to put it kindly) probably slightly lacking in intelligence, mostly deaf and as I found out on a sort of work experience trial.

It was leading to a kind of "Basil Fawlty" sketch (UK people will understand), I had to stop that and made it clear to the senior official I held him responsible not the junior.

At this point excuse number two came out........

2) Oh, the figure in the reading box is not really the reading its what we think you used and its for all of 2010 and part of 2011....well that will work out to be 6626 litres per week (mmmm possible), and I had to agree we had not had a 2010 bill.

Do I believe any of this when my meter reading was really 730 when I looked in December......I don't think so.  Next years bill will be more than interesting.

Meanwhile one must ask  "Why fit a new meter and still estimate usage?"

Logic may be a Greek word, but it appears not currently practiced here!