Greece, last impressions

We never thought of coming to Greece. We are so glad we came.

From Italy, we would have gone straight to Albania, had our motorhome insurance covered this country.

We had been to the Greek islands before never to the mainland, I always had the impression that it would be a different country, and and this was indeed true.

The Greek mainland has really surprised us. What you know about a country you haven’t been to is what other people tell you about it, which is of course, their own perceptions.

What did we know about Greece?: Greece is  famous for holidays. And, specially over the last five years, for the headaches they have caused to Europe (i.e. Germany).

During this time, all we’ve heard is: current deficit, public debt, potential default, Troika, unemployment, large public sector, inefficient systems, political corruption… These terms can depict a very distorted image of what a country looks like day-to-day.

It is is only when you experience the country that you get a different view:; when you talk to people; when you shop; when you take the public transport…

Greece was lovely. We liked so many things about it:

Cleanliness, much cleaner than Italy.

The smell: intense, fragrant, sweet, summery.

The sunlight: bright, shining, lively, warm.

The colours: white and blue houses, orange and green olive in the countryside.

The food: delicious fruits and vegetables; healthy meats; fresh fish..

The tavernas: relaxed, glamorous…

The landscape: incredibly varied.

The people…

The people really amazed us. They are helpful, kind, cheerful, honest. Fifteen minutes after we landed in Greece, we got a “Welcome to Greece”, from an old man sunbathing outside his house.

Greeks like other people to visit their country, they want them to have the best impression of it. We have been given food for free, even when we stubbornly wanted to pay for it and we have been offered discounts, even when we didn’t make an attempt to negotiate.

I’ve have heard Greeks are lazy. It is very tempting to agree, especially when you see lost of them lingering around the streets, or coffee shops packed with people at any time of the day. It may be true that they may not be as focused-minded, determined and efficient as Germans. But they do like their quality of life.

The conclusion we have come to is that Greeks are just like other people: they want a secure job and a house to live in, and they care very much for the future of their children. Some Greeks we’ve met told us that although they love their country, they would flee if the politicians decide to pull out of the Euro.

Don’t take me wrong, I do strongly think they have to put their house in order. But this is a vivid example of how radically your perception can change when you meet the people.

SM

This was a return trip for me, but I was just a teenager when I last visited the mainland, with my parents. My memories were vague, but I did remember that incredible marching display by their military, in what can only be described as hilarious costume. The memories of this trip will lay much deeper, a beautiful clean country, the best flag, set against a deep blue sky or sea and with the most genuine people you could possibly imagine. But Greece is really suffering, and the impression I came away with, is the austerity is cruel, and having a devastating effect on parts of the population, especially the old and young. The Greek situation needs to be resolved quickly, but most importantly, in a humane way.

GDR