As the noose tightens around the neck of Greece and their smashing country folk feel devastated, abandoned, isolated and forlorn, I wonder if anybody has thought of the debt that the world owes this wonderful country?
Democracy, Mathematics, Literature, Medicine, Art, Architecture, Theatre, Music, Sculpture, Science, Agriculture & The Olympics to name a few, were either introduced by the Ancient Greeks or taken to a much higher level than had ever been achieved before. They certainly taught the acclaimed Romans much of what is attributed to them.
The Acropolis – Cradle Of Civilisation
Olympic Flame Outside The Marble Stadium In Athens – Venue Of The 1896 Olympic Games
Herodian Theatre Athens, Built Around 170AD
In the middle-ages, Greece stood as a buffer zone between Christendom and the expansion of Islam. Without their stoic defence and the haven they provided for the Western crusaders, who knows how Europe may look today?
During World War Two, Greece again stood tall as a small nation against the might of Hitler and Mussolini. Even today Greece celebrate ‘Ohi Day’ at the end of October to commemorate the day that Greek Prime Minister Metaxas said “NO!” to Mussolini’s request to occupy strategically important areas of Greece from which to battle the allies. On the morning of October 28 the Greek population took to the streets, irrespective of political affiliation, shouting ‘ohi’. Churchill described the brave efforts of the Greeks as “massively important.”
Ohi Day Parade, Thessaloniki
OK, so apart from providing us with some absolutely stunning places to visit for a holiday, much of Greece’s world contributions were a very long time ago, but at the very least the nation deserves respect and the citizens our empathy. Regardless of the rights and wrongs of the present economic predicament, it was not caused by the normal law abiding tax payer that epitomises the vast majority of Greek people.
Greece’s reward in 1940 for NO! was to be invaded and occupied by the Italians, (and suffer Captain Corelli’s mandolin!) who faced fierce local resistance, which greatly impacted their ability to make the most of their strategic gain. This Sunday Greece faces another huge dilemma that is splitting the proud nation. Yes or No, what will it be?
Whatever the outcome, we should remember our debt to the Greek nation and support them in their hour of need by continuing to travel to the beautiful and fascinating country to spend some holiday euros there – hardly a hardship.
Corfu View
Life’s A Beach On The Greek Mainland Near Vonitsa
Hydra – The Island With No Cars
Corinth Canal
Skyros Fishing Boat
Meteora Monastery
Three Vessels Thessaloniki
I have no problems about going back to Greece – and hope that most travellers would not be put off by the economic sitatuation. Bolstering the tourist industry there can only help, I would think and agree with you that it’s no hardship – so what you have to take more case with you. Interesting post and stunning photos. Thanks for sharing on #MondayEscapes
The nation is between a rock and a hard place and there are indeed some tough medicines to take of one sort or another – the issue is that there seems no light at the end of the tunnel and that is what is so desperate – if say there was a five year plan for Greece to come out the other side I think Greeks could stomach that, but it is the interminable nature of the austerity that is so difficult to take. The mistakes of the recent past are criminal – for a nation of this size and GDP to get so much in debt is ridiculous and I blame the lenders and accountants as much as the greedy politicians, outdated pension policy and tax evasion.
Tourism is pretty the most that Greece has to offer as well as some agriculture, but I fear this is not enough.
I agree with your advice but it might be difficult to get by if shops and restaurants start to close down! Worse still if the ferry schedules get disrupted.
I have enormous sympathy for Greece but Europe has to be tough on the principle of loans and debt restructuring in return for reforms. Successive Greek governments have agreed to this, accepted the money and then not implemented the reforms. Europe simply does not trust Tsipras. There also needs to be a change of ethos regarding tax avoidance and grey market transactions. Borrowing from Eurozone partners must be matched by internal tax receipts.
Having said all of that I would gladly go tomorrow. I checked Ryanair and Easyjet for cheap flights but they still seem rather high to me.