http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_30/10/2011_412439
The Ochi Day parade in Thessaloniki was cancelled because of protests.
I've been to several Ochi Day Parades. The one in Athens is a huge procession.
Greece - Kalo Taxidi! Notes from Greece and the Greek Islands.
Monday, 31 October 2011
Coach services set for liberalization
Coach services set for liberalization
This article is about the proposed "liberalization" of KTEL coaches,"which provide long-distance intercity transport services in Greece"
When I first went to Greece, I recall KTEL being synonymous with bus and coach services. It's years since I travelled on a long distance bus in Greece, but I don't often see the initials "KTEL". Perhaps I just don't notice them. Most buses (those which aren't plastered in adverts) are in the shades of cream and green that i associate with KTEL.
More about KTEL http://www.ktel.org/ (this is the Greek page; when I tried the English link wasn't working).
This article is about the proposed "liberalization" of KTEL coaches,"which provide long-distance intercity transport services in Greece"
When I first went to Greece, I recall KTEL being synonymous with bus and coach services. It's years since I travelled on a long distance bus in Greece, but I don't often see the initials "KTEL". Perhaps I just don't notice them. Most buses (those which aren't plastered in adverts) are in the shades of cream and green that i associate with KTEL.
More about KTEL http://www.ktel.org/ (this is the Greek page; when I tried the English link wasn't working).
Friday, 28 October 2011
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Greece in talks to repay debts with solar power
Greece in talks to repay debts with solar power
Good if this comes off, but .......................
In thirty years of travelling in Greece the only large scale solar power plant I have seen was in, if I recall correctly, Kioni on Ithaca. That was many years ago and the plant looked derelict.
Small scale solar systems are on the roofs of individual buildings and heat (to a luke warm level!) water.
There must be scope for better utilising solar power in Greece. But it would seem sensible to juse solar power at home before exporting it.
Good if this comes off, but .......................
In thirty years of travelling in Greece the only large scale solar power plant I have seen was in, if I recall correctly, Kioni on Ithaca. That was many years ago and the plant looked derelict.
Small scale solar systems are on the roofs of individual buildings and heat (to a luke warm level!) water.
There must be scope for better utilising solar power in Greece. But it would seem sensible to juse solar power at home before exporting it.
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Olive Recipes
Some tastes of Greece to try at home!
Olive Recipes
In Greece the olive harvest will be under way. Black olives will be falling on "my" terrace. I wish I was in Greece, despite the "troubles"!
Olive Recipes
In Greece the olive harvest will be under way. Black olives will be falling on "my" terrace. I wish I was in Greece, despite the "troubles"!
Opportunitiesin Greece for those with funds - Eurozone financial crisis: Winners and losers
Eurozone financial crisis: Winners and losers
Comments on investment opportunities in Greece.
The investment opportunities include "a disused airport built for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games." This sounds like the old Athens airport, which closed in 2001 when the Athens International Airport - Eleftherios Venizelos opened.
Comments on investment opportunities in Greece.
The investment opportunities include "a disused airport built for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games." This sounds like the old Athens airport, which closed in 2001 when the Athens International Airport - Eleftherios Venizelos opened.
Hard grind for Greece boosts sales of home grain mills
Hard grind for Greece boosts sales of home grain mills
Greeks are buying hand grain mills from Yorkshire - so they can grind grain at home with no electric power. The resourceful Greeks!
But without electricity, how would the bread be baked?
Calor gas?
Or perhaps some of the old stone ovens you see in the Greek countryside will be brought back into use. Burning wood. But carefully, so as to avoid fires.
Greeks are buying hand grain mills from Yorkshire - so they can grind grain at home with no electric power. The resourceful Greeks!
But without electricity, how would the bread be baked?
Calor gas?
Or perhaps some of the old stone ovens you see in the Greek countryside will be brought back into use. Burning wood. But carefully, so as to avoid fires.
Jail for employers
Jail for employers
One of the current problems in Greece must be the extent of the cash economy, and tax evasion.
Now the law making it illegal to employ an immigrant without a residence permit will be enforced.
And it will be illegal to pay "day labourers (house cleaners, gardeners, baby sitters)" in cash. In an attempt to stop tax evasion, they will have to be paid in coupons.
But how is "day labourer" defined? Does it include the workers who help at in tourist rooms for a season?
One of the current problems in Greece must be the extent of the cash economy, and tax evasion.
Now the law making it illegal to employ an immigrant without a residence permit will be enforced.
And it will be illegal to pay "day labourers (house cleaners, gardeners, baby sitters)" in cash. In an attempt to stop tax evasion, they will have to be paid in coupons.
But how is "day labourer" defined? Does it include the workers who help at in tourist rooms for a season?
Athens News Strike Log
Athens News Strike Log
I found this useful table of strikes at the foot of the page "News bites @ 9 ", but don't know yet if that it its regular home.
I found this useful table of strikes at the foot of the page "News bites @ 9 ", but don't know yet if that it its regular home.
Pilot scheme to convert rundown Athens hotel into student residence
Pilot scheme to convert rundown Athens hotel into student residence
I've mixed feelings about this. It's good to see plans to see a closed hotel put to good use. But a time will come when tourism starts to increase, and hotel beds will be needed.
Omonia strikes me as being in need of a good PR agent. When I read about Omonia Square, it always seems to be in a negative context. I haven't intentionally mean to Omonia for years. I usually do nothing more than change tube trains at Omonia on my way from Piraeus to Synagma. When I first went to Athens in 1981 I stayed in a hotel part way between Monastiraki and Omonia. I hadn't then fully discovered the charm of Plaka, and did venture down to Omonia. There was nothing squalid or sleazy about it then that I recall, and I often went to the roof top cafe in one of the big shops.
I've mixed feelings about this. It's good to see plans to see a closed hotel put to good use. But a time will come when tourism starts to increase, and hotel beds will be needed.
Omonia strikes me as being in need of a good PR agent. When I read about Omonia Square, it always seems to be in a negative context. I haven't intentionally mean to Omonia for years. I usually do nothing more than change tube trains at Omonia on my way from Piraeus to Synagma. When I first went to Athens in 1981 I stayed in a hotel part way between Monastiraki and Omonia. I hadn't then fully discovered the charm of Plaka, and did venture down to Omonia. There was nothing squalid or sleazy about it then that I recall, and I often went to the roof top cafe in one of the big shops.
Saturday, 22 October 2011
The Greek Cuts bite - ferry strikes
Most years I would be in Greece for two weeks in October. This year I was in Greece for five weeks in June- July-August so probaly won't go to Greece until early in 2012.
Looking at Blue Star's timetable, I'm glad I'm not in Greece now. From what I had read in the press I thought there was just a two day national strike on Tuesday and and Wednesday. But Blue Star say
But if you are imagining ferries returning to Piraeus packed with tourists keen to get home:
Transport woes resume Tuesday
Taxis will be running in Athens, but are planning strikes in the next few days.
Usually when I go to Greece have a Plan B. If the ferry I paln to catch does not run, I have alternative plans up my sleeve. At present in Greece I'd need a whole alphabet of alternatives. Or just go with the best option available.
Looking at Blue Star's timetable, I'm glad I'm not in Greece now. From what I had read in the press I thought there was just a two day national strike on Tuesday and and Wednesday. But Blue Star say
The strike ended on 25 October. Seamen call off strike Ended mostly, as seamen working on the ANEK and NEL are expected to contine striking.17/10/2011 - UNEFFECTED ITINERARIES FROM 17/10/11-22/10/11, DUE TO PAN-HELLENIC SEAMEN FEDERATION STRIKEDue to the strike of Pan-Hellenic Seamen Federation, the itineraries of our vessels will not be performed from Monday 17/10/11 until Saturday 22/10/11Blue Star Ferries
But if you are imagining ferries returning to Piraeus packed with tourists keen to get home:
Transport woes resume Tuesday
Taxis will be running in Athens, but are planning strikes in the next few days.
Usually when I go to Greece have a Plan B. If the ferry I paln to catch does not run, I have alternative plans up my sleeve. At present in Greece I'd need a whole alphabet of alternatives. Or just go with the best option available.
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
The Greek Cuts Bite - How Greeks were driven back to the land (Naxos)
An article in todays's Independent How Greeks were driven back to the land
Monday, 10 October 2011
Sunday, 9 October 2011
The Weird sex life of orchids
A wet Sunday morning in England. This article in today's Observer brought back memories of sunny walks on Amorgos in the Greek spring time.
The weird sex life of orchids
I don't often see bee orchids in Greece, but when I do they are stunning.
The weird sex life of orchids
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)