Monday 31 October 2011

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. 

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).

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.

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"!

Greece: leave the financial troubles behind on a driving odyssey

Greece: leave the financial troubles behind on a driving odyssey

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

17/10/2011 - UNEFFECTED ITINERARIES FROM 17/10/11-22/10/11, DUE TO PAN-HELLENIC SEAMEN FEDERATION STRIKE
Due 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
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.

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.

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.