Europeans migrate south as continent drifts deeper into crisis

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/21/europe-migrants-crisis-irish-portuguese

Fleeing Greeks bank on new Australian gold rush

"Given the state of its economy, it is no surprise that Greece is in the same boat. In 2010, 1.21 million people emigrated, according to the World Bank, equalling 10.8% of the population. "

Gosh, Greece will soon be empty ...............................

Will smaller islands become deserted and unsustainable.  Or will tourism keep them viable?

Fleeing Greeks bank on new Australian gold rush

Aubergine, the vegetable that refuses to conform

I remember sitting in a small cafe cum shop in Dounoussa.  A lot of ladies were buying aubergines.  The owner smiled, and said to us "everyone is having moussaka today!"

Aubergine, the vegetable that refuses to conform

Greek Crisis Christmas Dinner

Mmm!

But what I'd like is a book of recipes that you could easily cook in a typical Greek room, using just one hot plate!
 
Toasted bread with goat’s cheese and dried figs

Cold couscous with apple and cherry tomatoes

Greek Crisis Christmas dinner

Fresh gnocchi with soft cheese and fine herbs
Rack of pork with dried apricots and prunes
Brownies with vanilla ice cream

18 hotels closed in central Athens this year

Greece's "riot dog" goes global

More on Loukanikos

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Greeces-riot-dog-goes-global/articleshow/11162553.cms

Thomas Cook reports £398m annual loss

Thomas Cook reports £398m annual loss

When I first started going to Greece in the 1980s I usually booked through Thomas Cook  There was nothing wrong with the service they offered.  But in those days scheduled flights were expensive, so I travelled on charter flights.  And that meant fixed holiday lengths, 10 days, 14 days, etc.  These weren't always convenient.   I wanted to fix my own departure dates and times.  i peered at the screen the Thomas Cook person was using, wishing I could search for myself.  No intdernet booking from home then.

Then through Compuserve I had access to the flight details, but still not the ability to book for myself.

How different today, when I can book whatever I want online.

And so Thomas Cook lost many of its customers.

Umbrella union: 10 myths about Greece and the crisis

Umbrella union: 10 myths about Greece and the crisis

An interesting read.

A Better Greece

http://www.abettergreece.com/index.html

Have a look at Katerina Bamboulis's website -  well worth exploring!

Amorgos Foundation in New York Honours Greek Cultural Work

http://usa.greekreporter.com/2011/11/16/amorgos-foundation-in-new-york-honors-greek-cultural-work/

I wonder how many organisations of Amorgos ex-pats there are arounf the world?

Belt-tightening Greeks turn to starvation cookbook

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/06/belt-tightening-greeks-starvation-cookbook

The article contains recipes for Bulgar-wheat "meatballs" and Cabbage and chestnuts.

The book is available (in Greek only) from the publisher's website
http://www.oxigono.com/?id=buch&book=40


I read the article in the paper version of the "Guardian" yesterday, and looking at the on-line version to link to here, I spotted a stylistic difference - the on-line version is written in a less formal style!

The on-line version:
"It's the ultimate belt-tightening handbook"

The paper version:
"It is the ultimate belt-tightening handbook"

Cats of Katapola Calendar 2012

I have published my Cats of Katapola calendar for 2012!

http://www.lulu.com/content/legacy-lulustudio-calendar/cats-of-katapola-2012/12186528

I have added previews of all the photos, so you can see all the cats without buying the calendar.  I'll be adding comments here about some of the cats, and the places in Katapola where I took the photos :-)

Cover cat

You can see a short video of the cover cat here (lap cat)

Greece in revolt over property tax

Greece in revolt over property tax

The prospect of stayung somewhere without power will put tourists off booking to go to Greece.  But the revenue from the tax is needed.  A difficult conundrum.  Exempting tourist accommodation registered with the GNTO before, say, 1 August 2011 from power cuts might be the answer.  Without a cut off date, every house in Greece might acquire overnight a spare room supposedly for letting to tourists.