It's been nearly 9 months since I last blogged; rather a lot longer than the two or three times weekly that I achieved at the beginning of this marathon back in 2007 unfortunately, but things have been a bit up and down lately. I can only ask forgiveness for my lack of words on screen, based on the fact that I've had a few personal changes, have been doing two jobs all summer and by the time I've finished everything there has been no time left for blogging.
Meanwhile, it's not all doom and gloom, just mainly... On the negative side, Greece is in turmoil - although I'm sure you're already aware of that. Here in the village life doesn't seem that much different on the surface. Most of the same faces are here, although sadly a few have departed this mortal coil, including several of a similar age to myself in the last couple of weeks, which has been very sad. Our shops still trade, but the shelves are perhaps not quite as full as they used to be, and prices are certainly higher. The olive groves still get maintained and harvested, but it seems more and more the owners are doing what they can themselves, to save on the costs of wages.
One thing that seemed no different though was the smell of wine being fermented that permeated the whole village throughout September. We may be broke and worried, but it seems like we'll still be happy too!
Behind closed doors, and in the cafes, kafenions, tavernas and shop counters, people are expressing very deep concern, and anger, at the state of the country. Many of my friends and neighbours are either now unemployed or remain unpaid. New taxes are being thrust upon us, with threats of dire consequences if we don't pay up, whilst the government seems to be lurching from one dilemma to the next with no real concept of what to do - and definitely no idea of what to do for the best! Where will it lead us I wonder - one thing's for sure, it will be a long, long time, if ever, before we enjoy the prosperity of recent years again.
Life for me has changed too. Tony and I decided to go our separate ways earlier in the year, so I'm now experiencing life as a single parent, and the joys of how to go through a Greek divorce. That's another costly exercise filled with unrecognisable taxes and other payments, in essence just to get the right official stamps on the right bits of paper to acknowledge that the law says you are allowed to do what you want to do with your own property and lives!
But hey, I mustn't grumble, I'm working, the children are settled and seem quite happy with the new arrangements. We have a roof over our heads and food in our bellys. And in a strange sort of way it's all quite exciting. Whilst I wouldn't wish the current situation here on my worst enemy, seeing as we are in the middle of things it's certainly an eye opener and a salutory lesson in not taking things for granted in this world. Having lived for 50 or so years in a relatively stable, trouble free environment - although aware of wars, poverty and hardship they have never been close company for me - it is grounding to see, in a close up and personal kind of way, that life is most definitely not a bed of roses.
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