I'm so sorry for anyone reading today who doesn't want to hear me vent.
That was your warning.
After coming down from a wonderful birthday weekend with all of my friends here, I was informed that the general strike and the air traffic controllers strike might continue onto this Thursday, the day that many of us are scheduled to leave. Now, nothing is for sure yet, but hearing that was the final straw.
Its been an increasing struggle here in Athens with the strikes more than anything. If they mean for it to be inconvenient, they're really doing their job. If they mean for it to be effective...think again.
Beyond the demonstrations and protests, strikes are excessively prevalent. Organizations I would never dream of going without are striking- doctors, police officers, coast guard, taxis, metro services, teachers, the post office workers...
waste management, my fav.
I know its way more complicated than that, and I should definitely spend some time doing research on why they are striking.
Maybe when I'm stuck here in Athens while my flight has been cancelled I'll read up on that.
Oh man, that was negative.
On a positive note- I had a great 21st birthday! I spent the day hanging around the flea market with Ali, Megan and Hannah, browsing over souvenirs, and then we went up to the Acropolis. Afterwards, everyone that was here (all 25 of us), went out to dinner in Monastiraki and went out to a rooftop bar for the night.
Lots of fun :)
Love you guys!
Pray that we have some easy travel days ahead of us!
KP
That was your warning.
After coming down from a wonderful birthday weekend with all of my friends here, I was informed that the general strike and the air traffic controllers strike might continue onto this Thursday, the day that many of us are scheduled to leave. Now, nothing is for sure yet, but hearing that was the final straw.
Its been an increasing struggle here in Athens with the strikes more than anything. If they mean for it to be inconvenient, they're really doing their job. If they mean for it to be effective...think again.
Beyond the demonstrations and protests, strikes are excessively prevalent. Organizations I would never dream of going without are striking- doctors, police officers, coast guard, taxis, metro services, teachers, the post office workers...
waste management, my fav.
Its truly ridiculous.
This is a huge culture shock to me too. I'm not usually directly affected when there is a strike in the United States. It just doesn't affect daily life there like it does here.
The air I breathe outside smells like rotting food, toilet paper, and cat poop. How's that for personal influence?
We've missed out on several museum visits for class because they went on strike too.
The strikes are decided pretty quickly before they happen, making it really inconvenient for everybody.
I have to admit, I don't know a whole lot about unions and strikes. But, if they strike all the time, aren't they missing out on money they could be making? And in some cases, aren't they just making it harder for themselves? Like, the garbage guys have to pick up the three weeks worth of trash eventually, right? I can't see the strike helping them.
Also, are they striking for higher wages from the government? Greece needs to get it together and fast. They have no money. Where do all these organizations and unions think money is going to come from?
There is none.
Bottom line: Its just inconvenient, and its way beyond the point of being effective.
I know its way more complicated than that, and I should definitely spend some time doing research on why they are striking.
Maybe when I'm stuck here in Athens while my flight has been cancelled I'll read up on that.
Oh man, that was negative.
On a positive note- I had a great 21st birthday! I spent the day hanging around the flea market with Ali, Megan and Hannah, browsing over souvenirs, and then we went up to the Acropolis. Afterwards, everyone that was here (all 25 of us), went out to dinner in Monastiraki and went out to a rooftop bar for the night.
Lots of fun :)
Love you guys!
Pray that we have some easy travel days ahead of us!
KP
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