Our contribution to the Greek economy

Today we schlepped early morning, with mom in tow, to the market where I found the marble busts. Madame Africa they said, we kept your statues. I arrived with an empty suitcase and armed with bubble wrap, I packed my 14 kg purchase into the case.

While I wait for the transaction to be finalized, the Egyptian Greek, Amir says, go upstairs. I go up the 3 stories of antiques and magnificent artifacts, gilded tables, exquisite glass and I see a chandelier that is made from Antique Victorian glass. I haul the auntie up the stair case and it is love at first sight.

Amir says: you can have it but I don't ship it. Whilst we are there an American Antique dealer buy so much porcelain, it is unbelievable. Like we said before, everything in Greece is for sale, and lots of beautiful things end up at Amir's bazaar.

Dad waits for us at the restaurant next door. A little girl, about 4 years old, arrives, as big as Nienke. She sells packets of tissues. Dad ask how much, she doesn't speak, dad gives her some change, other people give her a few Euros and the restaurant owner gives her something to eat. This is the real Greek tragedy. We see so many homeless people, it's unbelievable. Dad is so upset about the situation, he actually cannot handle it. Now he just wants to go home.

We take a taxi home, the marble busts are too heavy to wheel. The taxi driver says he used to have a career, now he has a hobby. No tourists, no money. The change in Greece in the last 6 weeks is tangible. 3000 businesses close down every week. Thessaloniki is half the size of what it used to be. People are depressed, even 'Glimlag' has lost his spark. The all hate Angela, the German councillor, the cartoons in the newspapers show her as a Nazi. The Greeks claim all she wants is the islands. The Greek Minister of Finance had a heart attack two days after he was appointed, he has now resigned! They have now appointed an Economics University Professor to resolve all their issues. And the Greek public, they do not have much hope.

Mom decides she is going to buy the chandelier. But first we need to find someone to ship it! So now we schlepp to DHL. At the price of our airfare they will ship it!
This is not going to happen.

We crisscross Athens to finalize our shopping, mom sees a beautiful music stand for her music room. I sit down, this is going to be another looooong conversation! Another thing to schlepp on the plane. We left with 3 suitcases and weighed in at 25 kgs, we are going back with much more. Now we have 4 suitcases and one backpack. Luckily we are allowed 90 kgs.

Pa sê en ma sê: in Bulgaria maak en en my pa of ons mal is en 'book' vir alles (massages etc.). In Athena maak ek en ma of ons mal is en koop alles!