A summer of illusions
Thanks to a combination of higher prices, smog and tax inspections, negativity is dominating our everyday lives, so much so that glory days of the Olympics seem like a summer of illusions. Naturally, our impressions about what is going on are controlled by television channels, to the extent that one needs to make a conscious effort in order to get a different perspective. Does anyone stop to think about what happened to all that euphoria – the feeling that Greece has changed and is no longer the way we knew it? Without trying to be negative, it does not take a lot of analysis for one to grasp how fake that sense of camaraderie was. It would be excessive to describe this as delirium; one cannot deny that there was a strong need for it. But it originated from simplistic notions about the country’s transformation and was based on an excess of national pride. No one can doubt the fact that Greece has changed. But, equally, no one can doubt that, in many ways, it has stayed the same. It is as tiring to hear a repetition of the flag fiasco involving foreign pupils as it is to see citizens protesting because some non-Greeks have received a new home at the Olympic Village. Those protesters should take a walk down Athinas Street and see what a warm reception they get by foreign restaurant owners whose premises they do them the honor of patronizing…
