Thursday 6 May 2010

Athens Riot Update

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for all the wishes on yesterday's post. :) I really appreciate your concern. I'm thankful I work from home. Went out this morning - more riots going to happen this afternoon and the streets stink like chemicals (from the tear gas I assume).

I'm just really keeping my wits about me - a lot of robberies happening too. The other night next to the club my partner runs, five people stopped a guy on his motorbike - stabbed him to death and took his bag full of cash from his shop. People are even holding up Dentists' with shot guns and taking people's wallets in the waiting rooms etc. Everyone is scavenging for money - it's so sad. Three people died yesterday in a bank that was set on fire too. So tragic :( See below for footage of yesterday.

I'm in such a lucky position working as a freelancer. People's wages have been decreased by 20%, and 2 monthly salaries cut (here in Greece we used to get 14 monthly salaries per year - not that that helped much). Things were hard enough without these cuts - people were still struggling to make ends meet. I'm really worried about the state of this country. And I'm sure it won't take long before the companies I work for begin offering me less money to do my work. I'm so dreading that day ... I'm just making end meet as it is myself.

On a happier note: Don’t miss out on my contest! Critiques up for grabs!











37 comments:

  1. I like that you ended the chaotic pics with the peaceful beauty Greece offers. Hope.

    I don't need to tell you to stay inside as much as you can. Things are so tumultuous, there's no telling what others will do.

    Keep us posted!

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  2. So pleased you are safe, I thought of you when I saw the news coverage. The pictures you have sent say it all.
    Take care my friend.
    Be thinking about you.
    Yvonne.

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  3. I would be freaked out, but you sound so calm! I'm glad you're safe though. I had no idea things were so bad - I mean, I knew that the money situation was awful, but I didn't know the riots were so dangerous. :( Wow... That's so horrible, do you know if there's anywhere to donate to?

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  4. LOL. Don't donate to Greece. The government will just find a way to use it to benefit themselves! They're ridiculously corrupt little bastards ... LOL

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  5. All I saw in the comments was "corrupt little bastards" that made me laugh my butt off! You crack me up!

    Holy Geez whiz I'd be scared pantless during all of that chaos, glad to see you're hanging in there!

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  6. I can understand people’s frustration but I’ve never been able to get my head around the mentality of the mob. The sad thing is that Greece is far from alone. Today there is a General Election in the UK and voters have never been as polarised as they are this time. No one knows who to trust. Especially following the recent politicians’ expenses scandal which affected every party. It’s easy to blame the Labour government for the mess we’re in but what about all the right-wing governments in other countries who also got into a mess?

    Hopefully the kneejerk reaction you’re experiencing will only last a short time. It’s hard to keep up that level of anger for any length of time. The escalation in crime is another thing entirely. That can only get worse. At least you would think so. That said things have not been as bad here crime-wise following the recession as people forecast so you never know.

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  7. Frightening times. we read about it here in the news in Australia. Take care. Hopefully these horrors will pass soon.

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  8. Man...I see it on the news, but for you to be right there...wow...please stay safe *hugs*

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  9. Boy this is scary. I was in Seattle in 1999 during the WTO riot and it was scary. We marched with the AFL-CIO because I used to be in a union but that was before the mayor announced a curfew and martial law downtown.

    We'll keep you in our prayers Jessica.

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  10. Praying for continued provision and protection for you and your family and restoration of peace to your land.

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  11. OMGosh, I was unaware of your blog until this morning and did not expect to find this. Please stay safe.

    I'd visited your site before but missed your blog. On a happier note: it's beautiful.

    I agree with the others; keep us posted.

    Sher~

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  12. Salarsen: Thanks! I just quickly dropped by your blog and pressed follow. Got to work right now so will check you out more thoroughly later! Thanks again!!!! :)

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  13. Don't go outside - whatever you do! I'm only half kidding. Please be careful and I'll say a prayer for you and your partner (and your country of course).

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  14. Wow, complete chaos. Please make sure that you're staying safe. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

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  15. I'm glad your safe hon. I hope the riots subside soon and some order of peace is found without more bloodshed. (Hugs)Indigo

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  16. That's scary stuff - be safe.

    I hope things take a turn for the better soon.

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  17. Do take care. It sounds like a tumultuous time over there. Hoefully it will work out.

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  18. Yikes, this sounds awful. Riots always scare me (seen my fair share) and more often than not, it's just random, innocent passers-by who get the most hurt.

    Do be careful and I hope it blows over soon!

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  19. Wow! I hope you stay safe and happy in your lil place. good luck with all that, it is sad what desparate people do.

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  20. Those pictures are incredible. Wow. I'm so glad you work from home. Be safe! :-)

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  21. I've seen the news about the riots in Greece. Be safe and best of luck with the job situation.

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  22. I am concerned. Have you plans in place to exit should things escalate into impossible madness? If not, it might not be a bad idea to start formulating them.

    I admire your ability to still function with an air of calmness admist the storm. I know that inside you must have a knot of anxiety. I will pray for you and your partner. Roland

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  23. STAY SAFE, AlliAllo!

    I'm not up on the details there (it's a major job just keeping up on the details in my own dying country), but as is usually the case, I have to believe that all of your troubles are related to "government intrusion and interference".

    When will The People finally come to understand that government is the problem, not the solution, and "That government is best which governs least" ? ['Civil Disobedience' by Thoreau]

    Well, I will certainly pray for your safety, my friend.

    ~ "Lonesome Dogg" McMe

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  24. Oh my! I was not aware of this until I visited your blog today either... I have been getting news from Facebook lately and concentrating much closer to home. I don't know what is going on enough to comment much on it either... but I know it would be so scary to have all of that going on so close to home!

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  25. This makes me sad and worried. :o(

    I don't like countries being in shambles, but I like my friends being terrorized even less.

    Please stay safe. I'll be saying a couple extra prayer for you and yours that you're both safe until things settle down!

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  26. Wow, and I thought the french were the queens of protest. That sounds really scary and I'm glad you're in a safe area. What is the world coming to? My husband is convinced the world is going to end in 2012- and with all the environmental and cultural revolutions going on- I'm starting to seriously wonder.

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  27. Be careful and hopefully this will end!

    Good Luck and be VERY careful

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  28. Good Grief! Here's hoping and praying you & yours stay safe amid all that madness!

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  29. Wow! I had no idea. How scary. I'm glad that you're safe.

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  30. Keep your head up and just be safe! This is so horrific.

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  31. I heard about that. I hope you stay safe!

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  32. I have been thinking about you this week, at work I have been reading in the newspaper and watching news about what is going on over there. That's wild. I'm glad to hear you are okay and staying inside for the most part... I don't want to hear about you getting hurt now. Will keep you in my prayers. :-D

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  33. The prayers of people around the world are with you!

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  34. That is crazy! Stay safe. Hope things turn around soon.

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  35. Wow - I can't believe those pictures. How can this be happening? Stay inside, and stay safe. Thanks for the updates - they're appreciated.

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  36. Thanks everyone so so much for your wishes! I wish you all a wonderful weekend and I'll be back in business on Monday! :) Hugs and kisses to you all! Mwah!

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  37. The Eu need to step in asap. They need to form a support government to reassure the people. It is so sad that it has come to this.

    Stay safe.

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