How many times have I written that phrase? It seems like more than it actually is. In any event, here I am, back in Athens, en route to the US from my stay on Paros and the Aegean Center for the Fine Arts. My time there was fantastic and tumultuous. I created wonderful work but ended up losing friends and connections for the future. My own emotional needs steamrolled over the needs and lives of others. I have made my amends to those who felt hurt. I am sure that the bridges I help to build (and burn to the ground) will never be rebuilt. As Shakespeare wrote, ” The fault, dear Brutus, lies not in the stars, but in ourselves if we are underlings.”
Athens is hot and full of life. The EU is showing signs of wear and tear due to its unstable economic design and in Greece, as elsewhere, the protesters are on the street. In Syntagma, in front of the Parliament, the Indignants have erected a small tent city. There are marches daily by many political parties but for the most part it is peaceful this weekend. Last week there were firebombs, tear gas and police action but for now it is quiet. The riot squad is very visible and in force. I stay away form this kind of action as it could put me in danger some where down the line. I have avoided pictures of the protesters because it doesn’t feel right. I am not a spy, snoop or the press so I feel uncomfortable possibly making them uncomfortable. Plus that avoids any chances of violence coming my way. Let’s avoid that, shall we? Hawkers and food sellers have taken advantage of the small encampment and have set up their shops around the platia. Economic irony. Also ironic is the busy-ness of the McDonald’s across the street: mostly protesters and so forth.
For now it’s museums, meetings with friends, and sleep in my over-priced hotel. I’ll post a review of that on Trip Advisor when I get back to the US. For now some banking, a coffee and a meet-up with my mates.
More to come…
JDCM
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