Tensions are ‘Frayed’ – Kos!

We all know it’s not easy living in Greece at the present time.  Tourism is down, (we don’t even need to look at the figures, we can feel it all around.  Meanwhile the cost of living seems to be going up and wages are getting lower and lower (or you are expected to work extra hours for the same wage as the years before)…

“How will we be able to survive???” is a constant question on most peoples minds these days.

For many, it’s simple black and white…we won’t.   For many they have taken flight and are leaving the country of Greece which they have called their home for many years.

For others it is not an option, they don’t have one.

Anger and tension is felt everywhere you go.  The sorrows and despair of hotel/apartment, shop, restaurant, beach owners hang heavy in the air.  I often think I should change my advertising fee to a counselling one these days!  It’s not a laughing matter though.  The whole island is crying, trying (many are not succeeding) to put on a brave face and hoping for a better June…(July…August….).

“It will be better after the elections” they hope….

“Wait until after the elections”….is all we hear, as they continue to debate with one another and argue Greece’s future.    But honestly and with total reality, whoever ‘wins’ will not be able to rebuild Greece in one day…

It’s going to take a long time…..AND many have run out of time!

So instead of us  all pulling together, what do we see?

Anger and tension all around.

Disagreements, blaming, fights and worry.

Things and (certain persons) are spinning out of control.

So, as I watched a Bus Conductor (in front of many waiting tourists on the buses) kick and break a wooden bench, no doubt at the end of his tether,  (for reasons unknown), however of course this does not make an excuse for destroying public property…..and putting on a bad show in front of the people we so need on this island.

I was and am still  shocked…!!!

When you walk down the street…what do you see?

Men and women on the streets ‘doing kamaki’ who continue to literally pull and drag the people into their bars and restaurants in total desperation (which by the way most tourists don’t like and it’s not being friendly…it’s being a nuisance).  A few visitors have complained and have said it has put them off ever coming again.

What happened to the Tourist Police, where are they?

Road rage seems a totally normal occurrence these days and there are accidents happening everywhere as people have far too many things on their minds lately.

Yes, things are taking their toll.

Who is going to ‘save’ Greece???

Yesterday we saw a male Greek politician attacking a female on television, viewed by millions around the world.  So now,  not only is Greek pathetic but barbaric too?

How low can Greece go?

On the  local ‘Kos’ front we have the taxi drivers, bus drivers and now the boat owners all screaming and shouting at each other and REALLY NOT  helping the tourist industry in Kos.

These people are destroying the image of Kos, not helping themselves, their families or the island of Kos and  the beautiful Greek holiday destination that people once loved.

Everyone is looking for someone to blame and take to court at the moment.

A few people are keeping a low profile instead of listening to people’s needs, demands and taking some action.  Perhaps they are too busy with their own personal vendetta’s and trying to destroy local businesses for their own greed, votes or satisfaction?  Who knows.

People of Kos are racking their brains trying to think how they can possibly make some more money to pay back their loans and their every day supermarket bills.  There are many people I have spoken to this summer that are working two jobs,  allowing themselves only a few hours sleep.  It’s ONLY June, people are tired emotionally, physically and mentally….how much more can they take?

It’s very easy to say (write), but… in these times of adversity and struggle people need to work together, listen to one another and do the one thing that Kos has been doing for years…..

Make people welcome.

AND not the images that have plagued the island  over the last few days…..

When asked why people are not booking Greece, one of the top answers was because people are afraid of the economic situation and strikes….

So please…..

DON’T GIVE THEM MORE REASONS NOT TO COME!!!