Big boats and bigger egos
Big boats and bigger egos
- an autumn equinox edition
This week, I’m writing this from the IMEdD International Journalism Forum, which takes place these days in Athens.
I’ve already said hello to a lot of journalist friends from both Greece and Romania and many other European countries who have gathered here. It’s been a great day and, while I know this is not everyone's cup of tea, if you’re reading this and happen to be around, drop me a line (I’ll also be here tomorrow until lunch).
This is me, come say hi.
Weekly Spotlight
On Tuesday, Mitsotakis and Erdogan managed to be in the same room for a 30-minute meeting in New York, during the 79th UN General Assembly. It was their sixth meeting in a year, maybe they’ll end up eloping together by Christmas.
Anyway, the discussion, described as occurring in a "good atmosphere" by diplomatic sources (if you ever hear a “diplomatic source” talking about bad atmosphere, the world is probably about to end), included the foreign ministers and diplomatic heads from both countries. The meeting was criticized for being brief and procedural, limited by Erdogan's earlier UN speech calling for recognition of the Turkish Cypriot state.
News You Can Use
A bit late, but: rail strike today! The unions have announced a 24-hour nationwide strike on Thursday, September 26, demanding immediate staff recruitment, modernized rolling stock, the completion of infrastructure projects, and improved safety measures on the railway network, following the tragic Tempi accident and continued neglect by the state.
On a completely unrelated topic, the party continues in Santorini, with a crowd of tourists pushing and screaming at each other. Truly a honeymoon destination.
Back to Athens, although the taxi drivers' union refuses to comply, Economy and Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis insists that "nobody is above the law" regarding the obligation to display signs informing passengers that card payments are accepted, with a €1,000 fine for drivers who fail to do so. Yes, you can pay by card in taxis and ALL TAXIS are obligated to accept that. The problem is that if they let people know they can pay by card, people will actually pay by card. Bummer.
Patience is a virtue in Greece, even after death: a woman died while waiting for her lawsuit to be finalized. She sued a hospital in 2011 after being left disabled from surgeries, but delays in Greek justice have dragged the case for 13 years, even after her death in 2021.
Meanwhile, the complaints of passengers with mobility disabilities to the STASY concerning the Electric (Line 1) are mounting, following this report highlighted by Documento, which just shows how invisible you really are in Athens if you have a disability.
A driverless car designed by three students from the Model Gymnasium of Anavryta in Maroussi, northern Athens, won the Race Car Challenge international competition, organized at MIT by the Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) in Boston.
The German Travel Association is expressing concern over Greece's new cruise fees, requesting a transitional period for their implementation and warning that these cost increases could impact the country’s price competitiveness in the tourism market.
If cruise taxes are too big, maybe someone will be happy to learn that small boats under 7 meters are now exempt from the special boat tax and luxury living tax.
A recent analysis of census data reveals that despite a housing scheme offering financial incentives, the number of vacant properties available for rent or sale is far lower than expected. Most of them are old, in need of repairs, and concentrated in central Athens, making it unlikely that the scheme will significantly alleviate the housing shortage.
Despite a significant decline in overall births since 1990, Greece has seen a fivefold increase in the number of births by women aged 40 and older.
Three major railway projects in Northern Greece, with a combined budget of €1 billion, are set to transform the region's transport network by connecting key ports, improving cross-border links, and enhancing both passenger and freight traffic. The projects include the construction of a new line from Nea Karvali to Toxotes, the upgrade of the Alexandroupoli–Ormenio line to improve connections with Bulgaria and Turkey, and the development of the Western Suburban Railway network in Thessaloniki, all contributing to Greece's integration into the European railway system and boosting the country's role as a transportation hub.
And I couldn’t finish without letting you know that from now on there is a 140-square-meter AB Vasilopoulos supermarket in Mount Athos. God be with us when we’re shopping on an empty stomach.
The Long Reads
Don’t miss this wonderful interview with Nick Cave!
"I understood my mother when I started playing her", says comedian Gus Constantelli, in this beautiful story about the woman who gave life to his sketches, but then shortly died. If you’re not following him on Instagram, you should. He’s a funny guy, I was really sad when his mom died.
Wanderlust
Where to enjoy authentic Neapolitan pizza and carbonara in Athens?
How (and where) to go out on a low budget in Athens (a bit older, but still a decent enough read - I, for one, had no idea that there are places in Athens where you could bring your own wine)
In Ampelokipoi, a party in an open air cinema
The new cycle of the B&E Goulandris Foundation Jazz at the Museum concert series begins on Friday, October 4 with the Workin' Trio of Haris Ioannou.
Have a great weekend and do write back. Even if it’s just to complain.
Ioana