Olympic glory and anxiolytics
Olympic glory and anxiolytics
or how to explain 2024 in four words
This is going to be a short one, because I’m on holiday, which is no excuse not to deliver the goods, though.
After some feedback and discussions, I also wanted to address the question of why so many of the links lead towards Greek sources. Isn’t there enough info in English out there?
While I know that not everyone is comfortable with a translation tool, such as the Google Translate Chrome extension or the DeepL extension, and that links towards sources in English might be friendlier for everyone, I personally believe that this approach severely limits both the perspectives on the news (eliminating those of the local reporters) and the information you have access to.
English versions of local newspapers don’t translate everything they publish, or even the texts in full sometimes, and international newspapers only address macro events.
The new train stations in Athens will probably not be a subject for The Guardian anytime soon, unless they they fill up with water up to the ceiling, or something like that.
As much as possible, I will try to deliver a mix of the two. But I would like to encourage you to check out the Greek sources. There are insights there that you won’t find in the international media and that will help you understand a lot about this country.
One example that personally helped me capture the cultural dimensions of people’s frustration with overtourism is this opinion, that has, since then, been unfortunately exiled under a paywall. Another is this story about why there’s no central heating in many buildings in Athens, although the infrastructure exists.
Anyway, hope you’re enjoying the slow days of August. Let’s start with some good news.
Weekly Spotlight
From Paris, a few Olympic medals are going to Greece: Emmanouil Karalis got bronze in the pole vault final, two bronze medals were won in rowing and a silver medal in men’s 200m backstroke.
Meanwhile, in Athens, some are wondering, remembering Greece’s experience with organising the games back in 2004: were the Games worth it? Or they just left the Greek economy in debt and nothing else? And what were the missed opportunities of the Athens Games?
News You Can Use
July was the hottest month in Greece since 1960. The average air temperature in the greater urban area of Athens could increase by more than 3.5 degrees Celsius between 2041 and 2070 compared to 1971-2000, due to the combined effects of climate change and the urban heat island phenomenon.
The lack of pathologists causes continuous shocks in the Greek health system (I’m really curious about your stories of contact with the Greek health system, by the way).
Not related, but related: the use of anxiolytics in Greece has surged, with monthly sales exceeding 10 million pills. The increase, particularly notable between 2019 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, remains high, as anxiety continues to affect many people.
One of the possible reasons? The paradoxical angle between what politicians say (things are better than ever! we’re planting trees in Athens!) and what people live. Despite claims of economic success from Greek leaders, underlying issues persist, such as growing inequalities, increasing exclusions, and struggles faced by small and medium-sized businesses. Having your own personal (social and economical) reality constantly denied is a problem that can severely mess with your mind, yes.
In better news, Athens is creating a „Municipal Cleanliness Police force”: “By fall (...) Athens will present a different image,” Deputy Mayor for Cleanliness and Recycling of the Municipality of Athens said.
Here’s a good explainer, worth reading, about why I would bet that we’re probably not talking about the fall of 2024: the perennial problem of the cleanliness of Athens is exacerbated in the tourist season, when a number of street cleaners corresponding to 700,000 inhabitants (so, not enough anyway) tend to pick up the garbage of 7,000,000. The issue is, apparently, further complicated by the illegal disposal practices linked to Airbnb renovations.
On Monday, the Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY) issued an alert on the West Nile virus, advising citizens to be cautious. Protect yourselves of mosquitoes, guys.
More than 80% of households in Greece will pay around €0.15 per kilowatt-hour in their electricity bills in August.
Greek banks are considering replacing fees for each transaction with monthly fees that will vary according to the package the customers use. More expensive packages will come with more benefits, but, in any case, are planned to cost no more than 10 euros per month.
Passenger traffic at Athens’ international airport posted a 9.3% increase in July 2024, compared to the same month of 2023, according to figures released by the airport. This is one of the most efficient and well organized airports I’ve ever been on (and I’ve been an international commuter for the last few years). That being said, the security lines can still become huge, so take your time if you travel in August.
If you have an account on gov.gr, you can now add information about your pets contained in the National Register of Companion Animals (pet.gov.gr) on the gov.gr Wallet application. Things like: name of pet, photo, microchip, vaccinations, and so on.
Take out your tomatoes and start chopping, because the price of olive oil is going down! Or so producers say, due to increased production in 2024: “Compared to the historical highs of 9.5 euros per kilogram observed 3-4 months ago, the price has now decreased to 7 euros per kilogram for extra virgin olive oil.”
Wanderlust
Here’s where to watch the Perseid meteor shower, which peaks on August 12th.
Athens Pakistani Street Food festival is happening this weekend. If you stay home, though, at least learn how to make the perfect moussaka.
And a few travel tips:
This region of Greece is beautiful, crowd-free and a Unesco site – and you’ve probably never heard of it.
Five beaches 2 hours from Athens that are ideal for full day getaways.
A lot of people ask about what Agistri is all about. So here’s a short guide to it. I personally love it, it’s one of my favorite destinations for a short trip, and sometime in 2021 it helped me recover from a severe burnout episode during which I couldn’t sleep for months. I went there four days after the quarantine ended: it was the most charming little corner of paradise that I had ever seen.
But these days, it’s at its best in late September or even October - patience will pay off, I promise.
This is Agistri, in late September 2023.
And right next to Agistri, there’s the pretty and uncomplicated Aegina, bright with art and inspiration. Exceptionally beautiful to explore on two wheels - if you have a scooter or a motorbike, throw it on a ferry and just go. You will not regret it.
Souvala, Aegina, July 2023.
Aegina, Moni Island, July 2022.
Useful Tidbits Corner
How do I know when and where I can find a laiki? (farmer’s market)
The website of the Farmers Markets of the Region of Attica (foreaslaikon.gov.gr) is up and running. You can find there the schedule and address of all the farmers markets (laiki) in Athens. This other one, that I used until recently, is also useful, but it has a more complicated interface.
Have a great weekend and do write back. Even if it’s just to complain.
Ioana