Athens Express blog site

After having spent about 6000-7000km on rails,  a ferry and unfortunately also some roads,  after having passed through 14 countries in 14 days,  after having met Green friends from all over the world and especially from Czech Republic,  Croatia,  Hungary,  Romania,  Bulgaria and Greece,  we will be back in Brussels when this blog is posted.

The question is, should I join the demonstration or not? The Greek people are protesting for u,s too. For the populations in Europe. They are only the first who are demanded such a tremendous effort. And today 100 000 protestators of angry people took to the streets of Athens as Greek Parliament is about to narrowly vote a new austerity package.

It was always a possibility, even before we left Brussels. Afterall, the general strike had been declared, the dates set (in stone). There would be massive disruption throughout Greece on the very days we would cross over the border and then take the final leg to the sat of democracy.

Is a that what you call a change in timetables, involving an early arrival?

After a wonderful day in Sofia with our friends from Zelenite, we had to take the decision on how to deal with the general strike that was announced for Greece on 6th and 7th.

They were effusive, passionate, committed. They spoke with a determination and willing to stand up and be seen. During the demonstration, they were cajoled and accused by some of the spectators. It was all quiet enough, but it was clear the Greens were being provoked. And they simply stood their ground and pressed on. 

Romania still seems caught between communism and capitalism. The era of Ceausescu has a presence that never seems to leave a conversation. Certainly it is hard to ignore him. The city has the monolith of the Ceausescu palace, now the parliament building. We were driving to it and turned the corner and it swept into view. More accurately, it blocked a view of anything else. This building is the biggest in Europe. In the world, it is only surpassed by the pentagon, in the USA. This was one of those moments when you wonder what happened to the sun.

When I asked him what got him interested in the Green movement, he paused to think about that and found it a curious question.  For him, there was no specific event like my French travel mate Jocelyne Le Boulicaut.  

By the time I escaped, the room was a coffin. The perfect Orwellian 1984  example. The room where they know your deepest fears. There was no way of going back inside. I would sleep on the corridor floor before going back to that Room 101.

Alright, let's ago a little back in time. We have been on our way since Wednesday now .... today is Sunday and I am surviving quite well. First night on the train was not very restful, sharing a 5 Square meters cabin with two gentlemen ..... well it is a first time ...... I knew I was going to encounter plenty of first times .....

Although we only spend few hours with them, it nevertheless gave me a first little insight into their work, their history and the topics on which they are working. Every stop had its specialty, its personality, its events.