Our planned eight-day sojourn in Athens and its surrounds, followed by three days gallivanting in Dubai, was prematurely aborted by the recent civil disobedience in many parts of Greece. What began as a reaction to the police killing of a 15-year-old in the anarchic Athenian suburb of Exarchia rapidly degenerated into a open-throated cry against the many social injustices experienced by the citizenry.
The history behind it all is really very interesting: ever since tanks rolled into university to quash mass demonstrations in 1973, killing many students (reminds anyone of June 1989?), it was henceforth written in the constitution that the military is not permitted on 'educational' property. Hence, universities throughout Greece serve as safe havens for anarchic activities. Not that this is necessary a bad thing; after all, it was thanks in part to these riotous students in 1973 that the military dictatorship was finally removed in 1974, paving the way for a democratic government (which admittedly isn't doing a fantastic job at the moment).
Rioting, looting, airport strike, general strike: safe or not it probably would not have made for a very pleasant holiday. Ah well, maybe another year. For now, it's off to Cairns instead!
Toodles all.
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Usually less grumpy
Smells like fish, tastes like fish
Usually less grumpy
About
- Brian L
- Suburbia, Australia
Two dozen years,
One too many drinks.
Apprentice of the Hippocratic arts,
On the cusp of entering the real world.
Pleading temporary insanity, permanent inanity.
(on the mend)
1 comment:
Yay, a new post. About time!
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