Violence in Athens

[Math Guy]

Past posts regarding violence in Athens seems mainly confined to the Greek strikes during the summer, 2010. However, a troubling report by Niki Kitsantonis, The New York Times, suggests that the violence in Athens seems to be getting worse.
www.nytimes.com/2011/06/15/world/europe/15iht-greece15.html?_r=1 (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/15/world/europe/15iht-greece15.html?_r=1)

[schoolinmy3]

Athens was one of our port stops in May aboard the Noordam. My son and I were on a ship excursion and while walking with the group to lunch I did notice quite a few military police in the area. Later on board I heard that there was a demonstration that day. It is a shame as Greece is a beautiful country.
Diane

[catl331]

They had some last yr before our Med. cruise. They actually plan them away from the tourist areas (Acropolis etc.) and do them near the government buildings as was the case today.

[CtheW0rld]

what does this have to do with smoking :confused:

seriously, though, no place is 100% safe.

[Karennella]

This is the latest place on our September cruise to be a worry! Egypt has been on and off and on again. It seems some of the no-go areas in Israel are only 30ks from the first port there. The first port in Turkey is very close to the Syrian border, near where there has been heavy fighting. We end up in Athens! Quite an adventure and lucky HAL have reduced the price of the cruise and agreed to pass it on.

[kgbeast]

This does not make any sense. Greece did not loose the Stanly Cup so what do they have to riot about?

[lettienets]

This does not make any sense. Greece did not loose the Stanly Cup so what do they have to riot about?
:D I thought the same thing, Vancouver riot was worse than Athens, feel sorry for anybody arriving in VCR on a ship. Disgraceful what happened last night. Hooligans and yahoos.

[SXM54]

:D I thought the same thing, Vancouver riot was worse than Athens, feel sorry for anybody arriving in VCR on a ship. Disgraceful what happened last night. Hooligans and yahoos.

They are rioting about their pensions and retirement money. In Greece, most workers retire at 55 years old. The rioting in Greece is limited to the parliament area in downtown Athens, Greece. Their economy is in shambles and the people are upset with the government.

I visited Greece in May 2010 and was concerned about our cruise and visit to the port in Athens. I hired a driver to take us all over Greece due to safety concerns. He explained much of what was going on in Greece and really the violence looks worse on TV then it really is in Greece. I'm so glad we went and didn't miss out on the beauty of Athens, Greece. We never felt unsafe and enjoyed our trip to the Acropolis and other great sites. I felt like I was in any other large city and all of the people were very friendly. There were absolutely no problems in Corfu, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini.....or any of the smaller islands. They are desperate for our business and last years riots caused a decrease in tourism and a loss of revenue for tourist related businesses.

I just read the article and this is too bad. if I were going back to Athens, I would certainly hire a driver. If anyone would like recommendations, Nikkos is excellent. I read about him in cruise critics.

[Globaliser]

Their economy is in shambles and the people are upset with the government.That's what they say, but in reality they're probably more upset with the ideas that (a) they have to start paying their taxes; and (b) they're going to have to suffer for the many years when they've not been paying their taxes.

When the conditions for bailing out the country include negotiations about whether there should be international involvement in the collection of taxes, you know that there has to be a serious problem there.

[SXM54]

That's what they say, but in reality they're probably more upset with the ideas that (a) they have to start paying their taxes; and (b) they're going to have to suffer for the many years when they've not been paying their taxes.

When the conditions for bailing out the country include negotiations about whether there should be international involvement in the collection of taxes, you know that there has to be a serious problem there.

Yes, I forgot to include that as well. You are absolutely correct. While in Greece, I visited with my girlfriend who lives in Greece and we discussed all of these things. Things are not good at all with their economy, euro, pension, taxes, and to add the recent increase in violent crime....this is terrible for Greece. I would still travel to Greece but would be careful in Athens and have a driver take me all over despite the $$$$. The country side and smaller islands were just fine.

[superoma]

:D I thought the same thing, Vancouver riot was worse than Athens, feel sorry for anybody arriving in VCR on a ship. Disgraceful what happened last night. Hooligans and yahoos.

Almost makes me ashamed to be Canadian, almost

[kgbeast]

Almost makes me ashamed to be Canadian, almost
Well, if it is any consolation for you, I believe most of the players on the Caknuckleheads are actually from the USA. I kind of like the fact that these guys doing all the rioting are showing some personality, as unappealing as it is.

[Math Guy]

Well, if it is any consolation for you, I believe most of the players on the Caknuckleheads are actually from the USA. I kind of like the fact that these guys doing all the rioting are showing some personality, as unappealing as it is.

Showing some personality ?

Would that be cowardice, lack of respect for anything, or simply the 'personality' that one assumes at your typical riot ?

I know..I shouldn't continue for fear of destroying some young thug's self-esteem.

[kgbeast]

Showing some personality ?

Would that be cowardice, lack of respect for anything, or simply the 'personality' that one assumes at your typical riot ?

I know..I shouldn't continue for fear of destroying some young thug's self-esteem.
"Oh Canada, da dada da.........."
I rest my case.