Random thoughts
Wednesday 8th May, and there is a parade and celebration in Yialos today (yesterday). We’re going down to watch because godson #1 is carrying the flag. That’s an honour which, I believe, used to be awarded to the top pupil in the class or year. Now the pupil is chosen at random, I’m told (but still believe the original idea because Godson #1 is very academic). I’ll see if I can get any decent photos.
Also, randomly thinking… I notice that the yUK is going to be taking part in the upcoming EU elections and that the Brexit party is set to do well. At least, that’s what the fake news Mail and other ‘newspapers’ on the right of Atilla are spreading around. It may be true because there are a few sensible, non-Brexit parties but not one cohesive party, so their votes will be spread, and of course, no-one with any self-respect would vote for the two main parties slowly disintegrating around the country’s ears. But my wandering thought was, how stupid it is for anti-Brexit people to vote MEPs into an organisation they don’t believe in or want, and which the country will probably be out of soon anyway. It’s like buying a ferry ticket for a destination you don’t want to go to and on a boat that probably won’t make it there. I know, it’s a protest, but it’s all making for great entertainment over here where the rest of Europe is hiding its laughter behind a look of ‘get on with it.’ Moving on…
Another random thought, slightly related, is my driving licence. If you were following this one a few months ago, you will know that I took my old paper yUK licence into the KEP office to have it changed to a Greek one. I can’t remember exactly when that was, but I think it was early March, about two months ago. A friend called into KEP the other day and while there, asked about progress. Apparently, the process is taking much longer than expected because there are so many people changing their licences, so I should expect to wait another month at least. I don’t intend to use the thing, but you never know, and it is another form of ID.
Yesterday, I was up in time to see the Blue Star come at go at 5.00, taking with it the class of godson #2 (who is really the other godson #1 as they are equally important). The 15/16-year-olds are off to Santorini on a school trip for a few days, and I am assuming the scene inside local houses at 3.30 yesterday morning was something of a trauma for all concerned. Raising a teenager from slumber in time for school at eight is bad enough. Then again, there is a trip involved, and they’ve all worked very hard raising the money, so I doubt anyone got much sleep and, as I write, the teachers are enjoying some peace as their group dozes on the boat, hangs around Rhodes for five hours and then gets on a plane. Actually, I doubt they will get much peace at all, but I can say from experience, Greek school children are among the politest I’ve encountered when travelling. We were in Belgrade one winter and bumped into a large party of Greek teens visiting St Savas’ Cathedral – perfectly behaved. We also met another large group on Kos once, and they couldn’t have been more polite and helpful. Around here, if you walk towards a group of teens ‘hanging out’ after school, you know you’re likely to be greeted with several pleasantries, whereas approach a group of teens in the yUK… Well, you may well want to cross the street. Sorry to generalise, but experience provides the only comparison I can make. I am babbling now so I’ll go and have breakfast.
