AT HOME

November 1, 2011

Almost everyone with whom I meet asks me what I'm looking in Greece, if I have relatives there etc. I answer them that I have no relationship in Greece and that I am go there for climate. Some envious could not help replying: "it's good for you, that you can afford it". But, I am accustomed to such nasty people. I remember a statement of a parvenu, became engineer with the help of the communist party, temporarily colleague with me: "You had an easy life. You went to school because your mom sent you and, slowly-slowly, you become an engineer, without effort. I had to work for it. In a single school year I followed a year of College, two classes at high school (without frequency), besides the school-leaving examination." From his point of view, my life probably seems to have been easy slight, though I doubt; I think it was just a replica of his knowing to be an impostor.

All the childhoods are happy in the adults’ eyes and all the others’ childhoods are easy, flat and trivial, unlike ours, which was dramatic and unpaired. I know, however, that, in the same period, my mother, a widow, lived many days with only bread and tea, while his father was the head of the “The Household of the Party”, which provisioned the activists with foods forbidden the others.

As for the idea to stay in Greece in cold season, my income is modest enough, smaller than that of many other people, who envy me. How could I manage in Greece? If I count the cost of gas, maintenance and, especially, the price of the medicines in Romania, I almost cover the rent for apartment in Athens. As for eating, I must eat wherever I stay. And, if sell some paintings – living there would be just better.

And there is something more: Romanian politics, news of everyday about all sorts of thieves and many others like this make me nervous. I become grumbling even in what I write. Not that I would not have to critic in Greece. I have, thank God!, perhaps even more than in Romania, but those ones do not hurt me. They are not mine. I only comment them.

That does not mean that I broke away from those from at home. I learn in Greece what is happening in Romania. There is the Internet! However, I have the advantage that we can select what interests me.

The Distance? The distance can help me to see more clearly. How about my writings? So far they had a stronger impact abroad than in my country. Perhaps now, writing from abroad, they will have more searching in Romania. Dreams!

November 2, 2011

- What do you think about Friedman’s predictions on Romania?

- The name sounds familiar to me, but now I do not know if I know who is it about.

- There is an interview appeared in a magazine; I think I still have it a home. I will give to you, to read. He says that Romania was wrong entering into OTAN and the UE. A better was would be to ally with Turkey.

- A rather categorical solution. Politics is much too complex for such simple verdicts. But you made me curious.

- Tomorrow I will bring you the magazine. And I'm curious what you think.

I received the magazine. George Friedman is the founder of Stratfor Analysis Company. The article is an interview, originally published in "Hot News", from which someone extracted - I do not know how correctly – some passages about Romania. Here's my opinion.

Some statements are correct; others do not.

He is correct when says that Romania has no chances to export in the UE its own products, because of the strong competition from more developed countries, as France, Germany and others.

It is only polite when praise the Romanians talent and it make him to be wrong, saying that Romania can export to other countries except the UE and recommends Turkey. Here, he maybe reveals a hidden thought (a desire), namely the formation of a centre of power in the flank of UE and Russia.

His mistake lays in assuming that Romania could competitively produce by itself and on their own initiative. No, unfortunately, Romania is not capable for such a thing, and those few young people, with whom we love to praise, are marginalized, or leave abroad. As a member of a larger community, it may assimilate a part of the characteristics of that community. Along with the USSR, we know what Romania assimilated. I note today that even the food – perhaps the only what could have been of good quality – is inferior than from some more developed countries, and even those from Romania of 50 years ago. As a member of UE – even like a slum and a city – it borrows something from western civilization. The difference between Brasov of today, for example, and that of 20 years ago is relevant. As a member of the UE it may produce at least component parts of some performing products, can assimilate modern technologies. In one optimistic variant, it may acquire intellectual capacities and create opportunities for export in countries like Turkey.

As for the entry into OTAN, I agree that in the event of an armed conflict, nobody will help us. We know that when the USSR invaded Czechoslovakia and there was a danger to do the same with Romania, nobody offers a support for Romania. This was the reason because of which Ceaushescu turned extern politics from West to Est. It is equally true that an alliance with any of the belligerents is a mistake. The only solution is the defence with own forces, because, in the case of very likely defeat, it remains the honour and the opportunity of fast restoration, without debts of war – material or moral – after the end of the conflict. In our case, however, the accession to OTAN was the first step to return to Europe.

November 3, 2011

- You loose flesh. Greece was not favourable for you?

- In Greece was very well.

- And then?

- Because of the language. It is not easy to speak Greek with your hands.

- I see that your hair have fallen too; is that because of the language too?

- No, my hair fell down washing it.

- That's a variant on that joke with the Russian soldier, who has found his waistcoat.

- Which joke? I do not remember.

- You were Hellenised; you forgot the autochthon jokes. Sasha and Ivan, two good friends, were in the war together and they were sworn to remain bachelors. After a few years, however, Sasha decides to married. Ivan, angry that he had been betrayed, refused the invitation to the wedding, especially since he was asked to come correctly dressed, with a tie. All that all, but the claim to wear a tie was over his conception. However, after a few days, he changed his mind and comes to the wedding as he was asked. Very happy, Sasha thanks him. Ivan responds that he was not to give up at their friendship for a thing so little. "Besides, I've found my waistcoat", he says – "Which waistcoat?", asks, Ivan. - "The waistcoat that I wore all the war under the shirt and keep me warm in frosty days.” "-Yeah, it's your jacket of which you was never separated. And where was it?" – "Under the shirt, of course."

- Yes, I remembered now the joke.

- Really? You started to come back. You did not find anything?

- Not yet. I do not had the time.

* *

*

- "At in Arcadia ego".

- I was not in Arcadia.

- Everyone was in Arcadia.

- This is a platitude with stiffener. Of course, we all was in the Arcadia of Pan, the ugly one, with beard, horns and hooves.

- It was ugly, but he invented the pan flute.

- I would prefer Poussin's Arcadia.

- The painter of you is speaking. Or do you have somehow the nostalgia for a lost happiness to which you dreamed? I know that idyllic life is not one of yours characteristics.

- Even if I have it, I'm awake at this hour.

- And that is why you limit yourself to Arcadia from geography.

- I give you a satisfaction living to consider me to be limited; at this hour I am open to other topics.

- To geography.

- Not to the geography from the atlas, but to the world, to the people. Moreover, the phrase "Et in Arcadia ego” wants to suggest a idyllic life in a beautiful scenery and, especially, quiet. No space is important, but the life. Well, I do not known any of these alternatives. I have not been in Arcadia from Peloponnese without speaking about the idyllic life.

- I've taken me the whole poem. Now I stay to think about the modern Arcadia, i.e. where the movement for the liberation of the Greeks was born.

- You fallen from one extreme to the other.

- Did you visit Delphi?

- No, I have been only in Athens. I hope in the future, sitting there more, to do some excursions. But why are you interested in? Have you any question for Pythia?

- Is she still there? If I sit to think well, I have enough questions. Who does not?

- Most of the questions since 3,000 years were the same as nowadays: what career to follow, if have or not trust in someone (friend, fiancé, fiancée), if the partner is devoted to you etc. Her answers were just goads. "Know yourself!" one says that belongs to her.

- She get into a trance due to gas source.

- Yes, gases are important.

* *

*

- You said once that Greeks have passed from Mythology – who have been infected and the Romans – to Christianity, at a speed higher than any other peoples. Not to mention about that they are among the most faithful people today.

- Yes, a philosophy is not born overnight, and each religion has in its core a philosophy. It has need a long period of gestation, and that happened in Greece to a greater extent than in any other part. When Christianity has crystallized and become public – having churches, bishops etc. – it was immediately assimilated by the Greeks. The population was prepared.

- What did not happen in the countries where it was imposed top-down. There, the population was unprepared and needed several centuries to understand what is all about.

- Or they never understood, as the natives from America, where the Europeans imposed Catholic Religion, but people continue to maintain the old beliefs even today.

- They do not want to understand. And if you mentioned the Catholicism, I believe that Western Europeans never understood the essence of Christianity, in any case, not at the time of the Inquisition and Crusades.

- But on which you rely on suggesting that the ideas of Christianity was born in Greece?

- Even St. Paul was a Jew trained in Greece. But history is much longer. Thalion Law, for example; the Old Testament is full of such indications: eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth and so on. It was replaced by its backside in the New Testament had been disbanded by the Greek lawgiver Draco as early as 620 b.c. He is also the man who tries to introduce the equality of men before the law, the Christian principle, according to which people are equal in the face of God. About Plato, a French man – I do not remember now his name – said that he was "the first systematic theologian." (It's about M. Louis, in „De la grand séminaire de Meaux”, quoted by Pan Pan Vandoros in a very beautiful novel: "Greece with and without gods".)

November 4, 2011

A dialogue imaginary but not too

- Big changes have not been ever made with brutality. The revolutions produced only disasters.

- Well, and then, how changes occur, because the leaders never give up voluntarily to their privileges.

- Through apparent small changes, but continue. Christian society - European and American – failed, because they changed the philosophical-religious paradigm, but kept the old economic formula, and created a discrepancy between people’s aspirations and reality.

- You have gone from small changes and concluded with philosophical ideas, which I've not understood very well.

- Specifically, when the society passed from hereditary monarchy to modern state, based on the institutionalisation of main social activities, nobody thought to a state with universal elections, where all uneducated people are to choose their “wise” men. Communist ideas were in hatching. The rich men of that time were still thinking that - in the defending of their wealth – it is naturally to contribute to the general expenses of the state in proportion to their wealth. The idea was not new. Even in Romanian countries, every boyar used to come to war with his army and contributed to the budget of the country according to his economic power. Of course, the power of his decision was proportional with his contribution. Well, this idea of the contribution proportional with the wealth was perpetuated even in the market economy. Applied to profit, it became a brake. Its anachronism continues and creates strong wrongdoing in society.

- Okay, you convinced me with that. How about universal elections, everyone thinks to the communists, but also the idea did not belong to them.

- Obviously, it belongs to the West, with its utopia.

We have an example just in Romania. In 1919, some politicians created the Party of Peasants. It was not born from the desire of farmers to participate in the vote. The poor of them, in their ignorance, did not know what it was. The politicians – although townspeople - had the idea that – under the conditions of universal vote – the great number of the peasants will be decisive in the fight with their political opponents. The Solution? Nothing simpler: put the name “of Peasants” to their party and have initiated a proper propaganda.

Behold, not even here, the communists have not new ideas, but used some of the others, overdone them.

Over a week I will go back in Athens.

November 5, 2011

Back in the country, I was curious to find out how the situation evolves in Greece, especially since, over a week I return. I was even glad that you learn the news in Romanian language. As far as I was in Athens, not knowing Greek language, only from C.N.N. I learnt a little bit more than nothing.

But, my puzzles increased by one. At Romanian television they talk about opposition of right, with the Prime Minister, Giorgos Papandreou, faces in the Parliament. Socialist. He is a Member of Socialist Panelenic Movement (PASOC), was even the President of Socialist International in 2006. It is a socialist born in the U.S., Saint Paul, Minnesota, where his father, Andreas Papandreou was student and has very serious studies, both before and after 1974, when he came to Greece after the restoration of the democracy, and was heavily involved in the politic life of his country. Moreover, its name is George Jeffrey Papandreou, his mother, Margaret Chant, being American. The head of the opposition is none other but Antonis Samaras, who had been friends with and roommate from College, at Amgerst, Massachusetts. As a matter of facts, both of them pretend to be socialists.

In each of us there is an Apollo, but also a Dionysus. How the peace between the two is not possible the armistice is the only solution. The fact that the violation of armistice makes one of them to put himself forward for the moment do not ensure him a favourable place in history.

But this is not that surprised me; more important is the opposition organised in the street by KKE (Greek Communist Party). Their claims are low wages and taxes too high. I did not learn it from the TV, but I saw it with my eyes. KKE is of left extreme and has 5 percents in the Parliament. Not a word about the right opposition, un-represented in the Parliament.

The real problem is the economic crisis and how to go out from it. Unfortunately, nobody think of it; common people’s options are not left or right, but with or without U.E. and euro.

On this chessboard, Papandreou plays with ability. In my opinion, the Parliament will honour its name and will remains at the level of words (parlare, in Italian language). Left and right wings of the opposition are both truly dangerous, because they can determine a slippage towards anarchy, from which other countries will know how to seize. As for crisis, it is a deep one and has implications in an inadequate legislation, people’s mentality and the lack of will to change it. Those who ought to solve it are even those who have caused it. Unfortunately, they do not want to do it, and the others are either unable, or are handled, or both of them.

* *

*

Constantin Noica complained that the Dacians from the Trojan’s column looks like perfect with the Romanian peasant of today: "The Romanian <<eternity>> is rather inflexible", he said, in his "Philosophical Journal". Here's they no longer resemble. Something has changed. It's Okay? We will see on the following column, perhaps in Beijing. The Romanians, for seeing their ancestors represented in stone, must go to Rome. The Greeks have hundreds, maybe thousands, of statues and bas-reliefs at their home. That people of today do not resemble with those of the past, anyone see. The idealization of the past is not a solution, but its remembrance helps us to see from where we started and where we ended up. Was it well? Was it wrong? Why?

Athens, the goddess of wisdom, is represented with lance and shield. What conclusion should we draw from here? Perhaps that the wisdom must be defended. It's clear that it does not impose by itself and it seems that it is vulnerable. It is sure that Greece – and not only - needs a Solon. He was one of the seven sages. Seven, because so it must: seven wonders of the world, The Magnificent Seven, The Seven Dwarfs and so on. I do not know much about the first five. Solon was the sixth and is known as a legislator. He made a constitution; by his reforms stopped the decline of Athens in an important moment and it is said to have laid the foundations of the democracy. Well, with the democracy I have some question marks, but no one asks me about my opinion. The last of the sages was Thales of Miletus, who invented the philosophy. I was wicked! He did not invent it, but is known as its fathers. One ought to say "one of the parent”, because a child needs at least two parents. Or perhaps not, and just it might to be the reason that it died before to truly born. The philosophy! Thales died later.

* *

*

- Why the Greeks are nosy?

- ?

- Because they are liars.

- Bravo! Have you thought about Pinocchio.

- Of Course. Carlo Collodi knew well his neighbours, so the association is not coincidental.

- You can be sure of it, especially since, prior to writing books for children, he was a satirist writer and journalist, well involved in politics.

- It seems to me that Carlo Collodi is a pseudonym.

- Yes, his real name was Carlo Lorenzini. He founded the newspaper “Il lampione", closed by the censorship in Tuscany in 1848 and reappeared later, after the join with Piedmont, a first step towards the unification of Italy. Books for children he has begun to write after 50 years.

- Where you can see that the literature for children is not within the reach of anyone. You need some experience for that.

- Experience and talent. It is very likely that many of his arrows, placed even in the literature for children should not be perceptible by us.

- Remain only what is universal and permanently valid.

- As the association of lies with the size of the nose.

November 6, 2011

Papandreou has received the vote of confidence. Greece will be saved for the time being. He will agree with Samaras, to form a Government of coalition. Together, they have a comfortable majority in the Parliament. In February, however, there will be parliamentary elections and the result may offer surprises of the most serious, especially since the opposition is not at all favourable. K.K.E. wants nothing else but the withdrawal from euro zone and the UE, imagining that Greece will be exempt from the payment of debts. They escape the fact that, in this assumption, they will no longer receive any aid. Some of them – traitors of simply stupid people – home in Russian help. They, the Russians, would do it with great pleasure. If the occidental great powers will allow it, the history of Europe will know a great back turning point, disastrous for Greece for long term.

With western aid, Greece is today a bankrupt country. There are people hoping to solve the problems with Russian aid. If I had not knew the Russians, I would have appreciated the initiative as being a joke. But I know them better than I desired, so I restrain the idea as an example of how much the masses can be handled. Or - simpler - as a peak of stupidity. This time, not an individual stupidity but a collective one!

Sometimes I am thinking why the European economists did not adopt realist solutions for the beginning. It would have been a lesson for other countries. The problem would have been solved, while now they wallow in ambiguous alternative. Yes, it would be happen so, if only economists would have formed the leadership. There are, however, strategists from other categories as well. The abandonment of Greece would mean, actually to leave it to Russians, who would see their dream fulfilled: to reach at the Mediterranean Sea. The "containment" suggested by George F. Kennan in the 1946 in his "Long Telegram" was the reason why Greece and Turkey have been in O.T.A.N. He noticed that Russia, starting with Ivan the Terrible, as yearly as 16th century, has developed on behalf of conquest and not by economic growth of its own. A solution could be its enclosure (containment), in order to prevent its expansion, what has happened in some extent. The cause of the collapse of the former U.S.S.R. was just the inefficiency of its economy.

Consequently, Greece will probably remain in the European Union and euro zone, to the joy of some, disappointment of the others and the continuation deterioration of morality.

* *

*

In respect of democracy I have another note. Legend say that Athens became protector of the city as a result of a contest, having Poseidon as opponent. Each of the two was to offer a present. Poseidon gave a horse, while Athens an olive tree. The olive tree was unknown to the Greeks at the time. Therefore, the gift was appreciated. As gratitude, the Greeks maintain today an olive tree near the Erechteion, on Acropolis, where hardly grow something. They consider it to be sacred. What it seems to be interesting to me is the way of access to supreme function: not through direct combat between the claimants, but by the choice of others, depending on the offer, which is the similar with the modern elections. Look a proof that democracy lays in the mentality of the Greeks since prehistoric times. It was their invention? Aces, in the animals is the same, only that there, the female chose.

* *

*

After 20 . . . days

Sunday, November 20, 2011

I returned in Athens after a break of 20 days, this time along with my wife. I'll continue for a while to note impressions and thought from Greece. How long? I still do not know. I will see. Probably up till someone will ask me the text to publish it. Dreams? Maybe!

* *

*

There is no longer garbage in the streets. The workers from sanitary engineering stopped their strike and collected the litter. The agitators seem to have tempered their propaganda and people regained the peaceful. The means of transport in common run, even their drivers can make problems on their own initiative.

* *

*

I dreamed that I was swimming along the coastline, very close to the shore. It was a steep shore. I should to continue at least one hundred meters along the coast up to a beach, where I could go out of water. I was in a hurry to get home, where my brother-in-law and sister - both deceased – were waiting for me, to celebrate the New Year. Because the water was too little deep, I wanted to move myself a little farther away from the shore. On a reef, there was a white marine animal. He did not seem aggressive, so I did not take fright at him, but I wanted to move away from him. Still, a fear I had, as my movement was so suddenly, that I made it really and I hit my head against the wall. So I woke up. Little latter, after I fell asleep again, I dreamed that a dog has bitten my hand. He did not thrust his teeth; only was holding my hand. I woke up definitive. It was all for the better or for the worst?

* *

*

In Greek language, from dio = two, they form double = diplos. In association with matiá = look, they form diplomátis = insincere, cunning, astute but also diplomat and diplomatía, with identical meanings, namely man with two faces.

Diploma comes from there as well and means copy; it is a copy handed to a graduated, after the original preserved in the archives of the institute.

* *

*

The favourite colour of Greek women is black. Most of them wear black dresses, as they would permanently wear mourning. Mourning after who? Only after themselves.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

We started to visit the places through which I had been, but not my wife. Among the first, due to its proximity to Kipseli Square, was the pedestrian alley, which starts from here and goes to Patissia Avenue.

In the square, there is the statue of Constantinos Canaris, a hero for independence, about whom I wrote in one of the letters. Now I had the opportunity to photograph the statue, with my new camera, which I purchased a couple of days ago. On the boat at his feet one can decipher the word “Elefteria” (freedom).

The pedestrian passage, very nice, has at its both ends statues of two former mayors, and between them, along of approximately 500 metres, an area full of vegetation, from bushes up till palm trees. The most of them are still green, even in flower. Among them, those few leafy trees give a plus of originality.

This is a preferred space for the owners of dogs to come with their best friends (a reason to pay attention where you step on, as I see nobody with necessary utensils for amassing their filth). Most dogs know each other and begin a play admired by all the passer-bys. On day, a big dog played with a very small one. After a quarter of hour, the big one was exhausted. A dozen of people amused watching them.

For dispelling any doubt, in the midst of the alley, between the statues of two mayors, among artesian fountains and others, there is a statue of a dog. Not the best one but suitable of the area.

* *

*

In the centre of the city, close to the remains of Hadrian's Arch the stream of cars is interrupted only for a few seconds to allow the passage of pedestrians with good feet, and only them. Good lungs are welcomed, because the pollution is remarkable in the centre. On the hills is different. There, you feel like in a climate resort.

Behind the 'artist photographer', i.e. myself, there is a bust of Melina Mercouri.

Nice gesture of recognition from fellow citizens.

Behind the Arch the Temple of Zeus is; imposing due to the size and impressive thanks to the environment: a park: the Central Park, where - as expected - there are many statues.

There are many statues in Athens. Not just the ancient ones, but also some very modern, in new style or classic. One that we liked a lot is a little further, close to metro station Victoria.

If the Greeks of today are good at something that something is the architecture and the highlight of the values.

Friday, November 25, 2011

I don't know if it is nostalgia or something else, but, in those few days since we are back in Athens, we passed twice by the same place, which both of us liked from the first time. Then, it was hot, the place griped by the tourists, we were sitting on the bench listening the songs of some occasional musicians. Nothing of all those are now, and however, we returned. There is there a special atmosphere, calm, an inner quiet even when it's noise.

In the landscape there is a door, surrounded by greenery. In fact its ruins. Of course, it is not subject of the attraction, but it cannot be ignored; it is “photogenic”. I thought it is only my subjective impression, but many other tourists take photos of it, sign that the attraction is real. I did not know what building was there, as there is not an indicator. In the meantime, I have been looking for information, and I found out. It has an interesting history. First, it was a theological school, built by Turks. Also, they used it as prison during the War of Independence. From the plane tree (platanus) in the courtyard, they hanged many Greek patriots. After the war, the

Greeks used it in the same aim. As a result, in the mind of the Athenians, the place became damned. In 1843, the poet Achilleas Paraschos predicted that, one day, the tree will be hitting by the lightning and the remnants cut and used for fire. In 1919, the prediction was performed exactly: the tree was struck by lightning and what remained was cut in pieces and burned on the fire. Building was demolished, except for the door, which, in meantime time, has acquired aesthetic values.

We will never know whether it was the hazard or people working at demolition intuited its future artistic value. Most probably, the space must be enclosed and, instead to dig a new fence, they preserved a part of the old wall including the door. Here's another proof that some aesthetic values are rarely designed; most often they are products of the chance. Artistic sense of the viewer is that which gives them aesthetic attributes.

Saturday, 26 November, 2011

The images that I watched on the TV could not be staged or as an effect of hazard. It was playing the 5th Symphony by Beethoven. In a sequence of wood-wins, on the first plan were the line of instruments and, in background, the sticks of the kettledrum keep the rhythm. The image was in a perfect accord with the moment of the Symphony. And it was not some moment, but a characteristic one of the whole work. In another sequence, one could see at the same time he conductor, the audience and part of the Orchestra, with the instruments aligned in German style.

Everything was possible, because they used many cameras. What really counted was the selection; and the one who made it was an exceptional professional. The images were not only beautiful. He was also a connoisseur of the music. He knew in advance which instrument is to enter and the image catch exactly that moment.

Interpretation of the Berlin Philharmonic, led by Herbert von Karayan, was, of course, wonderful. Its association with such images made the whole performance to be a delight.

That make me to think Pascal, with his: „Le hasard ne favorise que les esprits préparé”.

* *

*

In Greek, lefta (money) and lepta (minutes) are two words easily confused in pronunciation. Perhaps, at the beginning, it was a single word, and the differentiation was made by grammars in writing. For this reason, someone might think that the translation of saying "Time is money" could be tautological. The idea is contradicted by the fact that Greeks are the largest squanderers of time I ever known. It can be said that the loss of time is their favourite job.

Sunday, 27 November, 2011

How the Russians have solved the problem of contemporary literature

Indeed, after several classics of universal literature, it is difficult to produce something remarkable. And yet, the great Soviet Union could not remain indifferent, especially after returning to the former name: Russia.

At first glance, it seems to be a Bible or a very valuable old book.

Some indications appear on the spine but they are in Russian. The figure 3 could say to us that we are in front of the third volume and we regret not to have the first two. Still, it's not about the volume three, but three litres; it can easily read. The title is clearly visible on the front cover: Cabernet. Attractive, isn’t it? However, the author's name does not appear.

Barely the fourth cover dispels the mystery. Here, we learn how to use it. The secret is a tiny spigot, as barrels have. If you press the right button, three litres of wine will leak. Now, can you could regret do not have the first two volumes as well, but you can "read" the same "volume" in multiple copies.

Perhaps, I should say how I made this discovery. One day, we went to see the Aegean Sea again. It was a very beautiful day and it would be a pity to miss the chance. There, we met a Romanian man from Suceava, working in Athens for twenty years. He was very talkative and communicative. He knows Russian language and it seems to be a sympathiser of our former “friends”. From him we learned there is a supermarket, where there are Russian products, caviar among them, at affordable prices. Yesterday, we walked there. There is not just a supermarket but even a small one. Its name is Moscow (MOCKBA) and is located at the number 220, on one of the many avenues with the name Venizelou. On which of them? In the Kallitea district, which leads to seaside (even in this district there are two streets with the same name). On this street there is also a statue of Eleftherios Venizelos, with glasses. The man was a revolutionary and eminent politician, elected Prime Minister several times between 1910-1920 and between 1928-1932. The Greeks trained bears a deep respect. More difficult was to find the shop. In the store, they did not have caviar, but we found red caviar and bought it. It enjoyed me very much, not only because I like them even more than black caviar, but also I have calculated that it passed 55 years since I ate “eggs of Manchuria”, as we call them.

At the shop “Moscow” I purchased "the book", about which I talked from the beginning. It contains a red wine, sweet, very good. There are also other varieties of wine, because - eh? - a literature like that of old Russians that cannot be limited at a single book.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Today, the national day of Romania is. Of course, there is not much to see here about it; not even in Romania, due to unfavourable time. It is hard to stimulate people’s enthusiasm on drizzle. Any nation with smarter leaders has its largest celebration on more favourable seasons. In addition, the choice of the on 1 December 1918, advancing the idea of a Romanian State recently established and neglect the pre-existence of Romanian countries and nation.

It is not useful to insist on the solutions adopted by other countries, such as France (July 14, the fall of the Bastille), United States of America (4 July), England (23 April, St George's Day), Ireland (March 17, St. Patrick's Day) or others. The stupidity of our choice is rather evident.

Greece has chosen 25 March, when the metropolitan Germanos raised the banner with the cross in the Monastery of Agia Lavra, , which symbolise the beginning of the War of Independence. The Geeks might adopt a day of independence, but was more difficult to chose one and it would be more less convincing, because the date of recognition by other states says less than the fight of Greeks for achieving this objective.

* *

*

I am in Athens (Greece) right now, in these crucial days for her future.

In recent decades, Greece was the beneficiary of certain advantageous investment and loans, but it has not returned them. Now its economy depends on a new loan from the World Bank, without which, in the next month it will enter in collapse. Receiving this loan, the situation will not be remedied, but merely postponed. What Greece needs now are some measures to increase the value of the product, for which it needs the investment, and investments the investors. Unfortunately, once fooled, the investors no longer risk.

The worst is that they do not pursue to effective solutions. On the one hand there are those who have made a fortune, but they have deposited the money abroad, and on the other hand are ordinary people, without economic culture. Although Greece is a country truly democratic, the lack of education does not allow them to find solutions. Parks, taverns, pubs and cafés, are full of people discussing politics passionately, with the only effect of protests and strikes, which are good only to destroy what is still productive. Malicious people instigate them to anarchy.

I'm very curious what will happen in the near future.

* *

*

Because Asclepius had begun to bring the dead to life, Zeus killed him. He should to be content with healings. The exaggerations are harmful even at the Greeks. Or especially for them!

* *

*

One day, I went with my wife to a fancy restaurant. They have there a civilized toilet, where she was able to solve an urgent problem.

In the meantime, I have photographed the Acropolis from another angle.

Wednesday, 7 December 2011

Yesterday, I had the chance to know Nicolas, a Greek ceramist. He is born in the Kefalonia Island, but lives for a life in Athens. He has a beautiful family along with he lives in Marousi, a nice district of Athens. Zmaragdi, his wife, is a Greek woman, but she spent her childhood in Romania, as the daughter of Greek refugees during the Civil War. Nicolas, behind a beard and a curly hair, which covers sometimes his eyes, hides a cute and friendly man. His wife tells me that he is not always so, and that he may be even very rough, but I've seen as a person cheerful and kind-hearted.

Although it was his birthday, he proposed me to go along to know a few fellows, with whom he had some work to done. I visited thus the workspace of another sculptor and – especially – their gallery of art. It is impressive. On a space of almost 2000 square feet, more artists expose, united in an independent association. It is a nice and efficient initiative. There, he received money for some sold works. He is a professional artist in the true sense of the word, because he wins his existence by selling his works.

Among the exhibits – of a great variety - I found a statue, signed Georgiou (my name in Greek), representing an ancient personality. If the signature had been placed more central, I could commend that it represent me. To arrogate its fatherhood is not attractive for me, as I never carved.

From Zmaragdi I learnt a pretty happening. In a camp of refugee kids from Greece in Romania, someone announced that the table is ready. Instead of coming to eat, all children run and hided, where they could. Explanation: the Romanian word for “ready" sound like “cat” in Greek; the kids understood the meal is made from cats.

Nicolas does not know Romanian language, so we understood each other with the few English words known by him with the very few Greek words learned by me. The way that we driven with his car – an old Isuzo, on which he leads as all the Athenians: with impetuosity - meant a crossing of a maze of streets, so I was wondering how he find his way. I asked him if he never was lost. He replied that knows the area like his slap. I believe him and wonder if my memory would be capable of such performance. We came back at his house, where our wives and his daughter were waiting for us, with a tasty steak.

In the evening, on our way to Kipseli, the district where we live now, we passed by the neighbour district Galatzi. It is laid between hills, on a relatively flat place, which allowed having broad streets, with a central avenue. After the first coup oeil, it seemed to be relatively new, modern and nice. I was told that the name has been inspired by the city with the same name in Romania. Maybe yes, maybe not! I wonder: the Romanian name of the city does not come from Greek? In Greek, "galazios" means blue. The Danube, the stream on the bank of which Galatzi is settled, is not just blue, especially near the delta, but the imagination of poets can colour it anyway.

Without any relation to Galaţi, but connected with Kefalonia, the island where Nicolas was born, I learned that Ion Luca Caragiale's grandfather, named Stephen, was originating from this island. It means that he was Greek and not Macedonian, as some people attempted to assert.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

The Franco-Hellenic League Headquarters

Events organised by the Cultural Society "Balkania Contemporary".

The Romanians in Athens can be meet at events organized under the logo "Contemporary Balkania," a society founded and chaired by Mrs. Monica Săvulescu Voudouri. At her invitation, we participated at the cultural evening organized yesterday, December 10 in the space provided by the Franco-Hellenic League, from Kolonaki Square.

Interesting and commendable is that, besides the Romanians, few Greeks participated as well, reason for which the speeches were translated into both languages. Is a proof that the circle of Romanians involved in cultural activities, stirs interest among some natives. Nearly 100 people attended.

For a single evening, the plastic artist Gabriel Grama exhibited paintings from the series "Masks".

Older and newer, inspired by Romanian tradition, but also from his contact with the environment where he lives now, his paintings remain authentic Romanian and visible due to the school of Iasi, where he was a student.

Psychiatrists Dr. Cristina Popovici, from Dromokaitio hospital and Dr Stefanos Vasakos, from "The Greek Council for Refugees," argued the thesis "The effects of the crisis on the human psyche." The psychological topics incite some people, what happened this time too, reason for which the lectures continued with discussion. Unfortunately, they were too long, both for the patience of the public and for those with sickly inclinations, for which the debates on such theme worsen their symptoms. The specialist physicians should know this elementary think and avoid the comments in the presence of patients. Of course, the organizers of the meeting are not guilt for this slight deviation.

Fortunately, the evening continued with a moment of poetry; actor Dimitris Petropoules read in Greek Odysseas Elytis, after which, Monica Săvulescu Voudouri recited in the Romanian language.

The musical moment debuted with two tracks by Hans Fryba and Nicolo Paganini, played on contrabass by Mihalis Semsis, and ended, as expected, with carols.

Discussions continued on a glass of wine.

Monday, December 12, 2011

We walked with the clothes in the satchel again. We left at 11.30, dressed according with the weather. It seemed that it is a nice day, with a few small unthreatening clouds, but we had not the courage of dress ourselves only t-shirts. In a half-an-hour we had to pull off the clothes. It was too hot. When we got home at five o’clock, the thermometer shows 22-Celsius degrees, in December 12.

Among other things, we visited again the park "Alsos Pediou Areos". Unlike its similar from Paris, from which it resembles only in name, this one is a true park, very nice.

One of the alleys, has two rows of statues representing outstanding personalities from the time of the War of Independence. Among these men appear and three women. In all seriousness with which we must watch these heroes, the name of one of them caused me a smile: Lascarina Bibilina. Some Greek words sound amusing for Romanians and we are tempted to think that all Greeks are cheerful and joking men. In reality, they have a different perception of sounds.

* * *

The other day, at a Greek TV channel, I caught a reportage about the Greeks that lived for a time in Romania. Some of them have become local personalities, making honour both to their ethnicity and to the city as well. They used to consider themselves Romanians and only political changes after the II Word War have led their followers to return "la patrida", as they were saying.

I haven't caught the show from the beginning. Maybe they talked about Brasov, where the Greek Church testimonies their presence in Transylvania. The truth is that there were Greeks in all towns. Most many were in the southern part of the country, in particular in Dobrogea, the shore of the Black Sea being mentioned as early as in Greek mythology. Certainly they talked about Constantza, named so in the honour of the step sister of Constantine the Great, but already known as Tomis. It received this name from the story of Argonauts, being the place where the Medea killed his brother, who has been cut – Tome (Τομή) in Greek language - into pieces and thrown them into the sea, to lighten the flee of her newly married husband, Jason.

I watched the part of the show about Braila, Galatzi and Tulcea. Beautiful houses, people of good condition, who left a trail, designed to maintain the admiration of followers.

The reportage ended on a relatively sad note, with images of former ships, now degraded and half-sunk, throwing a feeling of regret for old times.

Remarkable remains the concern of Greeks from today to keep in people’s memory the presence and contribution of their predecessors on the other lands.

* *

*

Although they are in the euro-zone for a long time, the Greeks say "lefta" (subdivisions of ancient coins, drahma) instead of euro-cents. I wonder if us, the Romanians, will keep the term "bani" after we will adopt the European currency, in expressions like “five euros and twenty bani”.

* *

*

In my first days in Athens, the crowd of coloured people – Africans, Indians, Arabs etc - disliked me but, in time, I began to differentiate them. A black man impressed me particularly; he was carrying a trolley with all kinds of rubbish, with the intention of capitalizing them. I gave him a few empty bottles. What struck me was his look, accompanied by a "Thank you", and a gesture of gratitude, as I never seen before. One sees that such thing did not happen to him so far, or – if yes – it was very rare. As a rule, they rummage in containers. The population treat them with disdain, though these people deserve our admiration for the courage to have left their countries for a better life and our compassion in the same time for the situation in which they arrived.

At the opposite pole, other coloured people are, dressed in fashion, impertinent, rude, who came to steal or sell narcotics and other such wrongdoing.

The lack of discernment for these two extreme categories, both from the public and officialdom, proves not only too little compassion for people in difficulty but even a poor understanding of the notion of civilization.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

With regard to my older statement, according to which weak women would be majority in Greece, I have serious doubts now. Because winter came, it is cooler, and overweight persons have made their appearance. There are enough and have impressive dimensions. In diameter, because most of the Greeks are short. Even among those relative normal, many have the basin and thighs surprisingly overly developed, compared to the rest of the body. Maybe some people like so. In some ancient images, women portrays are shown even so. It was probably the symbol of feminine beauty, which emphasizes the main characteristic of women, that to make children. I confess that I like the ones with sportive aspect. From where, you can see that everything is relative.

Speaking of relativity. Many years ago, in a Friday, I went to a cinema. At that time, I was passionate about movies and every Mondays were dedicated to the first broadcast film. This story happened in 1959, the year of my debut as an engineer. At the time, at any movie theatre, the programs were changed once per week, and the most important of them from the town shows a premiere. The others used to show resumes or minor films. TV does not come into discussion: it barely appeared and was far from becoming interesting for movies. I do not remember how was that I was going Friday at a premiere, but not this detail is important. I also remember the film: a German one. It was unusual in Romania of that time and the explanation stand in its political message: a West-German officer – a very handsome man – had trained in the United States, where he assisted at an experience with atomic bomb and became ill with leukaemia. The first symptom was after his returning in Germany; dancing at a party, he became dizzy and got out of hand his girl-partner. The dance was rock-and-roll, and it is the reason because of which I remember the film. It was for the first time when I saw how to dance it. Songs could be heard, although it was not recommended. “Big brother” could not stop us to listened foreign radio stations. But how to dance we did not know. What I knew was that a few students in Cluj, have been arrested, because they danced rock-and-roll at a meeting.

Later on, in the same year, during the vacation on the coast of Black Sea, I have learned how to dance rock-and-roll, from a band of actors from the Theatre "Constantin Tanase". The actors were people more free than the engineers. Late in the evenings, sooner in night, they came from the shows and used to discus at a glass of something. The women, especially two of them were less willing to drink, but more keen to dance. In the first day I was there by the chance, but in the following I did not miss the any opportunity. The room had well waxen parquet, I had new shoes, so that, after these “lessons” of dance, all my life I liked to dance on a slippery surface. Rock was in its beginning phase, with almost acrobatic figures, and I had became a specialist among novices.

But, I strayed from the subject. In the room of the cinema a young man of about thirty years old settled behind me. He was well dressed, but smelled awful. I imagined that he made pee on himself and, by shame, he entered the movie theatre to dry and possibly go out in dark. Then, I moved a couple of rows in front. The next day, I attended a birthday party day. Among the quests, a person was scented with a perfume smelling identically to that of guy from the cinema. Some girls or ladies discussed laudatory about that perfume, recently brought on the Romanian market. I learned that its name was Paciuli.

Then I was convinced that our judgments are more relative than we imagine, and not only in terms of tastes or smells, but even in some essential fields.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Yesterday I was walking on the shore of the sea. Maybe you will not to believe me; I regretted that I did not been prepared; one could have been made bath but I had to be content watching as others were doing it. It was 14 December.

I suppose the water was not just hot, because the number of braves was small enough, but those who entered the water were standing there pretty long time, sign that it was neither very cold.

To write how beautiful it was, how pleasing ... Not much point. Something must be felt, not told about.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Yesterday was a day in which the saying “Many go out for wool and come home shorn” was as appropriate as possible.

A rainy day was announced at weather bulletin. Although rare, it happens to rain in Athens too. The sky was cloudy, but the clouds were well contoured; they did not seemed to be threatening. Just toward the evening, they became uniform and my wife announced me that drops of rains began to fall. I have not noticed. Now, instead, at six in the morning, when I am writing (do not know why I woke up so early), it's showing, with thunders. On a weather map on the Internet I see how it rains throughout the Mediterranean region and it is relative sunny in the North, where it was cloudy so far. However, tomorrow will be sunny at 8 in the morning. So says the forecast. I'm curious! From the same site, I learned the day will be tomorrow shorter in Athens with 9 seconds and it Brasov with 11 seconds. It is a difference of the day-light of about an hour in this season. Soon after the winter solstice, the day will start to grow. Spring is over the corner. Now it rains downpour.

But, let’s return to day of yesterday. We had intended to visit the district Psiri, about which I had read in a tourist’s booklet that it would be interesting. Known in the past as a disreputable area, it is remarkable now for its restaurants and tavern, in which, at the evening time, foreign people can get an idea about the authentic Greek soul, through music, dance and the way in which the natives spend special moments. Also, it was mentioned the existence of a bazaar, although the city is full of small shops with this firm. Until to get there, we thought to cross the district Plaka, perhaps almost empty now, in the absence of tourists, where I could buy a pair of shoes with thick sole, suitable for the apartment in Athens, with floor of marble and which, due to the owner’s avarice, is heated only during the evening for two, maximum three hours. In return, we were to take a trolleybus from Syntagma Square.

At departure, bad luck: the bus has just gone off, so we might to wait for the following. On Sundays they run more rare, although I would have thought that such a thing is not possible, judging after how crowded and rarely they run in ordinary days. But anything is possible here. We took, therefore, a trolleybus, of those that we had to go back. So, we reversed the route, and started with Plaka.

In Plaka, surprise! Instead of some almost empty streets, as it was expected, since the tourist season was over, we met the greatest agglomeration ever met in the most effervescent days. This time there were not tourists, but Greek people, came out to promenades with children of all ages, in swings or on their own feet. The season of winter holidays had begun. Over a week, Christmas will be. Barely one could squeeze through the crown, or to make room by yourself among the people (a method frequently used by the Athenians of our days). It was hard to get to the shop windows, so we abandoned the idea of shopping. We succeeded only to cross the district. It was still interesting for the spectacle of the street.

Many times, I thought that people rush to speak about the residents of visited cities, judging them from the spectacle of the streets, although the street say almost nothing about them. In a modern city, people move by cars, go into the basement parking of the blocks where they work and where there are restaurants, shops and – generally – everything one needs. They have not reasons to leave the buildings. On the street, only poor people and visitors can be found. A special image offers Las Vegas, where the spectacle of the streets is fascinating, but this is offered exclusively by visitors, each of them being spectator and actor at the same time.

This time, the local residents were making the spectacle from Plaka.

After crossed Plaka, we arrived in Monastiraki Square, from which we entered Psiri direct through the famous Bazaar.

It is, in fact, a rag fair, full of "sellers" of almost all colours, the most of them in shades of brown, more or less dark, eager to do a small business here and some natives who have missed any business. They occupy the pavement of one side of the street along of about two hundred metres.

There are, however, and a few antique stores. Here, on small spaces, one can find a wealth of objects more than anywhere else.

The street is one of the sides of the district. Movement through the area is difficult and as unpleasant as possible if you do not want to buy something.

Once entered the Psiri district, the atmosphere changes. From the architectural point of view, it looks like a fair from one-two hundred years ago. Merely in the centre, the attraction promised in the guide is revealed.

Nice taverns even in the middle of the day, original decorated, most with tables taken out, in the front of the building. We think it would be interesting to spend the New Year here.

The front of some buildings with ugly aspect were decorated with paintings (not whitewashed) in modern style, or covered with large posters.

The program of the day once finished, we were to come back to home by the bus that we should leave with. We waited more than an hour until the first bus came. Not all people were able to enter. Only the most vigorous ones and we were not among them. The bus was already shock-full. We thought the following will come soon and will be less crowded. Aces! Another hour passed.

In meantime, we had the possibility to observe the traffic in Athens: everything at little understanding, characteristic for Greek people. This time we managed to get on the bus, and so we got home. We have comforted and heated with a glass of wine.

* *

*

In many ways, Greece is very far from Europe, even further than Romania. At first glance is a prosperous country, but the positive assessments disappear at a closer look of the root of Greece.

Of course, there are many rich and very rich men, nice houses, the traffic of good cars is terrible. Maybe the most impressive is their love for beauty. Almost all the time, on the streets and in the balconies, lots of flowers bloom in succession. For those in the streets, we must offer our congratulations to the municipality. For those in the balconies of the houses, the administrations of the city come out from the discussion. In this case, only the owners are the authors. Also, the great number of flower shops is a proof; they could not exist without buyers.

But . . . there is a but. The opulence derived by external aids but the lack of education is still visible. Only arrogance and impulsivity are not enough for a good understanding of civilisation.

Today we waited two hours a bus and travelled in more inhumane conditions than those in Romania of communist period. To buy stamps, a few days ago, I had to wait a half-an-hour. In other day, I waited a lot at a tax agency for the so-called "tax number"; after almost two hours in a queue I advanced about 2 metres, from 15, as the queue had. As there was not chance to arrive at the front until the end of the program, I leaved. For personal affairs with state institution, the Greeks are obedient, swear and wait. I was told: "That's in Greece".

In the trolleybus that I went in the same day, two men were discussing politics, as they just were good of it. In reality, as convinces they are in their opinions as ignorant they are. They imagine that, if democracy is a Greek word, they just are its exponents. In fact, they are merely anarchists, their claims aim only general and absurd problems. As for the strikes and demonstrations in public space, blocking the traffic, the usual word is "down": down the Government, Parliament and other institutions, about which they only heard something, but do not know much about what kind of deals they do, actually.

Instead, in their direct relations with state institutions they stay and endure. They don't know to focus on concrete and solvable problems and struggle for solving them in favour of citizen.

What truly the Greeks have is the freedom. They may do anything they want and nothing bad happens to them but, as they do not know what to want, nothing good happens. If in a dictatorship people’s obedience is explicable, in Greece it is misunderstood. Instead, the freedom is understood as anarchy. On a wall I saw even the slogan: "Global Civil War".

What I find significant is the degree in which such people can be manipulated. Democracy is the most effective means of leading the mob. Of course, there always is someone who will take advantage, both from inside and outside of the country. Internally it is their affaire; externally, however, I hope Western Europe will not leave Greece out of hand. If from the military point of view I am convinced the European leasers know what to do, from the cultural point of view I have huge mark-questions.

It is seriously, because at the base of anarchism from Greek’s thinking is their ignorance. Sometimes, ignorance makes good alliance with malice. Few institutions fall victim of popular
anger. Usually shop windows and – here – a theatre.

It is explainable by the history of this nation, but unacceptable culturally. The prosperity of any nation lays in culture of the middle class. It is not by chance that advanced countries keep their position even after the heaviest blows. Germany has the most solid economy, after losing two wars. People know how to cooperate, how to work together.

I have all the admiration for the Greeks’ patriotism, but not for their ignorance in economic and social problems. I could excuse them, thinking that, after independence, they did not have an intellectual elite, able to educate people. The capital of Ottoman Empire was Istanbul. The ancient cities Sparta and Athens were archaeological relics. Sparta is a village just today. In Thessalonik, the second city by size of Greece, due to the policy of the Turks of keeping the Greeks at suburban level and after the exodus of the Jews from Spain, on to 1500^th were brought more than 20,000 Sephardic Jews. In a statistics of 1519, the number of Jews was 15,715, representing 54% from the population of the city. In the meantime, they are gone. The town still has a significant percentage of Turks. Athens, instead, in its new role as capital of an independent state, had a development as fast, as chaotic. Its population represents today a third part of the population of the entire country. More than one million came from Turkey, through the exchanges of population; they were extremely poor and lake of education. Some others came later from the former U.S.S.R. The rest are countrymen, came from Epir, Peloponez etc., and from islands.

A blanket of intellectuals was formed, of course, but the most people have become city dwellers without have had a tradition in this respect, without a cultural base.

On the other hand, the competitive mentality, that seems to characterize the Greeks and that perhaps explains the successes of the ancients in philosophy, is a disadvantage today when modern society is based on collaboration, working in team. In German universities, an opposed example, the students perform projects in teams, each of them carrying a part of the project. The parties must assemble correctly, so that each student must know the whole, to collaborate with colleagues and deepen his side of the project. What do the Greeks? After each win, the politic leaders quarrelled between them, causing higher damages than the enemies from outside. They became, instead, experts in handling population in their interest and not in real benefits to the nation. It is so they have today communists of a surprising ignorance. Funny is that small politicians of café hope in American support - the country where Communism is sentenced more than anywhere else - while Europe means to them Germany to which they have resentments and accuse it for all the evils that are happening, as if Germany would be guilty for the poor organization of Greece, instead to learn from the Germans what means a good organization. Prospects for the future? Sombre!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Today and tomorrow, the days will be equal each other. At least of astronomical terms. It is so because winter solstice will be this night. After it, several seconds will be added to each day. It seems tiny these seconds, but together they make the difference. Now, in Athens, day is longer than in Romania with almost an hour. In summer, it will be reversed: in Romania the days will be longer than in Greece. Still, in Greece will be warmer.

Why one speech about the length of a day and not about its height? Or thick? No, not thick; it would not be nice, but I like the height of the day.

* * *

I read somewhere that in Finland, according with a law from 1600, the illiterates are not allowed to make children. If all the people vote, at least the name of the chosen ones must be able to read. I don't know if it is true or not. Theoretically, the Greeks are not illiterate, but not very far from this status. It is true, the alphabet makes the access harder. A few are those who know how to write correctly, and correctness is relative, because in philology, as everywhere, the specialists cannot reach an agreement. The spirit of Fronde, present in any area, is manifest here too. I am not in the position to say what should be done, but I can see this situation, by simply reading the manuals of Greek language and even of some dictionaries: the orthography of some words differs from one dictionary to another. Of course, every author claims that he holds the truth. How about the language spoken by the population . . .

Without being an expert, throwing a look no matter how superficial on the language and Greek orthography, the both of them seem to be archaic. The so-called “the new Greek language” (τα νέα ελληνικά) is not new at all. In any language, the usual verbs, being inherited, are irregular, while the most others shall be subject to modern grammar rules. Is evidence that the languages become more rational, grammar more structured, more logical. In Geek the number of exceptions is overwhelming. There are many variants for the same thing in dictionaries and still much more in spoken language.

With regard to the difficulties, there are, for example, at least five ways to write the sound "i", which make heavier the searching in dictionaries. There is not, instead, a letter for "b", and some letters change the phonetic value, depending on the following letter. Because of the alphabet, some letters can be confused, not being sufficiently differentiated. On a statue, for example, I found four almost identical signs one after another, with the Δ shape, but that should be read as Α (alpha), Δ (delta) and Λ (lambda). As for the writing by hand, it could be read only by the author. In this way, the access of common people to the values of the modern world is more difficult.

As for me, I learned the names of all tram station from the centre of Athens and up to the shore of Aegean Sea, but do not know their meanings.

Due to disagreements between philologists, the situation does not improve. As the Greek language is not modernized, is explainable through the history of this nation. The excessive traditionalism of nowadays scholars is not, however, the most intelligent way to forward. Sooner or later, they will have to adopt radical measures.

* *

*

Independent of the Greek language, I think that, in the future, people will renounce to the current writing - phonetics and dependent on the language – and it will adopt an ideographic writing, based on symbols of things, actions, ideas etc. Being independent by the language, such writing has the huge advantage of the internationalism. Every person would be able to understand it, no matter of his nationality. Their acceptance will be facilitated by the fact that modern languages are better structured then the old ones. The engine of this change will probably be the communication by electronic means and the Internet.

* *

*

The Greeks are conceited and think to be cunning, especially when their culture is precarious. They think they are the ones who play the world on fingers. Obviously, it's deceiving. Despite of the spectacular evolution in recent times, with the anarchist trends of today, the future seems to be not at all favourable for them.

Civility? Greek women give up their seat to the disabled or elder persons. Men never would do it. I witnessed scenes in which men still in power have raised younger women to take their places. Yesterday, a disabled woman called a seat of another woman, although closer to her there were two boys of 20-25 years of age who did not care about it.

The word 'polite' comes from the Greek 'poly' (city) and indicates how a person's attitude toward other person should be. I do not know if the Greeks invented it, or other people did it later, like the newer ‘Cybernetics’, in which they used the older Greeks vocabulary. Surely, the word is known by some of the Greeks of today, though most of them make you the room to pass through a narrow space only after you push him.

The word 'civilized' comes from Latin 'civis' (citizen) or more specifically from 'civitas' (city). It indicates a person's behaviour face to all the other persons, whom he does not want to disturb. Unfortunately, many people think that civilized is those who use sophisticated devices. My neighbour has a powerful TV set and disturb me sometime. Is it civilised? Of course, not!

The Romans have appreciated the Greeks; however; the reciprocal assertion is not true. Greece was an occupied country and it was natural that its inhabitants not to love the occupiers. It is why they have not appropriated the word invented by them.

European civilization has left from Greece; unfortunately, it has not left much in the space of origin.

On the other hand, their patriotism may saves them. Anywhere in the world the Greek would be, he remains Greek and, unlike the Romanians, he is proud of his origins and wants to attract the others’ attention to their characteristics. It is so that, when the time is favourable, he mobilizes and the progress is impressive.

* *

*

To conclude on a more optimistic note, here is a funny observation: the word 'garsoniera' (studio flat) is identical both in Greek, Romanian and other languages. It comes from French, where 'garson' means boy. It appears that only boys live there.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

I sometime was accusing the Greek men to be lazy. It is true, but not entirely; there are also some very hardworking. On several streets of the city, they organise weekly markets with herbs, vegetables, fruits and so on, where producers unfold their products. Of course, not all are really producers, but intermediaries, but prices are lower than in stores, the products are fresh and you may choose what you want by yourself.

They are called “laϊkí agorá", which means ‘folk market’. The work begins in the morning and ends at 16 o’clock. The next day, there is not a trace of the market; the street is as clean as a normal one. During these days, however, on the street, there are no cars, stalls are stringed on both sides, and the space between them is so crowded that you hardly can walk. The noise is incredible, because the most sellers do advertise of their products with voices of trumpet. And do not cease a moment. Well, these people need to mount and dismantle the stalls, to expose the product, to gather what was not sold and to carry everything home or in a deposit. Many of them will resume the working the next day, in another market. There is need of much will and energy for an activity so intense; a few people have such resources.

* *

*

Less than a hundred metres from our house, the sidewalk of the street stretches a little and creates enough space for two benches. Behind, there are some trees, so the place is excellent for rest or reading.

A little further, there are many places of relaxation, inside or outside of parks. I do not think if I must talk about parks or a single one, fragmented by some streets. In fact, it is not important. You just need good legs, because everything is on downhill, sometimes very sharp.

* *

*

I was walking with my wife on a street in Athens. At a narrow place, a young cute young lady granted us priority, we being much older than she. We make sign her to pass first; maybe she was in a hurry; we were just walking. The entire scene lasted no more than three seconds. Enough for a "gentleman" of 25-30 years old to take the opportunity and move among us. The happening is almost characteristic for the psychology and education of Greeks from today. Who said that Greece is a country of contrast does not know how right it was.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Buses and trolley buses are very good and, more importantly, exceptionally maintained. It is strict necessarily through the crowded streets of Athens. Besides, the slopes are incredible, there are cars on the both sizes, and so the traffic is very difficult.

I found out with the help of the Internet that buses are manufactured in Poland. The firm, called "Solaris Bus & Coach", has its headquartered in Bolechów near Poznan, produces only since 1996, but had a fast development, due to the quality of production. It is a family-owned company; Solange and Krzysztof Olszewscy are its owners. I assume that the license was purchased or they are in a combination. Because the buses are called "Solaris Urbino", I thought that the Italian city could have a connection with it. I know that Raphael and Pope Clement XI were born there, that the town had a important role during the Italian Renaissance, but I don't know to have any connection with the manufacture of buses. Maybe the idea of urban has suggested them the term "urbino". Regardless it would be, I can only to admire them for what they have accomplished. Here's that it is possible. In Poland.

Returning to the streets of Athens, almost overall there are cars parked on both sides of the roadway. Excepted are only the major boulevards and only in the downtown area. A good position, in the vicinity of the house, is not abandoned but for some important needs; otherwise the car stay there day after day. Consequently, it is hard to find a place for parking, even at the periphery.

Motorists must drive extremely prudent in narrow available lane and, from where, something could occur at any time. Acts of bravery, as well as speed mania are excluded. Motorcyclists, instead, are to be admired for equilibristic what they do among the cars.

In my view, in modern cities it would be prohibit building apartments at the ground floor. They are unhealthy and, in addition, the space would be better exploited by pedestrian zones, shops, garages, etc.

* *

*

Yesterday I saw for the first time laundry stretched out to dry on the balcony on the first floor of a house with three floors. The landscape was unique; in thousands of balconies under which I passed so far, I did not seen than flowers and, possibly, a small table with one or two chairs. In the back of most apartments there is a balcony, where people can carry out household activities, including dry washed laundry. The mystery of that balcony was raised immediately: a mother called her child; she was not Greek. Of course, she is not guilty; she has not another possibility. The owner’s avarice made him to rent a space inadequate for a family.

Speaking about the flowers. Perhaps the rocky and dry landscape has stimulated the Greeks concern for vegetation. I nowhere saw so much vegetation in a city. Almost all balconies have flowers, bushes and even some small shrubs. Trees are to find on most streets. It seems that the heat of summer is not favourable for many of the flowers. But now, in December, their flavour is a true spectacle, and the contrast with the intense green of the leaves makes it even more beauty.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

After two wet days and one with a true thunder-rain, the vegetation reborn, as it does in the spring. Even the hills, which point the Athenian landscape, are green now. I was used with their grey-violet colour, characteristic for semi-desert areas. The raw-green that it has got now surprise me and gives the feeling I am elsewhere or in another season and not in Athens, on Christmas Eve. The bushes in front of the houses have flourished again. And there are many!

In front of the building across the street, a rose penetrated among the mandarins. It is not a trick; just a happy random. A shrub, planted under the tree, put forth a branch up to the height of the crown. My wife said that the
mandarin tree has put a rose in its hair.

The streets are full here of mandarins, oranges, lemons, so that their association is not even a surprise. I took the photo in the evening, with the flash, in order to focus the light on the subject and not on the building behind; the evening is part of the day, eh?

On some streets with little traffic, the border of the sidewalk has been erected with 50-70 cm, they brought earth and vegetation, including trees. They renounced to one of the sidewalks.

Hot summer weather likely was at the basis of this true worship of natives for vegetation. Let’s not forget that, on the flag the majority of Arab countries, the green colour is predominant, as evidence of their willingness to what, naturally, miss from their landscapes. But here, city on the rocks is now full with vegetation.

This is winter in Athens".

Sunday, December 25, 2011

There is not a Christmas tree.

It is a tree on a street in Christmas Eve.

Its flowers are yellow.

Last night, on Christmas Eve, I saw at the TV a show given by a Russian male choir, with soloists and Orchestra. Good show, excellent interpreters. All were dressed in Soviet military clothes. Both the beginning and the end were marked by the anthem of the former U.S.S.R.

I stopped on this programme, because, opening the TV set, they was singing "Va, pensiero" (Chorus of the Hebrew Slave) from "Nabucco” by Verdi. They have continued with the most known popular Russian songs, like Kalinka, excellent interpreted, but also with some other from international repertoire of the large circulation ("O sole mio" etc.), less felt by the soloists, the majority elder enough.

In the meantime, I searched on the Internet and I found multiple records on "YouTube" where I recognized them. What surprised me was its title: "Red Army Choir". Under this logo and flag, they may operate in every corner of the world, as representatives of the red colour. Red as blood! I did not know the Greeks to be hungry of blood. Why they support this propaganda? I do not know and I would like not to learn.

Last night also I saw as well another show, this time a Greek one, with an orchestra of professionals, a chorus of children and soloists, including children. Greek music hundred percent! I was surprised by the children’s endurance; they stayed on stage more than two hours – maybe with a break in the middle – and remained active to the end in all the songs. The songs were also very well. This time, I was entirely satisfied.

Because I do not understand Greek language, I watch the TV shows and music. I am particularly interested in Greek music and I must confess that its variety and originality is impressive. Here is a people who has kept almost unspoiled its preferences. They managed this, because they are patriots, but also because they cultivated their music. There are numerous shows, with many professional performers, but also with equally many children, connoisseurs of the numerous songs. They interpret perfectly, sometimes without conductor, although the assembly is quite large. Composers-performers are also numerous, some very talented and – especially – original. Soloists singing with accompaniment – pre-recorded - common in Romania – I do not remember to ever seen here.

The Balkan Peninsula was not a space conducive to movement - due to the mountains – but very good for hiding. This, perhaps, explains the specific of different ethnicities, but also their disputes. Karst regions have allowed the formation of separate ethnic entities on small territories.

There is no much rift between popular music, classical and light.

Many of their shows, maybe the best, are made in the form of a common table, with the occasion of celebrating an event, or just simulating one. Anyway, there always is a central character. The table companions are singers, artists, composers, dancers, in number of 20-30. All the participants, one after another, come forward and interpret one-or-two songs. The shows last several hours, during which they sing dozens of songs. Not only the soloist, but all participants know perfectly the compositions, including words. They sing along the soloist. Because they are Greeks, between songs, they must speak, sometimes even too much. I don't know what they say, but the atmosphere is cheerful.

Munday, December 26, 2011

It is said that, in Byzantine iconography, the characters are styled after certain rules, with the aim of suggesting to the viewer a religious subject and not a portrait, more or less good, of certain persons. It is true and not too.

Byzantine iconography is Greek. The long and thin nose is not a stylisation, but a faithful rendering of the characteristic feature of Greek women. If the ancients have sought the perfect model from aesthetical point of view, eluding the reality, the Byzantines rendered the reality as it is. As the Italians have forgotten classical Latin and had adopted the vulgar language, becoming now the Italian language, used by everyone regardless of the cultural degree, the Greeks have given up looking for aesthetic ideal solutions, and have rendered with their skill real human faces. The both of them, with the elites liquidated by the barbarians were restored spiritually, starting from zero.

Orthodox religious music is on the same coordinates. It is to be found in some popular sad Greek songs, sung even today.

I would say that what has happened to the Greeks can be taken as an example of failure in provincialism, because, for almost two millennia, they did not have a capital. Passing over the stupid arrogance of those who use it, the pejorative meaning of the term 'provincial' and its derivatives, though positive in the past, has today a significance well specified: a weak adaptation to the requirements of the modern world, awkwardness, naiveté. Romania has a capital, but felt into the provincialism, after the Soviets beheaded its intelligentsia. Interesting is that the original Latin word was designating something of good quality, because the products coming in Rome from the provinces were well selected, unlike the improvisations of local craftsmen.

* *

*

First, it seemed that the Greeks do not grant too high importance to the Christmas, but prepare themselves more for the New Year, instead. I received even an explanation. Many of our Christmas customs are of Germanic origin, which the Greeks reject vehemently. This does not mean that they do not grant importance to Christmas. The true is that enjoy, occasioned by the New Year, is much greater. In this period, on the front of some buildings, they have put big dolls suggesting a Santa Claus climbing to bring gifts to the children.

* *

*

In Greece, I expected to eat fish and mutton. Pig is not recommended in areas with warm climate. I like fish; sheep do not dislike me, but I would not support it more than once a week. The reality is not only different, but almost the opposite. Fresh fish is rare and very expensive. In addition, I am not always sure that it is truly fresh and not just freshly thawed. Sheep – it is right that I was not looking for it - but it neither jumped in my eyes. About pork instead, you can say that is found on all roads, because the smell of barbecue feels on most streets at evening time. Obviously there are lots in stores. I could look for a cause, but it means to enter the politics again and it already annoys me, so I abandon the subject. It seems that Greeks, since they prosper without limit, they neglect their own interest. I no longer wonder for the great number of over-obese people.

It is true that Greek population lived in hard conditions in the past. Now, some Greek women, after they known the welfare as a result the aids from abroad, cannot pull along their own ass so fat that it is.

* *

*

It is a rarity when, in the sky of Athens, a cloud appears. Even though in close Europe's areas it rained just abundant, in Attic Peninsula, particularly its southern part, the sun shines almost uninterrupted. But behold, the unpredictable happened; I thought that, within half an hour, it would rain. But several hours passed and the cloud was still there, close to the sun, but not covering it. The sun moved across the sky as if he wanted to hide behind the cloud, but failed, because the cloud retired with the same speed. At dusk they both disappeared; it was not about to rain.

I think that such phenomena have influenced the mentality of its inhabitants: they are confident in their fate. Even if those around Athens suffer of some troubles, they know they are protected and nothing unpleasant will happen to them. Some of them are more than confident; Thy give themselves airs.

* *

*

About Greeks, only good things, isn't it? I mean about the ones of the ancient times. About those closer to our days Radu Rosetti gives us a picture, speaking of his own grandmother, Italian at origin, but grown up in Phanar: “…, the grandmother was raised in Fanar, i.e. in one of the finest centres in the world, where, the education first imprints in children minds two axioms: first, he must mightily avoid to let out his thought, but on the contrary, to hide it with the utmost care; second, that only through indirect ways one surely gets to the aim. A centre, where, as a child, he has got to use the lie as main weapon for both defence and aggression, a centre that was the truest and unsurpassed Academy of Plot.” (Radu Rosetti, Memories, vol. I, pages 47-48)

Still, I must notice that, during the centuries, Greek people gave lots of scholars, who educated the whole Europe. It was happened in the past. Gaining their independence, people removed his own intellectual elite, considering them had made a covenant with Turks. In this way, civilisation started from Greece, bun did not let more in the place of origin. What could we say about the people of today? I have talked already enough about them; besides, I am subjective, so I am stopping now. Just a short remark: the nowadays inhabitants of Athens are survivors of some shepherds without sheep and fishermen who abandoned their handicraft. Most of them are ignorant. Of course, not all of them. The number of bookshop, stalls and booths selling books are impressive, proving that people read. The Greeks started with Athens and failed with Helen, but the war is not lost yet.

Tuesday, December 27, 2012-06-12

It is raining today, so I look at the photos I have took at Vouliagmenis some days ago.

It is beyond the Voula. It can be considered a district of Athens, like Glifada and the others on the Aegean coast, or a separate town. No matter whose administration it belongs to, I like more than the other.

The place is more elegant, has a better beach and the coastline is more wild. I find that Glifada is overrated due to its shops. As this feature does not enjoy me, I appreciate more the elegance of construction and the scenic landscape of the other.

Vouliagmenis is among them.

* *

*

Idle thought

Before the advent of money, trade was done by barter. In the Roman Empire, since cattle were the largest intermediate value, the expression "pecunia” appeared, derived from "pecus" (cattle). From here, the English term “pecuniary”, taken in all Latin languages as well.

Later, the copper was used, weighed on the market first, at the time of the exchange, and subsequently in the form of ingots, guaranteed by the state. They had represented in relief an animal or just heads of steer or sheep, remnant of the time when cattle was the standard.

The idea has not been lost altogether; today as well, on coins and banknotes appears some heads.

* *

*

In my correspondence with a friend, I was asked to write about how the Greeks see their current economic situation. With an apology for repeating some ideas, here is an extract from my answer, perhaps more concise.

About Greeks one can write in many ways; their behaviour is full with contradictions. The explanation can be found in their recent history, and their example is perfect for a psycho-social study of manipulation the masses. They were not communists before the 2nd World War. Are neither today, but can be handled. During the Ottoman occupation, the capital was at Istanbul. All Greek intellectual and elite used to live there. The population on the present territory of Greece was kept in ignorance. Although some intellectuals were patriots, during the War of Independence the revolutionaries considered them to be profiteers and traitors to the nation. I have all the admiration for the Greek patriotism, but cannot extend the admiration to other areas. During the 2nd World War, they had a strong partisan movement, subsidized by English and Soviets. At the end of the war, however, the true Greek’s behaviour was seen: the chiefs of the groups of partisans did not understand each other; each of them wanted to be the only head. So the Civil War began. It was again subsidised by the British and Soviets. Because the great powers (through Churchill and Stalin) agreed to divide Europe in the zone of influence with Greece in western part, England made it official. The Russians, on the other hand, with characteristic perfidy, have made it through the former Yugoslavia. They organized training camps there and were sending weapons. The military situation oscillated, depending on the subsidies, until US intervened and acted more decided. Stalin gave up, especially after he fallen out with Tito. Only then the Civil War ended. it began a period of prosperity for Greece, which seemed no longer to finish. The new intellectuals were taught to a large extent in the West, where they learned how to get rich. The Russians have not renounced and continued to influence the modern forms. The Greek Communist Party, K.K.E., is a child of the former P.C.U.S. The old Russian goal to reach the Mediterranean Sea does not sunset. Also, the "containment" policy, proposed by George f. Kennan and accepted by Truman, has not been forgotten, Greece continues to be helped, what does not than to worsen the situation. It seems that nothing can be more harmful than the help. In these circumstances, the ordinary Greek was taught to be lazy. Protest movements have as the unique objective the anarchy. The slogan "Global Civil War" is more and more frequent. Their civil was not enough; they want a global one.

Their opinions of today regard getting out of crisis varies between being exempt from the debt and possibly further receiving loans, or quitting to occidental support and receipt of aid from Russia or China. I have not heard anyone saying that they, the Greeks, should do something for economic growth or something similar. Foreign aid is the only alternative in their minds, and the only problem is: from where?.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Eventually, what was inevitable happened: from the queue at which we stayed at the Tax Agency I got flu. It was expected. Among many people waiting like me in a low-airflow room, a single ill person was enough to contaminate the others, and I was the first. It began with a mild sore in the throat, continued with a catarrh and finally to cough after all the rules, namely as it is usual to me in last years. In almost every fall and spring I got flu, and that is the main reason why I came in Greece: to get rid of the cold and wet climate in Brasov. Behold, it was not enough. The truth is that I did not took advantage yet of Athens climate, because I came too late, when the weather was already cold. The natives have benefited from warm of summer and have accumulated health, becoming thus more resistant.

A bad luck never comes single, so I transmitted the flu to my wife. Now she is in the stage of dry cough. And because every cake should have a cherry, the flat is cold. Although the building has central heating, the owner gives heat only in the evenings. Now at 7.34 am, are 5 Celsius degrees outside and not much more inside. Generally, it is warmer than at Brasov with 10, sometimes-even 15 degrees, but that does not mean it is really warm. We started an electric radiator, which will heat up us until the sun will make its duty and the temperature will reach up 14 degrees, according to the weather forecast.

Of course, I cannot avoid thinking to the Greeks’ mentality and grumble them. From avarice, they make houses with bad thermal insulation, try to save fuel, and spoil all they have accumulated as health during the summer. Their luck is that the warm season comes again soon enough.

Difficult living conditions oblige people to take appropriate measures to adapt. I'm now thinking to the solutions adopted in the fight against cold. The Germans say that there is not bad weather, but inappropriate clothing. With clothes, they are right. As regards of weather, it remains bad or good, no matter what clothe we have. That's why I was always jealous to those living in warmer areas, because they may wear light clothes. I am now in Athens and note that people from here do not know to enjoy of natural advantages. Gentler climate has made them to not take seriously the cold and are not convinced of the necessity to protect against it. As a consequence, they are just as sick as those from zones with climate rougher. You can see it on the street: many elderly women have sequels of rickets, suffering from rheumatism, deformed feet and bunions and a lot of other afflictions. Women are particularly affected, because they stay longer in the house, while men rub the “komboloi” (a string of balls) on the street or play backgammon in taverns.

As regards the house, from avarice, they think to save money with the building, but spend more for heating during the entire existence of the building. But, as the niggardliness continue, they make economy for heating, and the list of expenses grows with the value of medicines, which is much greater and they repair only partial the damages.

Now there are solar installations for heating. Unfortunately, a few people use them, for the same reason: the avarice; they need a small investment, even the sun from here would make them particularly advantageous.

The concern for carpets was predictable in the Middle East; they had to lay something on the ground. In Europe, the wood is traditionally used as floor, but it lacked to the Persians. That’s why their carpets are better and nicer than in other places and have a proper name: Persian carpets. Although the Greeks were neighbours with the Persians and the European people, they do use neither wood nor carpets. This is still a mystery to me. In their buildings the Greeks use marble for the floor, which exists in abundance, so that is a great problem. On the contrary, it is – maybe – the cheapest solution. But the marble is cold. Thick carpets of wool were therefore the ideal solution for solving thermal isolation. I do not want to accuse Greeks, assuming they did it out of vanity. During the summer months they complain by the heat. But in winter? During the winters, they wait to pass. The same with the work: generally, they have little disposition to work but, when they feel like working (rarely), they wait to pass. Who said "God, give to people mind!" intuits just a half-truth, because he forgot to say what to do with it.

I thought that Greeks are clever! With a minimal effort, they would had been able to create excellent conditions, but . . .

For now, I have a better idea: stop writing and do some gymnastics to heat myself.

* *

*

In a small album with photocopies of my paintings, I slipped two abstract paintings, signed by famous painters. Of course, I have chosen some less known, even if they had been sold at the prestigious homes of auction with values that were much more than $ 50 million. Not only that nobody recognized them, but some even asked me: why do you have painted such a thing without sense?

Thursday, December 29, 2011

In archaic statuette, discovered anywhere in the world, either on the territory of Romania, on that of India or the Americas, the women are represented by the lower part of the body outsized. I thought for a long time that it was the taste of the artists; the representations of those times have a strong symbolic character, and women’s body must to play the idea of maternity. I still think in this assumption.

Since I am in Greece, I found that very many women here have this feature.

What has attracted my attention now is the finding that, despite of the vicissitudes, the Greeks kept some of their old traits. And I do not mean to the physical ones, which are in the preoccupations of the specialists in physical anthropology. The cultural ones are more comprehensible to me. Apparently, they freelance passed from an epoch in another with speed and assimilating the transformations with persuasion.

The most relevant passage is of religious order, from Mythology to Christianity. They did not hesitate to use the marble of temples for housing, and the statues by Fidias and of the others were sold for small amounts. One said that Venus was acquired with 300 francs from a peasant, glad to rid of her, because it was incommoding him in the yard, after he changed the destination of the old temple in housing.

But the changes were not so surprising how they seem to be at first sight. From the common people, the inclination of destruction, when the former leadership disappeared is expected. We know it even in the modern era. In Romania, the peasants destroyed all logistics of the former agricultural enterprises and cooperatives, after those units were dissolved in 1989. And Greece has been devoid of leadership nearly two millennia. Its intellectuals worked abroad, in Istanbul, Vienna, even in Bucharest. Greek peasant became townsmen with what was closer to their feeling and understanding. If the ancients had concerns high aesthetic, the Byzantines introduced secularism in art. It is said that Byzantine Empire was influenced by the Near East. Maybe in politics and moral; not in art! The art of Near Eastern is geometric. It has no connection with the painting and architecture Byzantine.

As for the Christianity, let us not forget that, into a large extent, it is in Greece its philosophical origin. And if Mythology provided topics for debates for the wise and moral law for common people, Christianity is not too much far away. And let us not forget also that the spark of the War of Independence started in a monastery, from the middle of the mountains. In what it for the Greeks, even the most ignorant of them, are today among the most talkative people that I have known, and in their disputes argues their beliefs as vehemently as they are less founded.

Friday, December 30, 2011

In Bucharest, on 30 December 1947, communist military units surrounded the Royal Palace, disarmed the Royal Guard and the King Michael forced to abdicate. In this way, the kingdom of Romania was turned into Romanian People's Republic, a sort of a colony of the former U.S.S.R. Soviet Army was still occupying the Romanian territory. Otherwise, the process had began on 23 august 1944, when the same King Michael ordered the exit from the war against the U.S.S.R, leaving on the front 21 divisions without leadership. For Soviet Army, the war did not stop but several weeks later; in the meantime, they killed all they met ahead and taken over 130,000 prisoners; many of them never returned.

The Greeks removed their kings too, even several times, but not leave the country in the hands of invaders. That's right, they had on their side the support of western countries. Here, the geographical position has advantaged Greece. They hope today it will happen the same. It is not war now, but what is the difference between a war with weapons and a economic one? How many chances still exist for Greece to receive help from occidental countries? Hard to know!

Today, K.K.E. has few representatives in Parliament, which proves that, at the previous elections, population had not loved it too much, but it is extremely active in the street. Very soon, the situation may change. The financial difficulties annoy the population, the Government solutions are economically ineffective, so that all those with modest incomes blame the political parties in power and occidental countries of their troubles. Consequently, the increasing of the share of K.K.E. in Parliament is inevitable; instead, the parties in power today but in opposition in the future will not be equally effective in the street as the communists are now.

It is to be assumed that the West will wake up. Always it did! And - as always – too late! Then, it will find a Greece with a population indoctrinated with communist ideas, hostile to any rational suggestions coming from outside. It is expected to happen so, and the financial difficulties aggravate the situation and hasten the worse of the mentalities.

That's right, both right and left forces must exist in any society, their equality being a condition for keeping social balance. As any living organism, the fight of contraries is the engine of life and the will its fuel. Imbalance of forces may cause self-destruction.

Aristotle classifies the forms of governance according with two criteria: the number of those who govern and the morality of the government, the latter being in the general interest, or in self-interest. He distinguishes three basic shapes: monarchy, aristocracy and policy. The most intelligent seems to be the policy; the term comes from "πολύ", which means the city and suggests the idea that the leaders are striving to deal with the affairs of the city in the most advantageous way for its inhabitants. Aristotle, however, draws our attention that none of those three forms could be perfect and, over time, they degenerate into tyranny, oligarchy and democracy. (Note that democracy is a degenerated form.) Any society changes the 3 + 3 forms of governance cyclically.

Of course, we can discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of each of the forms of governance, but it is not the case here. I just mention that, whatever the form would be, the society can progress only under conditions of stability. Therefore, the balance of forces is strictly necessary.

The particularity of human society is the fighting of ideas. Some of their followers radicalise them and the debates became disputes. They are either of left or right. The society, however, may not be of extreme left or right. Such countries cannot exist in real world; they are utopias. Left or right are trends, not states. The word utopia belongs to Thomas Moore, with his island "Utopia" and want to specify that such a thing does not exist. It was a relative new idea in 1516, and it might remain so. But Sir Francis Bacon continued in its "Nova Atlantis", in 1624. As for Campanella, although he wrote "La Città del Sole” in 1602, he did not succeed to publish it in Italy, but he managed better in Frankfurt, with Latin version. It seems the Germans were having since then Marxist visions. We keep silence on Sir Francis Bacon, with his "Nova Atlantis"; I thought he was a serious man, a scientist. It seemed that the world became calm. Or maybe I am not sufficiently informed. But, behold, after a quarter of millennium, appears in all the light, the unprecedented, the unparalleled Karl Marx and launches his "Capital", which few people have read, but many evoke it when they want to support their ineptitudes.

That is why people must have freedom to uphold their convictions in constructive debates. K.K.E. is, unfortunately, more an agency of propaganda than a political party. To honour its pretension of politic party, it should renounce of anarchism and to propose realistic political solutions, for the straightening of the society and not for self-destruction.

Being a living organism, the society regulates itself. Therefore, when one of the forces imposes its point of view, the other tried to do the same; consequently, social tensions increases. As the imbalance is stronger, the restore of the society will be achieved with tougher means.

Everyone knows this. And though . . .

Saturday 31 December 2011

The year ends. It was one dedicated to Greece, almost from all points of view. It started with the decision to seek a solution for spending the wet and cold season from Brasov in a space with better climate. We have fixed over Greece, for the reasons of the distance, (Spain, for example, would have been much far away), but also, perhaps, for sentimental reasons, about which I was less aware. It followed with a first exploratory trip, continued with the documentation at home. It was only in the autumn, unfortunately a little later, in September, when I leaved to look for renting an apartment to live in. The person in whom I hope to have support did not help me. Alone, the Internet has truly used. From the second half of October, we are both here, in Athens. We hope that, in the next year, to stand here mostly to year, except summer season, torrid in the Attic.

When I wrote that the whole year was dedicated to Greece, I referred to the fact that what I painted and writing was also in connection with Greece.

It happens that, at certain moments of our lives, we have to recognize the defeat. For events, people, not does it matter who or what! I cannot say that 2011 has been a year of defeats; on the contrary, I consider the results as positive, with all the ups and downs inherent in life. Finally, I appreciate that the decision to rent an apartment in Athens was a good one, with all the risk of such "adventure" over seventy years old: the climate is good, the sea close by, excellent food, and more others. So far, we did a ride of a couple of hours almost every day, not only to visit famous places but simply to move. And each ride, even through known placed, has provided us with at least a pleasant surprise.

Successes or failures, as everything must have a cause we search it in the past, closer or farther. Since any decision is taken within a complex of circumstances, in the balance of the arguments are not only the advantages and the disadvantages, but also our principles of life.

Our neighbour lady will probably leave. Finally, we will have silence. In the last time, she was single, without children. We hope to move into her place, as that suite is better.

Unrelated to the topic, but related with the principles of life, I remember a co-worker, electronics engineer, envious of a TVs repairman, for his incomes, much higher than that of my co-worker. I asked him why he did not repaired TVs, because he known to do it even better. I knew his answer and was expecting for it. At that time, the TV sets used to broke down very often, customers were easily deceived, what the repairer in question even done. My colleague response that he did not suited for such "strategy". In this case, I said, do not envy him. He is not ashamed of what he does. Neither the thieves from pockets do not have any problems in this regard, not to talk about the lawyers concerned to collect as much money from their customers temporising the correct judgement of the trials, which is a theft, even more. Your principles of life are different. Keep your dignity and be thankful with what you chosen to be.

But, I fell too low. To restore the balance, I think now to Socrates. He chose to drink hemlock. Where he was wrong? But was he wrong? Was there the consequence of the recognition of losses? Emphatically, no! Incidentally, he proceeded by the same way in the whole his life, choosing to make philosophy – unpleasant profession for many people – instead of a more profitable business, certainly more easy and without having to make many enemies.

Now I have climbed too high. Let’s recognize that, at any level, we build our lives on principles. No matter what they are. Happy is the one who follow them. We propos to ourselves a specific profile, a certain conduct, which involves not only the adoption of some alternatives, but also to give up of others. The only condition is to be consequent them and not envy the others because they do what we do not want to do.

Unfortunately, some principles could be wrong. Here's an example picked from the book "Cordial Polemics" by Octavian Paler. Four monks were in a room, where a power outage occurred. They have started to pray to God to make light. Three of them concluded prayer without that something would happen. The fourth, while he was praying, repaired the damage. He completed his prayer only when light was lit. How we characterize them? The first three, though naive, remained devoted to their principles. Should we appreciate their consistency? Let’s consider that the compliance of principles is wrong?

* * *

"He reached at seventy-one – seventy-two years old. In recent years, especially, he enriched his knowledge.

But, in fact, no one learned it. He does not want to confide to anyone. That’s why he writes so little and talks even less. He understand, understand more and more. More and more he immerse in the essence of knowledge. As an old sailing ship, abandoned, which, stopped in the endless of the ocean, immerse moreover, filling with saltwater, until, at one time, disappears forever with a gently rippling."

I do not write this text. It belongs to Constantine Tsatsos (“Aphorisms and reflexions”, page 145). He was the President of Greece. He had been also a lawyer, politician and writer. Why I reproduced this text? Has any relation to me? Firstly, I have already seventy-five years, what means that I had sank long ago. On the other hand, even if a lot of water enters in me, I feel that it still enter and might enter even more. It is also true that much more water, entered in the past, has left me. It is a pity, but I enjoy that every drop of fresh water compensates the loss. Perhaps I did not sink in a sea (not the case of an ocean), but in flowing water, a large river or maybe a very small one. In this case, everything is explainable. As far as I concerned, consider fresh water a delight, what gives me feeling alive, although not everything flowing beside me I like.

Yes, at seventy-five years, I am like a sunken sailing ship, at least from the point of views of those who are still floating. Each one at his time! I am no longer useful, but it does not dislike me. Sometimes, the searchers have found on the bottom of seas and oceans things pretty interesting. This happens with large sailing ships. The small ones, like me, submerged in flowing waters, are dismantled faster, so that there is nothing to be found at the place of the sinking. However, some parts are more resistant, water carries them and finally they reach in the sea as well.

But, this is not what concerns me now. Fresh water is the only one that matters. It is like a drunkenness, from which I cannot refrain.

A HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!