Greece Travel Day

Images: Group Shot of the "Indian Bikers" (South Italy) as they coalesce outside the ferry; Bikers exiting the ferry

We took the ferry last night from Italy to Greece, arriving in Patra after an overnight sail. Our cabin was small, but comfortable. It was an interesting evening as we were accompanied by 2oo Harley Davidsons belonging to the "Indian Bikers" (none of whom were riding Indians???)
We arrived with all of our luggage, now on foot, having said goodbye to "The Bus" and having to pay an extra 118 Euros for being 4 hours late!
The plan was to take an express bus from Patra to Athens, and then take the subway (Metro) to Piraeus. Remember all that you've been reading about the financial troubles, the strikes, the unemployment, the strikes, ....the strikes??!! Yep, you guessed it. No trains, no buses and no ferries.
We paid over $300 for a taxi that took us all the way here, straight to our hotel. It was almost worth it as we met a great Greek taxi driver named George. We finally got a chance to sit back and enjoy the ride in his new Mercedes, had a nice lunch with George - he paid for it, as he could now afford anything on the menu. Souvlaki and the best Greek salad we have ever tasted, with fantastic feta cheese, olives, tomatoes, and of course, olive oil.

The situation here in Greece is very sad. The Greek people themselves want to work, want to turn things around, but they keep hurting each other and being hurt by the government. The hotel owner was trying to explain to me how much it cost him every time there was a general strike and people had to cancel. Strikes are just as expected and accepted, as the weather; some days OK, some days, not so much. The taxes keep punching the workers and the businesses like they were a boxer on wobbly knees and the government was doing the good 'ol "Rope-a Dope".

Tomorrow, God willing and the river don't rise, the strikers will be back to work and we will be on our way to Naxos.