It is very sad that the E U clearly want to teach Greece a lesson. Sadder still that the calls for austerity appear to be led by Germany. A couple of generations have gone by since the post W W I I days when the Americans suggested it might be in everyone's interest if Greece forgave Germany their huge debts, so as to allow Germany to move forward, and to develop it's economy.
This was quite farsighted as it recognized that an economy that is severely depressed will lead to political instability, such as lead to the rise of Nazi Germany.
Given Greece is the founder of democracy, it appears unlikely that it could form an unfortunate holy alliance with those we would prefer it not to, but the fact remains that it could happen. It is far more likely as Europe plays a game of chicken with Greece. The open source Media paints a picture of rich lazy Greeks. Nothing could be further from the truth. The ordinary people are suffering after years of Austerity, and to have more than 50% of their young unemployed is very telling. The fact that the Greek economy has contracted by 25% says it all.
when the economy is so bad, and the young have time and energy to burn with no useful purpose the out look is bleak. Just where do the Germans feel they have the right to totally destroy the Greek economy?
This is incredibly short sighted, perhaps Greece Will be better off out of the common currency. This would leave them like Turkey, poor but in charge of their own destiny.
The greatest irony is that ultimately Europe will be the loser.
and possibly All of us if this spirals into a depression.
Germany would not be the economic powerhouse it currently is if it's debt had not been forgiven all those years ago.
From a security perspective, would it be wise to make an enemy of a country so strategically placed?
It seems incredible to me that Europe is so shortsighted.
Wednesday, 8 July 2015
Sunday, 28 June 2015
Greece exiting the euro?
I must say I am sad to see the news about the EU ministers refusing the rest of the bailout money previously promised. There will be no winners in this situation. In true democratic fashion, the Greeks will hold a referendum.
Do the EU not see the strategic importance of this area? I am shocked at the shortsighteness of it all.
Do the EU not see the strategic importance of this area? I am shocked at the shortsighteness of it all.
Wednesday, 24 June 2015
Greece again
I have been reading some of the open source material about Greece's woes, and cannot fathom why it's creditors persist with the view that it's woes are due to the pension schemes they have. Worse still demanding cuts from a country facing severe depression. Have they not noted the flood of refugees the Greeks are having to deal with, probably in as great a numbers as Italy has. One hopes that reason will prevail at some point in the next six days. The economic hardships endured as a result of absorbing so many refugees must add to a worsening situation.
Greece is where democracy was founded, let's not bring it to a point of humiliation, where it is forced to go cap in hand to Russia!
Doing away with their hidden economy will put it on the right course, but that only works when there is a safe banking system, and people are not desperate.
Greece is where democracy was founded, let's not bring it to a point of humiliation, where it is forced to go cap in hand to Russia!
Doing away with their hidden economy will put it on the right course, but that only works when there is a safe banking system, and people are not desperate.
Friday, 19 June 2015
Turkey, six weeks later.
Well time has passed since I was there, it is difficult to find too much on the news about Turkey. I was delighted to see their elections were clearly free and fair. This was what a lot of Turks feared would not be the case. The outcome means the constitution remains as is. This is good for Turkey from what I can see.
Turkey is a country that should be admired, the people are not wealthy, they have many hostile neighbours, and yet they still manage to accommodate 1.7 million refugee Syrians. This is huge for a country of around 78 million, I think close to 2% of their population. I believe this shows the hospitable nature of the Turkish people. I would think the refugees are way better treated in Turkey than the ones in Lebanon who are herded into camps under appalling conditions. Turkey has taken far more Syrian refugees than anywhere else, how would we cope if we took on 90,000 refugees? I think NZ would really struggle to assimilate that many people, both economically and culturally. Or imagine the US with its 200m people , that would be like them taking in 4m people. The great thing about theses refugees going into Turkey is that culturally I think Turkey would be very close to Syria (before Assad and ISIS) and probably where the refugees would feel most comfortable apart from the harsh economic conditions no social welfare there! I think they are ordinary people who are trying to get on with their lives.
There Are a lot of media in N Z saying we should be taking more refugees here. Notice a lot of the people are from Islamic countries, leaving many wanting to help from a humanitarian point of view, but fearful that allowing refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and the likes of Somalia would be risking importing radical cells into their country. Some of the Somali people who have come here have been appearing in our judicial system, not ideal.
Wouldn't it be better to support genuine refugees from war torn countries in similarly cultural counties rather than transplanting them to other places?
I do know the Turks show wonderful hospitality, and wonder if they shouldn't be supported taking on all these extra people in need.
It is also great to think that a stable Turkey will be around for the likes of NZ's to visit for some time to come.
I definitely would like to see Ephesus, Canakkele and Cappadocia again as well as their Mediterranean coast, and I am sure many other wonderful places. There is way more to Turkey than just Istanbul.
Turkey is a country that should be admired, the people are not wealthy, they have many hostile neighbours, and yet they still manage to accommodate 1.7 million refugee Syrians. This is huge for a country of around 78 million, I think close to 2% of their population. I believe this shows the hospitable nature of the Turkish people. I would think the refugees are way better treated in Turkey than the ones in Lebanon who are herded into camps under appalling conditions. Turkey has taken far more Syrian refugees than anywhere else, how would we cope if we took on 90,000 refugees? I think NZ would really struggle to assimilate that many people, both economically and culturally. Or imagine the US with its 200m people , that would be like them taking in 4m people. The great thing about theses refugees going into Turkey is that culturally I think Turkey would be very close to Syria (before Assad and ISIS) and probably where the refugees would feel most comfortable apart from the harsh economic conditions no social welfare there! I think they are ordinary people who are trying to get on with their lives.
There Are a lot of media in N Z saying we should be taking more refugees here. Notice a lot of the people are from Islamic countries, leaving many wanting to help from a humanitarian point of view, but fearful that allowing refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and the likes of Somalia would be risking importing radical cells into their country. Some of the Somali people who have come here have been appearing in our judicial system, not ideal.
Wouldn't it be better to support genuine refugees from war torn countries in similarly cultural counties rather than transplanting them to other places?
I do know the Turks show wonderful hospitality, and wonder if they shouldn't be supported taking on all these extra people in need.
It is also great to think that a stable Turkey will be around for the likes of NZ's to visit for some time to come.
I definitely would like to see Ephesus, Canakkele and Cappadocia again as well as their Mediterranean coast, and I am sure many other wonderful places. There is way more to Turkey than just Istanbul.
Greece, two months later
I have watched with interest what is going on in Greece since we were there. (Or what I can see since very little filters through to us.) , it is sad to see every euro being squeezed out of Greece from places that it shouldn't, t be such as schools and hospitals. That is how they made the last 2 payments in May.
Before I went to Greece, I swallowed the Northern European line that Greeks were lazy, they only work for 20 years and then they sit in cafés drinking coffee and talking. It is true that they believe in taking a long time over their morning coffee, but even old men were working even if only to drag passers by into a resturant for a euro per person. From what I can see everyone does something.
There are two things that have brought Greece to its knees, one is national pride. The reason I say this, is Greece embarked upon many ambitious projects when it hosted the 2004 Olympics. New roads were built to provide infrastructure, tunnels drilled through mountains, the iron bridge built across the Corinth gulf (to enable better transportation to Athens), many wonderful stadiums and other ambitious projects.
While these are wonderful, the cost of hosting the Olympics has left the country seriously in debt. I don't imagine they were in anyway compensated for providing such wonderful amenities. Since Greece's main income now is tourism, the additional tourism from the games nowhere near compensated the huge outlay. For a country of 11 million people this was a huge burden they are unlikely to recover from any time soon if ever. Other Olympic hosts have also struggled to recover after hosting the games, often at least a decade before they financially recover. It was recently suggested NZ consider applying to host the Olympics, for a country of 4.5 million it would be an economic disaster.
However returning to Greece, when the first bailout package was promised, along with austerity measures, they agreed. Now Northern Europe has decided to force the Greek government to cut pensions or they will not provide the remaining 7.1 billion promised, which is needed to repay debt. So the money is withheld and after squeezing dry all their reserves, it looks like they may default on June 30th.
The other reason this is such an issue is that their main source of income after tourism is the export of food items. Food in Greece is wonderful local produce of a wonderfully high standard. Northern Europe could help a lot by importing thir wonderful produce, but as it stands one of their main markets was the old soviet bloc, and that market is now closed to them because of sanctions, therefore depriving the Greeks of any chance of trading their way out of their problems. (This also has the effect of depriving the Russians of fresh fruit and vegetables. )
With 30th June looming more and more Greeks are withdrawing their euros from the banks, fearing a finanail haircut. The Greeks suffered hugely when salaries of public servants were cut in half and many lost their jobs altogether. The ordinary Greek has suffered financially over the past 7 years. An exit from the euro would see huge econonic suffering by the ordinary people.
All this austerity has the effect when gone too far of encouraging the black market, it is considered 30% of its economy or more is under the table. An early exit from the euro, and a run on the banks will exacerbate this.
I believe this will not only hurt the Greeks but the rest of Europe also. However the threats will continue until the last minute from the remainder of Europe before any help (if any) is offered. This will be a dad state of affairs and who knows they may choose to throw thir lot in with the Russians should this occur. The rest of Europe needs to consider carefully just what position it is forcing Greece into. Also the strategic importance of just where Greece is. I shudder to think what could happen if the threats are not just sabre rattling, and are actually carried out. It will be a no win situation for anyone.
Before I went to Greece, I swallowed the Northern European line that Greeks were lazy, they only work for 20 years and then they sit in cafés drinking coffee and talking. It is true that they believe in taking a long time over their morning coffee, but even old men were working even if only to drag passers by into a resturant for a euro per person. From what I can see everyone does something.
There are two things that have brought Greece to its knees, one is national pride. The reason I say this, is Greece embarked upon many ambitious projects when it hosted the 2004 Olympics. New roads were built to provide infrastructure, tunnels drilled through mountains, the iron bridge built across the Corinth gulf (to enable better transportation to Athens), many wonderful stadiums and other ambitious projects.
While these are wonderful, the cost of hosting the Olympics has left the country seriously in debt. I don't imagine they were in anyway compensated for providing such wonderful amenities. Since Greece's main income now is tourism, the additional tourism from the games nowhere near compensated the huge outlay. For a country of 11 million people this was a huge burden they are unlikely to recover from any time soon if ever. Other Olympic hosts have also struggled to recover after hosting the games, often at least a decade before they financially recover. It was recently suggested NZ consider applying to host the Olympics, for a country of 4.5 million it would be an economic disaster.
However returning to Greece, when the first bailout package was promised, along with austerity measures, they agreed. Now Northern Europe has decided to force the Greek government to cut pensions or they will not provide the remaining 7.1 billion promised, which is needed to repay debt. So the money is withheld and after squeezing dry all their reserves, it looks like they may default on June 30th.
The other reason this is such an issue is that their main source of income after tourism is the export of food items. Food in Greece is wonderful local produce of a wonderfully high standard. Northern Europe could help a lot by importing thir wonderful produce, but as it stands one of their main markets was the old soviet bloc, and that market is now closed to them because of sanctions, therefore depriving the Greeks of any chance of trading their way out of their problems. (This also has the effect of depriving the Russians of fresh fruit and vegetables. )
With 30th June looming more and more Greeks are withdrawing their euros from the banks, fearing a finanail haircut. The Greeks suffered hugely when salaries of public servants were cut in half and many lost their jobs altogether. The ordinary Greek has suffered financially over the past 7 years. An exit from the euro would see huge econonic suffering by the ordinary people.
All this austerity has the effect when gone too far of encouraging the black market, it is considered 30% of its economy or more is under the table. An early exit from the euro, and a run on the banks will exacerbate this.
I believe this will not only hurt the Greeks but the rest of Europe also. However the threats will continue until the last minute from the remainder of Europe before any help (if any) is offered. This will be a dad state of affairs and who knows they may choose to throw thir lot in with the Russians should this occur. The rest of Europe needs to consider carefully just what position it is forcing Greece into. Also the strategic importance of just where Greece is. I shudder to think what could happen if the threats are not just sabre rattling, and are actually carried out. It will be a no win situation for anyone.
Monday, 4 May 2015
what I have learned about overseas travel
1. Carry your passport with you at all times. You can't board a domestic flight in a foreign country without it, especially a country that has all hostile neighbours. (or check into a hotel)
2. Don't put leaky items in overhead lockers, people sitting under them get upset when dripped upon.
3. Don't close your eyes and pray when in a Turkish or Greek taxi, you may get summarily dumped out before you reach your journeys end.
4. when you are trying to move fast to let an ill person out of a centre seat, try not to spill a glass of water down the neck of the sleeping person in front of you...
5. Don't expect N Z taxi drivers to help you with your bags getting into their taxi, they won't.
2. Don't put leaky items in overhead lockers, people sitting under them get upset when dripped upon.
3. Don't close your eyes and pray when in a Turkish or Greek taxi, you may get summarily dumped out before you reach your journeys end.
4. when you are trying to move fast to let an ill person out of a centre seat, try not to spill a glass of water down the neck of the sleeping person in front of you...
5. Don't expect N Z taxi drivers to help you with your bags getting into their taxi, they won't.
The long road home
Well after a bomb exploding just down the road from us on Saturday afternoon, we left the hotel at 2040 hrs as previously arranged, we felt we were leaving at the right time. On the way back to the airport, our transport stopped, one of the passengers had left his bag behind. Just as well we were not in a hurry.
Anyway we got to Istanbul's Atuturk airport (the one on the European side) with hours to spare as this was the last shuttle out. Knowing that Atuturk airport used a shuttle system, Lynley set about trying to get assistance for me. We had to wait until the check in counter opened for that. While we were waiting, I sat down next to the weigh station for bags, where people were busy repacking to ensure compliance with the baggage regulations. Along came an Egyptian gentleman, who became over friendly rather rapidly to the extent of him proposing to me. I was quite taken a back with this, he asked me for my phone number, so I gave him my Turkish one, I will never use again. I suspect he wanted to migrate to NZ. I didn't want to cause a scene in the airport, so we got up to wait in the queue for China southern airlines to open. I don't know if there is a sign on my forehead that says sucker, but Lynley reckons his intentions were spelt s c a m ! We got assistance, and we're wheeled away, but Istanbul's airport people reckoned they could only check us as far as Urumqi. We would have to collect our bags at Urumqi airport, clear Chinese customs, and then book in for the domestic flight to Guangzhou. (all within under 2 hrs). Eventually we boarded the flight at Atuturk(by hoist), and we were off, but I felt terrible. Half an hour later or less, I was violently I'll before the seat belt sign was even turned off. I must have picked up the gastrointestinal bug we had been trying hard to avoid, or it may have been the proximity of the Egyptian 'gentleman'. Anyway I spent much of that 7 hour flight locked in the small room.
I felt better when we landed, and had to get off the aircraft by hoist again, and the young man sent to help, smoothed the way through customs, helped with bags, filled out our arrival card in Chinese characters, and raced us through the maze that was Urumqi airport. We only just got on to the flight to Guangzhou just before it took off. But his assistance was invaluable, he checked our luggage through to Auckland. So we would not have to worry at Guangzhou airport. But he took my crutch away, said it had to go in the hold, and that I could use a wheelchair on the flight??
I guess you win some and lose some. We never would have made that connection without his help. At least we had a cool view of the Chinese mountains before it got dark Sunday night. All of China is on the same time, so between Istanbul and Urumqi we went forward 5 hours in time. On arrival at Guangzhou airport we didn'thave to worry about the bags, so we accepted the help offered, and this time we got taken to a VIP lounge to wait for transportation to the international terminal. We made good use of that time having a shower and I washed my clothes and dried them with a hairdryer enough to put back on, at least I was now presentable. They got us out of there quickly and we had to wait at the gate a one time for the flight to Auckland, again boarding by hoist. We met a nice young Irish-English man doing his O E coming to NZ and later on to Australia for a couple of years. He was most pleasant and considerate.
When we arrived I decided to get out of the aircraft under my own steam as Auckland has airport has air bridges to get off flights. However when clear of the airbridge a lovely lady appeared with a wheelchair and I got taken rapidly through the customs and immigration. Steve and Sandra were there to meet us and we were off, but of course it was now 1700 hrs in Auckland and the traffic was heavy. Going up Queenstown Rd hill the engine boiled and Stephen had to keep turning the motor off each time we stopped. We stopped in Greenlane to allow the engine to cool, and after a while we set off again. The traffic head eased a little but was still heavy. The same problem occurred when we went up the harbour bridge and we came to the end of the road in Onewa Rd. Steve called the AA, and we called a taxi for the remainder of the trip. He didn't arrive for ages and when he did, he refused to help us with the bags. Lynley told him he was lazy, and fortunately Steve helped. Eventually we got home,, and Leny came by with the TVNZ recording of Lynley planting the Girls Brigade poppies at Chunuk Bair.
Taxi drivers seem to have the same bad apples everywhere, but most are great.
I am home, but Lynley flies to Wellington this morning, takes the train to Masterton, then get picked up at the railway station there, and I guess she should make it home by 1300 hrs today. She has time off, but I will be back to work tomorrow and it will all become a memory.
Thanks to all those who have helped us, particularly Steve, and the airport worker in Urumqi, who spoke no English, but ensured we made that impossibly tight connection.
Anyway we got to Istanbul's Atuturk airport (the one on the European side) with hours to spare as this was the last shuttle out. Knowing that Atuturk airport used a shuttle system, Lynley set about trying to get assistance for me. We had to wait until the check in counter opened for that. While we were waiting, I sat down next to the weigh station for bags, where people were busy repacking to ensure compliance with the baggage regulations. Along came an Egyptian gentleman, who became over friendly rather rapidly to the extent of him proposing to me. I was quite taken a back with this, he asked me for my phone number, so I gave him my Turkish one, I will never use again. I suspect he wanted to migrate to NZ. I didn't want to cause a scene in the airport, so we got up to wait in the queue for China southern airlines to open. I don't know if there is a sign on my forehead that says sucker, but Lynley reckons his intentions were spelt s c a m ! We got assistance, and we're wheeled away, but Istanbul's airport people reckoned they could only check us as far as Urumqi. We would have to collect our bags at Urumqi airport, clear Chinese customs, and then book in for the domestic flight to Guangzhou. (all within under 2 hrs). Eventually we boarded the flight at Atuturk(by hoist), and we were off, but I felt terrible. Half an hour later or less, I was violently I'll before the seat belt sign was even turned off. I must have picked up the gastrointestinal bug we had been trying hard to avoid, or it may have been the proximity of the Egyptian 'gentleman'. Anyway I spent much of that 7 hour flight locked in the small room.
I felt better when we landed, and had to get off the aircraft by hoist again, and the young man sent to help, smoothed the way through customs, helped with bags, filled out our arrival card in Chinese characters, and raced us through the maze that was Urumqi airport. We only just got on to the flight to Guangzhou just before it took off. But his assistance was invaluable, he checked our luggage through to Auckland. So we would not have to worry at Guangzhou airport. But he took my crutch away, said it had to go in the hold, and that I could use a wheelchair on the flight??
I guess you win some and lose some. We never would have made that connection without his help. At least we had a cool view of the Chinese mountains before it got dark Sunday night. All of China is on the same time, so between Istanbul and Urumqi we went forward 5 hours in time. On arrival at Guangzhou airport we didn'thave to worry about the bags, so we accepted the help offered, and this time we got taken to a VIP lounge to wait for transportation to the international terminal. We made good use of that time having a shower and I washed my clothes and dried them with a hairdryer enough to put back on, at least I was now presentable. They got us out of there quickly and we had to wait at the gate a one time for the flight to Auckland, again boarding by hoist. We met a nice young Irish-English man doing his O E coming to NZ and later on to Australia for a couple of years. He was most pleasant and considerate.
When we arrived I decided to get out of the aircraft under my own steam as Auckland has airport has air bridges to get off flights. However when clear of the airbridge a lovely lady appeared with a wheelchair and I got taken rapidly through the customs and immigration. Steve and Sandra were there to meet us and we were off, but of course it was now 1700 hrs in Auckland and the traffic was heavy. Going up Queenstown Rd hill the engine boiled and Stephen had to keep turning the motor off each time we stopped. We stopped in Greenlane to allow the engine to cool, and after a while we set off again. The traffic head eased a little but was still heavy. The same problem occurred when we went up the harbour bridge and we came to the end of the road in Onewa Rd. Steve called the AA, and we called a taxi for the remainder of the trip. He didn't arrive for ages and when he did, he refused to help us with the bags. Lynley told him he was lazy, and fortunately Steve helped. Eventually we got home,, and Leny came by with the TVNZ recording of Lynley planting the Girls Brigade poppies at Chunuk Bair.
Taxi drivers seem to have the same bad apples everywhere, but most are great.
I am home, but Lynley flies to Wellington this morning, takes the train to Masterton, then get picked up at the railway station there, and I guess she should make it home by 1300 hrs today. She has time off, but I will be back to work tomorrow and it will all become a memory.
Thanks to all those who have helped us, particularly Steve, and the airport worker in Urumqi, who spoke no English, but ensured we made that impossibly tight connection.
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