Greece from another point of view

Greece is not a country generally associated with cold. It is a place we visit to sunbathe and relax, far away from stress and duties. But the Greece that we used to know is going through hell right now. Hell might be hot but if there is no money to pay for the heating, it can get pretty frosty I tell you.

Earlier this month I spent a long weekend in Greece, a country in which I have spent years of my life and a language I have spent even more years studying. The purpose of the trip was to cheer for and photograph a loved friend competing in such a random activity as body building. I stayed in several places during those days. Friends of friends opened their homes to me and the cold in the houses was quickly forgotten and replaced by their warm welcomes and their spontaneous and open hearted approach. My first night in Athens, sitting around the dinner table in the flower frenzy tiled kitchen, I remember feeling (what I'm sure anyone having experienced something that feels truly important can recognize) how I wished this could be shared. So I did what I do most of the time. Took a bunch of pictures. And again as most of the time, I wish to take more. If I can in a subtile and somewhat true way show how people approach and deal with the crisis in their homes, it might be inspiring also to others. I have a feeling that the key to approaching the difficulties that present themselves to all of us lies somewhere in togetherness and the empathy and love that we show towards ourselves and towards others. Something which the Greeks are really, really good at.
 

By: Johanna Åkerberg Kassel
Sweden