Not so bright and shiny…
Now from what you have seen thus far I sure most have the picture perfect vision of Athens and Greece and general. Obviously the blog is not inflitrated with pictures of refugges and stray pets becuase who wants to see that?
Of couse me being and LOC (Learning and Organizational Change) major I cant help to observe, breakdown, and analyse what is in front of my eyes.
First, yes Greece created democracy and we think of Greece as this strong city state but what what we sometime forget is how many times Greece has been conqured and the different rules Greece ( Athens)has been under.
The city thrives while others struggle. A mansion will sit next to a house that is borded up yet somehow occupied by squatters.
Some questions ran through my head…
1. Who know city planning was so important and crucial in determing what type of power one will possess?
Due to the poor planing of city of Athens and the influx of people to the city they are over crowded and lose leverage for how they can improve and thrive. The infrastructure needed for water, technology (cable, internet, and phone) and schools from my observation is clearly lacking because Athens was not prepared for the future and its opportunities.
2. Refugees?
Yup, there are Refugees here which I find sad but I guess its better than where they came from? They sell nick knacks on the sidewalks and you can clearly tell they don’t fit it in. In such a homogeneous population I too am stared at. They look at me and don’t know what to do because I’m not a refugee clearly with Nike shoes on but im not America (blonde and blue eyed) Only when I open my mouth and speak do they ask (or should I say tell) I am American.
3. American is the best country ever?!…False.
Learning more and more about American from a different perspective and what I am finding is that Americans have some of the most bias views I have ever come across. We are a country that looks of for our own interest and will push its views on all others. Actually just now after having a conversation at Wednesday dinner the feeling is even strong.
That’s all for today.
How do you feel about this?
