Hi,

I am in Larisa now and unfortunately I can not make it down to Athens due to family matters as I am taking care of my mother. I need to warn you all that this is a HOT week as far as strikes go! Even in Greece where strikes are part of life, the numbers of strikes that are happening this week is something that has not been done before! I think by Friday it should all die down. The majority of the strikes concern govt workers (nothing new), transportation and banks. Today the parliament is voting another tough law that will mean cuts in salaries and, as usual, the affected ones are not going down without fighting! So, keep a low profile, don't spend much time around the Parliament at Syntagma Square and, for god's sake, do not wear anything with IMF on it

I wish I could join you guys but I can't...Besides, I probably would not be able to make it down there anyway in time as trains and buses will be affected this week.

Enjoy, Athens is still beautiful this time of the year and this country needs your money now more than ever