I am sitting alone at a table of a local coffee shop and my only company are the eyes of those surrounding me. Thousands of eyes looking and judging, judging, judging, judging, with no shame or guilt. Not even the progressive and developed masks are clear. They are also filled within the crap of “democracy”.

I’m not a financial advisor. I don’t know the percentage of unemployment. I don’t need to know, I see it, I live in it.

Welcome to Greece, a country of development, financial prosperity, professional stability and the list goes on! Chance of a lifetime for youngsters under the age of 25. You don’t need to work for the old fashioned 8 hours/day anymore. With 4 hours of work per day for 5 days a week, you are rewarded with the generous amount of 200e/month, an amount capable to provide a descent living to my countries “developed” environment.

And what on earth should a man under 25 need more money for? Does he have dreams and ambitions? Is he thinking of starting a family? Does he want to explore the beauties of the world and broaden his horizons? Goddam no! Dreams in Greece exist so you don’t get bored in your sleep, not to fulfill them. At least that is what they try to make us believe.

Thank God, I don’t belong to that category. I am over 25, and my wage would be fat and juicy! I could easily travel around the world or start a family with 2 children with my own house in the suburbs. I am obviously joking. Long story short, after a long time I was offered a job on a company for a 4hour/day job with a big sexy reward of 240e! I did a simple math there to calculate my monthly expenses for transportation, around 60e/month, and there I was! I had 180e to spare and use on the stuff I mentioned above.

At that point I did the biggest mistake (or best move) of my life. I turned down the job. I turned down the job and decided not to follow the “developed” majority of my country, but to stay to the minority and loneliness of the unemployed.

What can I say? Should I tire you more with stuff you already read yourselves on the internet? For your information, I am not ashamed of being Greek. But I am ashamed of how Greece has become. Let’s not hide behind our shadow. We have all contributed in this. More or less its all our fault from the moment we allowed incompetent imbeciles to lead this old ship called Hellas to a wreck!

Now, I conceder it a ship without a captain, without life boats and crew but only passengers!

…to Diamanda