It’s All Greek to Me!

In case you were wondering if I extended my holiday in Crete, I will tell you that we did love it enough to go directly to a real estate office on the 2nd day, with a long term extension in mind.

My husband had declared a “topless holiday” policy.  Hold on, it is not what you might be thinking.  Although the South coast of Crete has always been popular with Hippies and Nudists, we were in the North and the topless rule meant “No Laptops”.  Although I had protested to this rule, I realized that he was not alone in thinking I needed a break from my laptop when my friend, who happens to be a psychologist, asked me in a very clinical manner if I was experiencing anxiety symptoms about going “laptopless” prior to departure, which I will admit I was.

Once we arrived in Crete and found our way through the mountain roads and olive groves leading to the Villa it was after midnight.  We were instantly impressed by the house and pool.  But the real treat was waking up in the morning to the magnificent views overlooking the mountains, the Bay of Chania and nearby islands.  I must have walked in and out of the house hundreds of times in the week, but I was stopped in my tracks every single time, captivated by the views.  Do you think I missed my laptop?  Not even for a minute.

I had spent hours online searching for the perfect house to rent, and to everyone’s surprise, my research and hard work paid off!  No trick photography- the villa exceeded our expectations in every way!  My husband’s hiking research was less accurate- read about the Escape from Samaria Gorge tomorrow! Continue reading »

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Poverty- Where do we draw the line?

Today is Blog Action Day 2008 and the blogging world has united to take on poverty.  Click here for a compilation of Heartbreaking statistics on poverty.  As a mother of two kids under 5, seeing the statistics of the +10 million children under age five that are dying each year due to poverty is incomprehensible.

Here are three comments I’d like to add to the global discussion of Poverty;

1. The number of people existing on $10 or even $1 per day are always shocking.  Equally shocking is the number of people living beyond their means (especially in North America) that can’t seem to get by on $1,000+ per week.

2. In the context of the ongoing financial crisis, many people are feeling poor or poorer lately that don’t meet the standard definition.  Sadly, with job cuts and bank closures rates running neck and neck, many who were previously living comfortably face a dismal financial future.

3. Poverty exists in your own backyard.  Even here in the Netherlands, the government sets targets for the financial independence of women and recently announced great news that more than 40% women are financially independent.  Where did they draw the line?  10.030 euros!

I was determined to participate in this discussion, yet feel extremely guilty, as I rush through this post to jet off in a few hours to a Holiday in Crete…How do you reconcile your own role in the poverty gap?  Do you know people that thrive while living below the line?  What if we could all learn to not only survive but thrive with less?

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