It has been a little over a year since I started blogging and posting my photographs here. I was new to the blogging world and community, and I was behaving like a novice which I was. What I find most exciting, after a year is the acceptance and the love you shared with me, my friends. People from all over the world encouraged me and helped me with their thoughts and suggestions, shared their thoughts and love and appreciation with me and for that I must thank you all and wish the best for you and your families for the coming year 2011.
During the past year, a lot of things happened. First of all, all of us are a year older than what we were at the same time last year. Some might be a little wiser also. I am not sure if I can say that for myself.
When I started the blog, I wanted it to be exclusively for my photographs. With images from Greece and other places I have been, and as few words as possible. Sometimes though, I was overwhelmed by my emotions and I had to show them here.
During the last year, a lot of things changed here in Greece for the ordinary people also. Many years of bad, incompetent, indecisive, ineffective or not caring series of governments, had as result an almost bankrupt economy and a disorganized country, and now, according to the directives of the IMF and the European Union, people who had nothing to do with all the above problems, are asked to pay for the price of all the above. The cost of living for the ordinary people has skyrocketed, as wages, salaries and pensions have been cut, social services have been reduced and unemployment is reaching record heights, along with prices rising all the time.
It looks like they want to steal everything from us. But we are facing the hardships and those who are responsible for them with one weapon which they cannot take from us. Our smile. We stand against them smiling. And that is killing them. Because they know they cannot wipe it off our faces.
Keep smiling my friends. It is contagious.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL
Costas
Year 2010 is departing... waving good bye to Greeks. Year 2011 is coming with more promises.
Το 2010 μας στέλνει θερμό αποχαιρετιστήριο χαιρετισμο. Το 2011 έρχεται με περισσότερες υποσχέσεις.
Είναι κάτι παραπάνω από χρόνος που ξεκίνησα αυτό το blog για να μοιράζομαι μαζί σας τις φωτογραφίες μου. Ήμουνα καινούριος στο αντικείμενο, στραβάδι με λίγα λόγια, αλλά σιγά σιγά πήρα τα πάνω μου. Σ' αυτό συνετέλεσε σημαντικά η αγάπη που μου δείξατε και η αποδοχή σας. Μπήκα σ' ένα καινούριο κόσμο και έκανα φίλους από όλον το κόσμο. Με βοηθήσατε πολύ με τις συμβουλές, τις υποδείξεις και την αγάπη σας. Πολλοί μ' ανοίξατε και την καρδιά σας και μοιραστήκατε μαζί μου χαρές και λύπες σας. Σας ευχαριστώ όλους γι αυτό και εύχομαι σ' όλους σας μια καλύτερη χρονιά με υγεία και χαρά σε σας και τις οικογένειές σας.
Πολλά συνέβησαν την χρονιά που πέρασε. Πρώτα πρώτα, όλοι μας μεγαλώσαμε κατά ένα χρόνο. Ορισμένοι μπορεί να έγιναν και σοφότεροι. Εγώ δεν θα τόλεγα αυτό για μένα.
Όταν ξεκίνησα το blog, είχα σκοπό να το κρατήσω καθαρά φωτογραφικό. Χωρίς προσωπικούς συναισθηματισμούς και σκέψεις, αν και πολλές φορές οι φωτογραφίες έχουνε κομμάτι από την ψυχή μας. Αρκετές φορές παρασύρθηκα από προσωπικούς συναισθηματισμούς χωρίς να το επιδιώκω. Αλλά πολλά πράγματα που συμβαίνουν δεν μπορούνε να σ αφήσουν απαθή.
Πολλά μας συνέβηκαν την χρονιά που πέρασε. Αμαρτίες παλιές και πολλές είχαν σαν αποτέλεσμα να μας κουβαληθούνε προστάτες και επιστάτες. Να μας προσέχουνε νάμαστε από τώρα και μετά καλά παιδιά. Το χειρότερο όμως είναι πως τις αμαρτίες των άλλων τις πληρώνει ο φτωχός κόσμος που δεν φταίει. Το κόστος της κρίσης στον καθένα μας, είναι αντιστρόφως ανάλογο με την συμβολή του στην κρίση. Κι ας λένε πως “όλοι μαζί τα φάγαμε”..
Κοντεύουν να μας τα πάρουν όλα. Ή μάλλον μας τα έχουνε πάρει όλα. Εκτός από ένα πράγμα. Το χαμόγελο από τα χείλη μας. Αυτό δεν τους αρέσει γιατί είναι το μόνο που δεν μπορούν να μας πάρουν. Είναι το όπλο μας απέναντι τους. Και είναι το χαμόγελό μας που τους σκοτώνει. Αυτό να το θυμάστε.
Χαμογελάτε φίλοι μου. Είναι Μεταδοτικό.
ΚΑΛΗ ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΣΕ ΟΛΟΥΣ
Κωστής
Πρωτοχρονιά
Πρωτοχρονιά και δεν μπορώ
άλλες ευχές να δώσω
στο τέλος θα γυρέψουνε
κι αυτές να τις πληρώσω.
Έτσι που μας κατάντησαν
σ' αυτό εδώ το χάλι
όσα στερούνται οι μικροί
ν' αρπάζουν οι μεγάλοι
Πόσο να κάνεις 'πομονή
τι άλλο πια ν' αντέξεις
και ψάχνεις για γκρεμό ψηλό
μια κι' όξω για να πέσεις
για να γλιτώσεις απ' αυτούς
όπου σε τυραννούνε
με το αίμα που σου ρούφηξαν
γλεντούνε και μεθούνε.
Υστερόγραφο σημαντικό
Δε μπορώ ν' ανταγωνιστώ
τον φίλο μου τον Φάνη
οπού γιορτάζει σύντομα.
Ποτέ του μην πεθάνει
ολόψυχα του εύχομαι.
Πάντα να μας χαρίζει
χαμόγελα έστω και πικρά
μ' αυτά που σατιρίζει.
I wish you a great year! :D
ReplyDeleteLove the song!
Kiss
Thanks !
ReplyDeleteMy dearest Costas! What a delight your blog has been to me! I have such wonderful memories of my visit to Greece and you have helped all of those memories come alive again with your fantastic photos. But even better than that, I feel that I have found in you a wonderful friend that I can share the beauty of my world with as well as enjoy revisiting yours. Both our countries have sad economies that effect so many, but at least blogging offers a chance not only to see different aspects of our own countries, but others as well. I wish you such a wonderful and beautifully happy New Year, my friend! Thank you for the beauty and pleasure your bring into my life with your blog/photos! Have a wonderful weekend! Love the song as well!
ReplyDeleteMuch love to you, my friend!
Sylvia
Keep smiling :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Costas!
☼ Sunny
Thanks for your images and thoughts ...
ReplyDeleteGreetings! Happy New Year!
:-)
Dear Costas, I enjoyed each and every one of your posts. You took me through a virtual trip round Greece with your photos and comments. Thank you very much. I am looking forward to your posts in the next year. I am sure the new year is going to be good for you and your illustrious country.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Σε κόντρα όλων θα χαμογελάμε!
ReplyDeleteΑυτό δεν θα μας το πάρει κανείς!!
Καλή χρονιά με υγεία, αγάπη, χαμόγελα!!!
Happy New Year, Costas!I like the drawing
ReplyDeleteCostas, your words are just lovely - you are so right - the blogging community is wonderful - for all of us and you are an important part of it. Personally I love to visit your blog and see your marvellous photos of Greece - a country I adore. I don't often have time to comment but do when I can but I sincerely thank you for your comments on my blog. Means a lot. We are all sad to see what Greece is going through at the moment. Let's just hope things get better for everyone next year. With love to you and your loved one and wishing you a happy, peaceful and healthy 2011. Jilly xxx
ReplyDeleteΚωστή,
ReplyDeleteΕυχαριστώ πάρα πολύ για τις θερμές ευχές σου, αντεύχομαι σε σένα και την οικογένεια σου, να μη λείψει ποτέ το χαμόγελο από τα χείλη σας, εύχομαι ακόμη καλή υγεία, δημιουργικότητα και πολλά-πολλά ταξίδια !!!
Costas I wish you all the best in this coming new year, let me in 2011 also enjoy your nice pictures.
ReplyDeletegreetings, Joop
Bravo Daddy! :D
ReplyDeleteΔύο χιλιάδες έντεκα
ReplyDeleteευχές για σένα μόνο
Κωστή ότι καλύτερο
με τον καινούργιο χρόνο.
Σ ευχαριστώ από καρδιάς
και για τα σχόλια σου
η ευτυχία κι η χαρά
παντοτινά κοντά σου.
Είναι οι μαντινάδες σου
στολίδια, με τιμούνε,
όσες κι αν έκανες ευχές
αληθινές να βγούνε.
Εύχομαι η πατρίδα μας
να βγει από την κρίση
γονατιστός ο Ελληνας
δεν το μπορεί να ζήσει.
° • ♫ "Happy MMXI !!!...
ReplyDelete°º ♫°° ♫♫ Feliz Ano Novo!!!!...
° ·. •*• ♫
Bj♥s
Brasil °º♫
°º
° ·.
Thank you very much for your visits and comments during 2010.
ReplyDeleteΚαλή Χρονιά σε σας!
Happy New Year to you too
ReplyDeleteEncantador blog el tuyo, un placer haberme pasado por tu espacio.
ReplyDeleteRecibe mis mejores deseos para este cambio en el contador del segundo milenio, para este nuevo año que se nos cae encima.
Saludos y un abrazo.
Όσα δεν φέρνει ο χρόνος όλος μπορεί να τα φέρει μια στιγμή. Γι’ αυτό ο καινούργιος χρόνος ας είναι γεμάτος στιγμές ευτυχίας και αγάπης. Χρόνια Πολλά και δημιουργικά
ReplyDeleteGreat post Costas. I know your country is going through hard times, and this do something with people in different ways.
ReplyDeleteKeep smiling, and a happy new year to you and your family.
Warm hugs from Berit.
A Happy New Year Costas!
ReplyDeleteA brilliant post.
I also think you've choosen a very appropriate song.
The title & song is definitely a message to us all!
Keep smiling Costas!
Χρονια Πολλα Κωστη
ReplyDeleteμε πολυ πολυ χαμογελο και υγεια.
Ευχομαι στο μπλογκ σου να ζησει αρκετα χρονια ακομα και να μας χαριζει ομορφες εικονες γεματες φως και χρωματα.
Οι εικονες μιλουν απο μονες τους και συχνα μας μαγευουν αλλα εξισου σημαντικες ειναι και οι εξομολογησεις καρδιας γιατι ειμαστε και παραμενουμε ανθρωποι με αισθησεις και παθη.
ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΠΟΛΛΑ
ΟΤΙ ΚΑΛΟ ΓΙΑ ΣΕΝΑ ΚΑΙ
ΤΗΝ ΟΙΚΟΓΕΝΕΙΑ ΣΟΥ
Costas, We started about the same time with our blogging experience. You have been a good supporter. I've loved your photos but like them best when you have written about them. Thanks for a good year.
ReplyDeleteNellie
It has been fun sharing with you this past year. Little is said about economy in other nations, everywhere is bad.I have tightened my belt over the years so know I can suvive, happy.Hope you have a better year, that mignight hour is approaching your part of the world.
ReplyDeleteSteve
LOVE that cartoon. Made me chuckle a bit. HNY 2011.
ReplyDeleteSzampana piccolo,
ReplyDeleteBrokatu na czoło,
Uśmiechu na twarzy,
Szampańskiej zabawy,
Życzeń serdecznych,
Wspomnień najlepszych
oraz braku kaca
kiedy w nowym roku pamięć wraca
Wszystkiego najlepszego w Nowym 2011 Roku życzy
Dorota
Thank you ! :D
ReplyDeleteVery nice words in the first part Costas.
ReplyDeleteAbout incompetent governments I know so much more that I can't smile any more, but hope dies last.
I wish you a prosperous, much better new year,
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Ευχομαι ολόψυχα καλή χρονιά
ReplyDeleteΑγάπη, υγεία κ ευτυχία να ακολουθήσουν
το 2011 κι όλα τα άσχημα να φύγουν μαζί με το 2010! Φιλιά πολλά
Υ.γ Ο κύριος Φάνης δεν γιορτάζει τα Θεοφάνεια αλλά του Αγ.φανούρη!
Φιλιά πολλά
Great post, Costas!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love that song, too!
Thank you for being such a wonderful friend!
Happy New Year!
Loving your blog...
Hugs,
Betty
Καλή χρονιά με υγεια και αγάπη!
ReplyDeleteΦιλια πολλα
Very insightful words and comments Costas. So very sorry there are problems in your country. I guess none of us are immune to the consequences of what those in power choose to do. But you are so right, no one can take away our spirit, our hopes for the future, our smiles!!! And seeing your beautiful country through your camera has brought a smile to my face. I'm wishing you a VERY HAPPY 2011, and a wonderful new year of blogging for us to enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHappy new year Costas. I hope that things in Greece will take a turn for the better. It is the same everywhere. All governments seem not to know what they are doing. But enough of that. I hope to be back soon to see your wonderful images of beautiful Greece.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!
ReplyDeleteWe wish you a joyful life
full of healthy, happiness and pleasure :)
Hugs Love Anya
Kareltje =^.^=
Betsie =(^.^)=
Dear Costas,
ReplyDeleteYou are a wise man. Despite the hard times in your country you keep smiling.
I hope 2011 will be a good year for you.
Best regards, Elly
All the best for 2011 Costas. Thanks for including the vid.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Costas! xoxo
ReplyDeleteHey, Costas, in spite of adversity, smile! The life is so rare...
ReplyDeleteA special kiss for the year that has just arrived!
Happy 2011 to you and yours.
And thank you very much for sharing your work with us.
Cheers.
Thank You for Your great photographs and for beatiful voyages You have taken us on Your blog. And for Your yesterday words. What You said about Greece is in many points actual also in Poland. Maybe Poland has not such dramatic situation (YET) but a lot of people are in very difficult situation. In big cities is better, but I live in a small province town and work in a culture sector (I'm a museum worker), and I see many sad things. Because it is very sad, when peuple who studied many years and work really hard have salaries sufficient hardly to survive. But You are right - we have our smile, and not only smile. Also - our friends, families and passions - different passions - for example photography, blogging, writing... - everybody can find something. Withut them our life would be really hopeless. And with them life is more betiful and better. They give us hope that this New Year could be happier for us. So -
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year 2011!
Wishing you a good year, despite of all the s..t going on in Greece (and elsewhere). Kalo kronia!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI wish you all my best from Romania!
Εύχομαι πάντα γερός κεφάτος ταξιδιάρης και χαμογελαστός.
ReplyDeleteΚαλή Χρονιά σε σένα και όπου αγαπάς.
I too started my blog thinking it would be all images ... my art and photos... but little by little I shared and people actually read what I was writing. I am so glad you have shared your thoughts, your words, your self.
ReplyDeleteMay this new year bring you joy and peace and many many blessings. A very Happy New Year to you Costas and your beautiful country that you have shared with us.
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ReplyDeleteΚΑΛΗ ΠΡΩΤΟΧΡΟΝΙΑ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2011 ΧΡΥΣΕΣ ΕΥΧΕΣ ΑΓΑΠΗΣ ΚΩΣΤΗ!!!
Well said, Costas! Reading your lines it seemed to me you are writing about Romania, not Greece. And you are so right! Keep smiling!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year from Romania!
I'll keep smiling especially when I visit your blog and read your comments on mine! Happy new year and I hope both our countries experience better times this year!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Costas!
ReplyDeleteHere's to a happy and healthy 2011 for us all...