Kara Tepe Refugee Camp Lesbos, Greece 2018

Blog Post 19 Prime Minister Visits Lesvos Today May 3, 2018 Gentle Reader, Today was pretty much shut down completely in Myteline.  The Prime Minister was scheduled to visit.  I had been told that all the stores were shut down for security reasons.  According to this article, the stores closed to protest "the presence of thousands of migrants and plans to revoke the favorable tax status enjoyed by Aegean Islands." I'm sharing this article, but because I am not familiar with publications in Greece, I don't know the reliability of this source.  I also don't know if this paper is right or left leaning, as I would if I were posting an article from an American publisher.  That being said, here's the article... Security tight on Lesvos for PM's visit as stores close in protest TAGS: Politics ,  Migration ,  Economy ,  Protest Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was due on Lesvos on Thursday for a speech at a "growth conference...

Blog Post 18 At Port Myteline May 3, 2018 Gentle Reader, Most nights now, I am down at the Myteline Port.  I have found that this area doesn't come to full life until around 9 at night.  Greeks seem to like to begin eating dinner about that time, or even a little later.  I love watching the port come to life with so many people.  Individuals biking or sitting on a bench by the water.  Families out with strollers and dogs. Couples kissing in Sappho Square.  The folks who populate the cafes and drinking establishments, starting around six.  It seems many folks enjoy a coffee or a drink to unwind from the day.  The chat is lively. One of the joys for me of being overseas is that I treasure being in cultures that seem to honor and celebrate human contact on a daily basis.  I'm reminded of a story I heard from a transport driver when I was attending an AP Literature conference in Vermont.  The driver was from Bosnia, so we naturall...

Blog 17 Update on Work at the Shop May 2, 2018 Gentle Reader, I am well into my 3rd week working at Kara Tepe now.  The first week started with several 12 and 14 hour days.  Movement on the Ground wants its volunteers to become familiar with all the projects on site, so the first week or so is filled with long hours and many engaging experiences.  It is also filled with complete exhaustion, as any of the new volunteers will tell you. Friends have asked what a typical day looks like for me now volunteering at Kara Tepe.  The frenzied schedule of hopping from project to project area has calmed way down.  Mostly, I am now scheduled for The Shop, where clothing and shoes are distributed.  The Shop is at the hub of the village, directly across from The Chai Shop.  It is a lively place where people come in to chat, schedule appointments, see the tailor for alterations, etc... I tend to work now from 930 am till 630 pm.  I am the veteran volunt...

Blog #16 Allegra's Birthday April 30, 2018 Gentle Reader, One of the more difficult aspects of traveling and being away from home is that I miss events.  Today is Allegra's birthday.  She is the youngest of four daughters, and she turns 19 today.  To celebrate, she went to a Vegan/Vegetarian Festival in Novi over the weekend.  It was held at their Convention Center.  She told me she was happy to be among her people! She also went to Sultan's Restaurant in East Lansing.  I had taken her there when I was in Michigan in March, and she really enjoyed the many options that fit her lifestyle on the menu.  I was happy to hear she had the appetizer with roasted cauliflower again... and a mango smoothie.  She also enjoyed a vegan chocolate cake from Whole Foods. I missed being at her celebration, but was in communication with her throughout the day.  Here's the photo-poem I wrote for Allegra in honor of her birthday... May your dreams con...

Blog Post 15 Theatre Rehearsal April 29, 2018 Gentle Reader, Today is Sunday, a day off from working at Kara Tepe.  My original plan was to travel to a small fishing village just north of Kara Tepe, but I was told many of the shops and restaurants might be closed due to it being Sunday.  So, I will save that excursion for a weeknight when I am not completely exhausted.  The heat, combined with long hours on my feet, as well as hauling boxes from the warehouse to The Shop, tend to create a very tired me by the end of the workday.  The work is exhausting, but it is ultimately good work. In my stumbling around at Myteline Port today, I eventually needed to find a restroom.  This poses some difficulty, as the shop where I had lunch was just a small, narrow storefront, with no public restrooms.  I walked around the port, looking for a public toilet.  I discovered the doors to the theatre were open, and found my way to the WC.  Here's a happy me...