It is a sad time for me, yet at the same time, an exciting time as I quickly approach my 62nd birthday.  I retire in 265 calendar days, exactly 165 working days left when I deduct weekends, our very few paid holidays, my scheduled vacation time back to Greece and South Africa and finally, my one-way ticket to Greece on September 12. 

Greece is in my heart and has been since I was 8 years old.  It is the reason I majored in medieval European history.  But Greece is in chaos right now, and I take each day one day at a time.

Thank God I didn't buy "my" house just 6 weeks ago.  The taxes on that property have gone up almost 2,000 € since then.  The Greek government is going after property owners like white on rice.  They assume that if you own property, you must have a few bucks they can tax the hell out of you.  Otherwise, you're living on the streets, cold and hungry.  It is a horrible place to be right now.

While my plan has been modified to a degree by the midnight dictates of the Greek government, and my concerns regarding the growth of  the neo-Nazi party Χρυσή Αυγή, I have no choice but to forge ahead, ever mindful that tomorrow could bring a different decision.  

I have already been victimized by one Greek; I won't let that happen again by the Greek government.  By Schengen Agreement, I can stay in Greece 90 days, then I must leave all Schengen countries for a period of 90 days before I can return again.  Heavy sigh.  

I can keep the Connecticut home and simply go back and forth 3 months at a time; I have a plan for that.  And with all my frequent flyer miles, the trips only cost me $38.20!!!  That's it!   

But I'm not sure that's what I want.  I want to be in Europe; I want to be in Greece.  Alternative plan #2 is to spend 90 days in Greece, then take a simple 1 1/2 boat ride to Maramis, Turkey and spend 90 days there before returning back to Greece.  

Why Greece?  Because it represents America's future.  Or for certain, it represents Connecticut's future.  Overspending, over taxation, promises of no layoffs to unions for the next three years, government corruption.  Sound familiar?  I am an historian.  I want to see America's future played out, and I will see that in my beloved Greece, knowing at the same time that I have many good friends who have my back, both here and there....