Her Story

Wednesday, Sept. 10 - Dwain, Miah, Kate, Lindsay and I went downtown to check out the Central Market – although it was closed we figured out where it was. Then we had dinner at tavernas – a traditional Greek restaurant. Seated beside us was this guy from California and his Greek grandmother. He had overheard us and was inquiring about what we were doing here. His grandmother (who was about 80) said that Athens has really changed. She grew up here and lived here during WWII. She was telling us that she has a story and wanted to tell her grandchildren and have them write it down. She told us part of her story (which was quite a priviledge for her to open up to us and share this depressing time in her life). She had said that when she was young the Germans came into her neighborhood and ordered all the men (young and old) out of the houses. Her brother was forced to go to a plaka and stand in a huge circle facing everyone else. The Germans put masks over their own heads and then demanded to know who was the wealthiest person – people kept pointing to others who had more than them and the wealthiest person(s) were shot in front of everyone. Obviously, this frightened her brother tremendously and this happened for many nights. One night it became so late (and was illegal to be out past a certain time) that her brother was very scared to get back home safely without Patrol catching him. She said a nice young German officer escorted her brother home. With her saddened eyes, she continued to express her concern about how Athens has changed and the people of the city have let the society spin out of control. She was glad to know that Americans wanted to come here and hopes Athens can get a handle on the chaotic society it has become.