The first strike (metro and bus lines, but maybe not all of them) was waiting for us when we got off the plane less than a week ago. Dimitra had planned to pick us up, but what would have been a 40 minute drive took more than twice as long, given the automobile traffic.
The second was a partial--the metro stopped running after a certain hour of the day and only on certain lines (we aren't sure because it didn't affect us directly; we just heard about it).
The third was today. To complete our residence permit for Ken (I'm covered by Fulbright), we needed to get official translations of his health form, insurance letter, and our marriage license. We got to the government office that does the translation in plenty of time (12:45--they close at 2) only to find that a strike had begun at noon and the office was closed.
We saw the first riot police massing as we walked through a trendy, high-end tourist mall (local color, I guess). Most of them were young. As they stood around waiting for whatever, they were answering email on their I-phones.
Finally, we saw the beginning of the actual march. Ken could translate some of the banners, mostly about solidarity among various categories--he figured out "railway workers," but wasn't quick enough to get much else. It was all quite orderly and peaceful, at least while we were there.
We kept walking home and at some point heard sirens. A fire-truck passed us going the other way--toward the march route. When we got home, the news showed some smoke and a few scuffles, but from what Ken could catch, it wasn't a major confrontation.
We'll try for the translation office again tomorrow.
The second was a partial--the metro stopped running after a certain hour of the day and only on certain lines (we aren't sure because it didn't affect us directly; we just heard about it).
The third was today. To complete our residence permit for Ken (I'm covered by Fulbright), we needed to get official translations of his health form, insurance letter, and our marriage license. We got to the government office that does the translation in plenty of time (12:45--they close at 2) only to find that a strike had begun at noon and the office was closed.
We saw the first riot police massing as we walked through a trendy, high-end tourist mall (local color, I guess). Most of them were young. As they stood around waiting for whatever, they were answering email on their I-phones.
Finally, we saw the beginning of the actual march. Ken could translate some of the banners, mostly about solidarity among various categories--he figured out "railway workers," but wasn't quick enough to get much else. It was all quite orderly and peaceful, at least while we were there.
We kept walking home and at some point heard sirens. A fire-truck passed us going the other way--toward the march route. When we got home, the news showed some smoke and a few scuffles, but from what Ken could catch, it wasn't a major confrontation.
We'll try for the translation office again tomorrow.
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