My last day in Switzerland… I’m flying back tomorrow. I always enjoy the time in my old home with my family, but it’s always a bit of a culture shock!

In Switzerland everything is so organized, planned, accurate, clean and civilized. Everyone knows what awaits them and what is expected of them. People are friendly with one another, say “Grüezi” and “en Guete” and there is a “master plan” and instructions for use for everything (see photo, seen in a public toilet in St. Gallen). Nothing is left to chance. If something doesn’t go exactly according to plan, you get upset or call the police.

In Greece, chance is omnipresent. You are pleasantly surprised and grateful when something goes smoothly. The people are warm: “Jassou re malaka!” and you stay relaxed when everything doesn’t go according to plan.

But joking aside: nothing goes according to plan. The crisis has now reached every corner of the country. Many people in Switzerland are not even aware of how much the Greek population is suffering. This specter of lazy Greeks living at the expense of hard-working EU citizens has remained frighteningly persistent. I’m amazed at how many young, “well-informed” people believe this!

The ordinary Greek population has been hit hard by the crisis and hasn’t seen a single euro of all these “squandered” billions. That’s why: If you haven’t already planned your upcoming vacation, I would like to recommend Greece to you. And especially of course Ikaria, the little paradise. The people are more hospitable than anywhere else and need holidaymakers more than ever. Every euro you bring into the country goes directly to the people.

Immerse yourself in the special lifestyle of the Ikariotes. I promise you, you will return as a different person and approach your everyday life in a more relaxed manner!