Chris' wedding

photo.jpg, originally uploaded by wr_downing33.

Saturday we were in Tahoe for a Wedding. My roomate from college got married. It was awesome. I only wish we could have stay longer in Tahoe. Need to go back there soon.

Greece faces challenges ahead of elections; few taking notice

IMG_1119.JPG, originally uploaded by wr_downing33.

Along the trendy streets outside Athens in the Voulegemenia district, coffee houses are packed, stores busy, and revelers and tourists alike are out in large numbers. There is no evidence that less than one week ago intense forest fires were ravaging most of Northern Greece. Some 60 Greeks were killed, and the government has reported that 500,000 acres of forest and olive orchards were destroyed. With economists uncertain exactly what toll this will take on the economy, there seems to be one thing for certain: with upcoming elections, many Greeks, especially those in the hardest hit areas, feel that they have been let down by the ruling party.

The Olympics in Athens just a year ago put to rest a timeless notion that Greek infrastructure was inadequate to compete in the European Union. The games were a success, and many walked away impressed with the progress in Greece. But outside Athens, infrastructure is still lacking, and this became apparent with the government's bumbling of the crisis.

Now, as elections loom, the fire crisis poses some potential issues for the ruling party. Critics have been quick to point out that the government did little to help those in need in the short-term. Reports that the government lacked the resources to help battle the fires ran rampant on Greece television. However, in the calm after the disaster, the government has announced an aggressive relief package to help those in need. Estimates put the total aide at about 400M euros, with more on the way from the EU.

The next few months will be an interesting one as Greeks will have some tough decisions at hand; some of which will have lasting effects for generations to come.