評論
打印
=====精彩回顧===
經濟危機中希臘民眾的真實生活
Greece is grappling with one of the worst economic crisis in history; At the center of this crisis is Athens, where people are starting to panic.
希臘正在其歷史上最嚴重的經濟危機中掙扎。位于危機中心的就是雅典，人們已經開始陷入恐慌。
Rushing to supermarkets, banks, ATMs, gas stations, and more, they attempt to cope with the uncertainty. Hundreds of pensioners line up outside banks to collect their life savings only to be told that their pensions cannot be withdrawn. For those who are lucky enough to find an ATM that still has money left to dispense, the maximum withdrawal is a mere 60 euros… a significant challenge for some of the elderly who do not have credit cards.
匆忙奔向超市，銀行，ATM，加油站以及其他地方，他們試圖填充補給來應對不確定性。數百名領取養老金者在銀行外排隊提取一生的儲蓄，卻被告知不能提取他們的養老金。那些有幸找到ATM的人還可以取錢，但是最大提取金額僅為60歐元。這對于那些沒有信用卡的老年人來說是一個巨大的挑戰。
And for merchants and small shop owners that run their shops on cash only - this means few to no customers - their livelihoods threatened.In stark contrast, shops and supermarkets that do take electronic currency, are flooded with buyers - unable to keep up their shelves stocked. This food grab and panicked response is unfortunately all too familiar... according to the head of a local retailer’s association, "We have the experience from 2011 when the increase from 13 to 23% in food service brought the shutdown of 4,500 enterprises and the loss of 40,000 jobs."
對于只收現金的商人和小型商場老板來說，這意味著沒有顧客——他們的生計受到了威脅。對比鮮明的是，接納電子貨幣的商店和超市則涌滿了顧客——貨架被搶購一空。這種食物搶購和恐慌反應不幸的相似。當地零售業聯盟負責人表示，“2011年我們已經有了類似的經驗，食品供應從13%增加到23%，導致4500個商家倒閉，丟失了4萬個就業崗位。”
This fear has led some to consider leaving their country, but this may be difficult. Gas stations are running out of petroleum and rationing customer’s purchases. In response, the government has made public transportation free, though only in greater Athens. One Athenian laments that,“While emigration will provide a solution of sorts to those with internationally wanted skill-sets, what will happen to those left behind (including septuagenarians like my parents)?” Indeed, for those who choose to stay, the possibility of leaving the Eurozone is cause for concern. A fishmonger fears that Greece “will be an isolated country and even weaker than we are now. I am afraid if we leave (the euro), I won’t be able to give my children the basics.”
這種擔憂導致一些人考慮離開這個國家，但是這或許也比較困難。加油站汽油售罄，向客戶配額銷售。作為回應，政府決定公共交通免費，然而只是在雅典范圍內。一名雅典人悲痛地表示，“盡管對于那些有著國際社會需求的技能的人來說移民是一個不錯的解決方案，但是那些被留下的人（包括像我們的父母那樣的70多歲的人）會怎么樣呢？”實際上，對于那些選擇留下來的人來說，離開歐元區的可能性則是他們擔憂的原因。一名魚販擔憂希臘“會成為孤立的國家，會比現在更加虛弱。我害怕如果我們離開歐元區，我連基本需求都無法提供給我的孩子。”
As a whole,the situation in Athens is reflective of the uncertainty and fear felt throughout the country.Still, some remain hopeful that this situation will be a catalyst for citizen involvement in reform for a better future.Despite its shortcomings, Greece is becoming home to thousands of refugees.
總體來說，雅典的形勢反應了全國范圍的不確定性和恐懼感。然而，一些人仍然抱有希望，這種形勢會催化公民參與改革，以追求更美好的未來。盡管存在缺點，希臘仍然是成千上萬的難民的家。
