Yes, it's a real shame. I was talking with a friend today and we recalled swimming at a beach near Parga. We soon came out of the water when we realized that the beautiful ocean was full of plastic bags and garbage. The stuff apparently comes from the cruise ships and ferries; sometimes it gets washed out to sea and other times it comes towards the beach. You don't see it usually because it gets picked up on the beach, but in the water...yuchh!
I am also discouraged when I see garbage thrown over the cliffs on the mainland and in Crete.
I have a huge interest in traditional Greek (village) culture, and it's a real contrast when you listen to some of the old folksongs talk about the land, and people's relationship to it. Greeks are so proud of their culture and homeland, so it's really surprising that the country seems behind in some ways in terms of environmental and ecological conscience. The wordwide visibility of the Olympics in 2004 did something to raise awareness, but more is needed. Let's hope it comes soon.
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