Greece - Korina Miller [597]
The biggest nuisance to foreign women travelling alone is the guys the Greeks have nicknamed kamaki. The word means ‘fishing trident’ and refers to the kamaki’s favourite pastime: ‘fishing’ for foreign women. You’ll find them everywhere there are lots of tourists: young (for the most part), smooth-talking guys who aren’t in the least bashful about sidling up to women in the street. They can be very persistent, but they are usually a hassle rather than a threat. The majority of Greek men treat foreign women with respect, and are genuinely helpful.
Return to beginning of chapter
WORKING
EU nationals don’t need a work permit, but they need a residency permit and a Greek tax file number if they intend to stay longer than three months. Nationals of other countries are supposed to have a work permit.
Bar & Hostel Work
The bars of the Greek islands could not survive without foreign workers and there are thousands of summer jobs up for grabs every year. The pay is not fantastic, but you get to spend a summer in the islands. April and May are the times to go looking. Hostels and travellers hotels are other places that regularly employ foreign workers.
English Tutoring
If you’re looking for a permanent job, the most widely available option is to teach English. A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate or a university degree is an advantage but not essential. In the UK, look through the Times educational supplement or Tuesday’s edition of the Guardian newspaper for opportunities; in other countries, contact the Greek embassy.
Another possibility is to find a job teaching English once you are in Greece. You will see language schools everywhere. Strictly speaking, you need a licence to teach in these schools, but many will employ teachers without one. The best time to look around for such a job is late summer.
The noticeboard at the Compendium in Athens sometimes has advertisements looking for private English lessons.
Street Performance
The richest pickings are found on the islands, particularly Mykonos, Paros and Santorini. Plaka is the place to go in Athens; the area outside the church on Kydathineon is the most popular spot.
Volunteer Work
There are lots of opportunities to volunteer in Greece. Here are a few of the options:
Earth Sea & Sky (www.earthseasky.org) Conservation and research based in the Ionian Islands.
Hellenic Society for the Study & Protection of the Monk Seal (Map; 210 522 2888; fax 210 522 2450; Solomou 53, Exarhia, Athens) Volunteers are used for monitoring programs on the Ionian Islands.
Hellenic Wildlife Hospital (Elliniko Kentro Perithalpsis Agrion Zoön; 22970 28367; www.ekpaz.gr, in Greek; 10am-7pm) Welcomes volunteers in Aegina, particularly during the winter months. For more information Click here.
Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece (Map; /fax 210 523 1342; www.archelon.gr; Solomou 57, Exarhia, Athens) Monitor turtles on the Peloponnese.
WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms; www.wwoof.org/independents.asp) Volunteer at one of around 35 farms in Greece.
Other Work
There are often jobs advertised in the classifieds of English-language newspapers, or you can place an advertisement yourself if you wish. EU nationals can also make use of the Organismos Apasholiseos Ergatikou Dynamikou (OAED), which is the Greek National Employment Service, in their search for employment. The OAED has offices throughout the country.
Seasonal harvest work is handled by migrant workers from Albania and other Balkan nations, and is no longer a viable option for travellers.
Return to beginning of chapter
Transport
* * *
CONTENTS
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Entering the Country
Air
Land
Sea
GETTING AROUND
Air
Bicycle
Boat
Bus
Car & Motorcycle
Hitching
Local Transport
Tours
Train
* * *
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Flights, tours and rail tickets can be booked online at www.lonelyplanet.com/travel_services.
Return to beginning of chapter
ENTERING THE COUNTRY
Visitors to Greece with EU passports are rarely afforded more than a cursory glance.