Friday, May 28, 2010

Robbed again

There are times when my life seems more like an endurance test than anything else. Just when you think that you've got over once crisis or another something else comes along and once again hits you for six. Last night my flat was burgled and while I was asleep somebody managed to open the balcony door and stole cameras, my hard disc, mobile phone and all the cash I had saved up to see my through the summer months.

I reported the crime to the police and the forensics guy came around to take fingerprints. It took all my powers of self control not to leave the place whilst waiting for him to arrive. I just couldn't stand the thought of being there knowing what had happened, different scenarios go through my mind and I shudder to think if this had happened over the weekend when Lydia, my daughter usually comes to stay.

I must have slept especially heavily last night, perhaps the result of the fact that I had to push my Vespa halfway across town yesterday after the clutch died on my. Pushing 120kg of dead scooter in 30C heat is enough to take it out of you.

Twice in less than six months I have had all my camera equipment stolen and this time they even took the hard disc with months worth of work on it. The only pictures that I still have are those which I uploaded to Flickr, a tiny fraction of the total. This has hit my hardest of all, that and the fact that I don't know how I'm going to get through the next months. I have just 20 euros in my pocket, givento me by a friendly neighbour. What I'm going to do about the rent this month or the other bills that I was planning to pay off this week I do not know.

I don't think I can go on living like this tottering from one disaster to another and as a result I'm seriously thinking about whether I have any kind of future here in Greece.

Update

Thanks to everyone who has got in contact with messages of sympathy and offers of help. If you feel like you would like to help donations can be made via Paypal.
using this email.

cpwefl2003@hotmail.com

16 comments:

artemis said...

i have started a thread in the bookcrossing forum for help, let's see if people show up. http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/28/432832 and also sent personal messages to members via twitter. id' like to help you out, you can add me on twitter as anastasia_57001 and pm me. I live in thessaloniki.

Anonymous said...

wow..this is the Second Robbery . Lets hope that people are really generous again and help supplement you with paypal payments.

Anonymous said...

I am really sorry to hear about your problems, I know sometimes it's very hard to cope.
Please allow me to say though that thieves break in houses all over the world, not just Greece.
If there is anything I can do to help dm me on twitter @Eirantmak

sofia said...

I've been there - pushing a dead scooter (check), smn stealing while I am sleeping (check), no money (check check). Hang in there - there are people who care about you and your work. You never really get over the sense of injustice but this too will pass.

I'm spreading the word re. Paypal

deviousdiva said...

I know everything must seem quite hopeless at the moment but please don't rush to make any decisions in the heat of the moment. You have built an amazing life here and a great community of friends (many who have never met you but care very much what happens to you)

If you do decide to leave, you will be greatly missed by so many people. If I could help on a practical level, believe me I would. Sadly, all I can do is offer my support. Email me if you want to talk. Take care and know that Flux and I are thinking of you and hoping your luck changes, starting right now.

greek_bear said...

Sorry sorry to hear about your trouble. Hang in there. We're going to help out and spread the word(Alex and Jeff from Chicago)

chitubajeff said...

We really need the comments, pictures, and reports that you post on what is happening, but of course you need to decide to do what is best for you. Thank you so much for all you have been doing. It's hard at this moment, but there is much to love about living in Greece too! All the best (Jeff in Chicago)

teacher dude said...

First I'd like to say thanks for everyone who has sent messages of support and help. It really does make all the difference when dealing with situations like this.

I'd also like to thank all my friends here in Thessaloniki who've rallied round. It's in times like this that their friendship makes all the difference.

Stav said...

Chin Up mate. Just sent my small contribution via Paypal. Hope it all comes right. Keep up the fight.

Anonymous said...

Really sorry to hear about this - it's got to have an effect, just really hope it doesn't change your path...

Have Paypaled you, not much, but hopefully lots of people will do the same! You're a valued internet dude, doing good stuff, so please keep on keeping on, and next time you're in Bristol I'll buy you a drink :-)

andzer said...

so sorry for this my friend.
yesterday I was thinking of you (I didn't know about this), seeking to see you around at Urban fest..
I share the same feelings with all your friends here, Chin Up!

Anonymous said...

As sad as this story is, I can not help but wonder, why didn't you have (at least) your equipment insured? I know, no use in crying over spilt milk but someone who uses cameras to make a living should have this covered.
All in all, I still hope they catch the bastards who did this.

kouk said...

@skyfreak: I don't think photography is TeacherDude's day job. He's a teacher remember? But in any case yeah, I think I would be thinking of insurance if I were in his place right now.

@teacherdude: I'm so sorry this has happened to you, twice! I wrote a piece on my blog about this and also about a similar, but crucially different, experience of mine. My bag was stolen two days ago in Switzerland but I was alerted just in time to chase the robber and get it back. Laptop, phone, camera, passport would all have been lost. So I'm more than sorry, I'm actually angry that this has happened to you (as it could have happened to me). I just sent in some money and I sincerely hope enough people support you so you can keep living the life you want here in Greece.

Anonymous said...

Hey TD,

I've paypalled you something too. Hang in there...

Paul

vampiri said...

i'm so sorry!:/ on of the best photographers in thessaloniki,now with no equipment and no money...:/
i hope things will be better soon!would you mine if i copy your text in my blog,so that more people can see it?

vampiri said...

mind*