First of all, something about the ride itself. It was a beautiful drive near the airport. According to George—the driver—a year or two ago the ride would have taken an hour. Now, with the economic collapse, and the attendant drop in traffic, it only took 25 or 30 minutes.

 

George's situation seemed particularly dire. At age 40 he's been forced to move back in with his parents, after seeing his wages collapse 75 percent during the crisis. His brother is divorced, has two kids, and has been unemployed for a year.

Just hearing about all that is depressing enough, but his assessment of things was terrible.

Athens, he said, is now like a 'ghost city.'

"You don't see anyone smile ... only the crazy people"

"The good days are over," he said, and it sounded like he thought they were over for good.