I have held a license since 2010 but have been practicing driving for the past 15 months with pride and prejudice.
Pride
In my effort to cope with the demands of the K.O.K. and to reach my every destination, and I made mistakes, and I didn’t know the roads (because the urban planning of Patras is known to be complex after all…), and I was going with 30, and I couldn’t park between two cars (definition of shame on the smart), and I threw a bucket, and I crashed with my smart (coming out unscathed from this ordeal), and I was chased by an unruly cyclist who surprisingly managed to catch up with me, and I ran a red light on a night when it wasn’t raining because I thought the one behind me wanted to fight me, but he turned to Venizelou and I continued my course undisturbed to Akti Demaion. And yet….I never thought to double park to make it easier on myself.
As a new driver, I was not comfortable with the idea of driving to the center of Patras and subjecting myself to the process of finding parking. No matter how many times I tried, I always took aimless walks without knowing where to go (yes, I don’t know the center of Patras well, I’m ignorant and shameless) to end up either parking in a private parking lot or leaving it somewhere far away and I see it as an occasion for a walk.
Despite the difficulties I faced, I always tried like a proper European citizen who respects himself and those around him, not to make it difficult for other drivers and most importantly? I NEVER thought to double park to make it easier on myself…
Prejudice, part 1
A familiar scenario and it has happened to all the drivers of our small coastal town that is washed by the Gulf of Patras: you drive with all your being and mental state on central and off-road roads, but also on boulevards, and you realize that the otherwise double road has suddenly and magically become a one-way street, contributing of course to traffic jams where no one gets excited, but also to your mental health. After all, double parking is a sign of superior culture. You know, in modern societies, urban planning, the airport, and how prudent the drivers are, say a lot about the prosperity and culture of a country.
At this point I want to clarify. On Saturday, April 20, 2024 at around 9:45 in the evening, on Papaflessa, as I was crossing the road with my smart car to go up to Ypsilon Alonia square, a profoundly intelligent gentleman had the brilliant idea to park against my current so that his passenger can eat her crepe, not caring if I, and every me, can pass (I have witnesses to the event). No.. that thought definitely did not cross his humble mind. Why would he even think about it… we live in Greece.
On Monday, April 22 in the morning at 09.05 on Gounari avenue, a young man (a classic case of impairment of various ages, at any time of the day), crosses the street undisturbed, looking from the side where no cars pass (I pass this without bothering…) without noticing him. he is interested if there were cars passing by in the direction HE HAD TO LOOK (good time me). The most touching thing of all is that no matter how much you honk at them to warn them and avoid any mishaps, it doesn’t sound the alarm and they continue to cross the streets like characters from the walking dead.
Not to mention that many drivers and pedestrians, while waiting for you to pass, decide at the last minute to cross the road when you are 50 meters away! It’s really quite touching the combination of low iq, individualism and indifference that accompany some people at times like this.
I consider it unnecessary to mention that the concept of “flashing to inform the rear driver that I’m going” or “honking” to warn people that I’m going to park, are now rare phenomena.
Prejudice, Part 2
2 months ago I was stopped by the traffic police for the first time to check me, near Tabahana. For the residents of the area, the haunts: Tabachana and Marangkopoulou are well known. As a knight of the asphalt that I am not, I had all the necessary documents with me, with my insurances and my road tax paid. Almost ecstatic from the quarter-long process, I left to head to my workplace. And I can’t say, the guys very kindly, after finding nothing to blame me for giving me a call, they said “it’s ok ma’am”, I in turn felt old, everything was great and we went on with our lives.
Another well-known square to check is Psilalonia. How much irony to fit in one street! I have passed many times outside the Abbey (we said, I don’t know the streets, I’m telling you about restaurants) to go to Papaflessa and I’ve managed to get the traffic police to write, when right on the road below on the right which has a yellow line (commonly no parking) it is full of parked cars, and it is understood that you are in danger if you turn and a car passes from the street.
And my question rightly arises: Why does the traffic police go to specific road points and does not start writing all the double parking spaces that are either right next to it, or on many main streets of Patras, something that is known and a simple ride with a patrol car is enough for someone to see where the double parking takes place? Why; A reason that torments every conscientious citizen and driver.
Is it time for the municipality to provide for additional parking spaces?
Should drivers stop acting as individualists regardless of whether they obstruct drivers or pedestrians?
Should pedestrians also be more careful?
Maybe the traffic police should do a better job? (yes yes, I blurted it out! haters gonna hate, but I don’t care)
Is it time to throw out the subculture that rules our nation and become less “Greek”?
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