Thursday, 11 June 2026

A Bit Shaky

 Time to start the procedure to get our new ID, one of those newfangled digital cards.    Lucky dear daughter Elli is an accountant. She arranged online payment and filled in online details. Accountants now have a lot of extra work dealing with government red tape.  

I was quite nervous about the whole procedure. You know, Police, Authority.  Ridiculous really.  The young man took my old ID card, we had already paid the 10,50 euros next door at the accountants. He took my fingerprints, digitally, no ink involved, took my photo. There was a slight problem with the English translation of my name. On my old ID I was Linta Chrisi instead of Linda Creasy. He asked me if I wanted to correct it on the new card. We chewed over it for a minute or 2, he told me it would need more paperwork. I decided I hadn't had any problems in the last 45 years so I might as well remain Linta. 
He was very friendly and efficient but I was still a little rattled. He asked me a 'security question'. What was the name of my 2nd child. Got that!  Birth date? I froze. Sorry Danae. 
K was sitting outside and yelled out the answer. Phew. A bit embarrassing but I blamed it on my jitters. 
New IDs will be ready in  a week. I don't like Police Stations. They're like Doctors' offices, stress me out and make my blood pressure rise. I'll have to go and sign for it and then I'll be done with them, buckle my seat belt, give way at pedestrian crossings and be a law abiding citizen. Spit spit spit and turn me all around. 
I felt myself relax as we walked out and negotiated the steep steps, very carefully. I'm OK going up steps, it's the coming down that needs care so I don't come down suddenly in a rush and a heap. 
Elli's office is next door so we went in to see her and laugh at my collywobbles. 


On the wall of her office
This monstrosity 
WHERE IS NEW ZEALAND??? 
The world ends at Australia 


And this curiosity 
They have a huge clay pot in their office, a container for olive oil. It looks as though it would hold 500 litres, maybe more 
The office was once a residence. The olive oil jar is empty



The narrow back street on the way up to the Police Station
Butchers shop on the left


The Police Station


I needed a glass of wine after all that! 
Our favourite café 
Mattie, Me and Jan




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10 comments:

  1. New World 11 June 2026 at 02:02

    Will all the elderly people of Greece, your neighbours etc., have got their new id card? It seems like quite a faff and hardly necessary if you don't travel around outside Greece. I know what you mean about hating places like where you had to go for it. I always assume I will have done something wrong. At least the young man seemed sensible with your name and his advice. At least it's done now. Rachel

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    1. local alien11 June 2026 at 02:21

      Rachel, all the older people I've talked to have no intention of getting a new ID. For a start both our police station and the one opposite are up steep steps. Most of them couldn't climb them. And they just don't see any need. We used our id cards a lot in the past for anything important but now we all have a number where all the info is online. I think most people my age and older will just let it slide.

      Delete
    2. New World 11 June 2026 at 02:43

      I thought that would be the case. When I googled it it said that all Greek citizens are required to get this new digital id but I thought, no, I doubt they will.

      Delete
  2. angela11 June 2026 at 05:09

    I’m exactly like that. Any red tape and I get all anxious. I just know things never go smoothly for me. Thankfully hubby and wonder son do it all now
    Yes definitely deserve a drink after all that

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    Replies
    1. local alien11 June 2026 at 06:43

      I was lucky to meet these 2 friends later. K sat there patiently while we nattered and gossiped. I forgot about police stations completely

      Delete
  3. It's a Crazy World11 June 2026 at 15:00

    I'm not sure I would feel comfortable doing all that! It reminds me of when I went to apply for my passport. When I turned it over to the postman (can't mail it in for your first one), he noticed my Mom's name was not Lois, but Lola. So, I ended up renaming my mother, who would be horrified to know. :-)

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    1. local alien12 June 2026 at 03:00

      Everyone over 18 has to have an ID card. I don't mind, tho wish the photo was better. We have a tax number too which contains all the info, except fingerprint and photo. I really don't mind. It's what is done here.
      We are all in the system one way or another

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  4. kiwikid11 June 2026 at 19:23

    I would probably have the same reaction you had!! I remember seeing lots of maps when I was in Europe with NZ missing, sadly.

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    1. local alien12 June 2026 at 03:02

      That's the 2nd map I've seen here this year without NZ. It's a national joke from what I can see. Here we go again lol
      We really are on the far end of the globe

      Delete
  5. Amypie7112 June 2026 at 11:56

    I've seen a few maps here and there over the years where little old New Zealand isn't included, gotta wonder if it's an oversight or whether the map maker doesn't realize there is a country next to Australia, have a nice weekend.

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