If you have not waited for Godot, believe me, he's already here. Waiting to tell you his story in the dank, poorly lit, miserably cleaned, wretchedly designed corridors and sanctae of the official burocracy responsible for the (I wrote orderly, but had to rub it out, there is NO ORDER HERE) determination of the legal status of foreign visitors to the Hellenic Republic. Lovely welcoming Greece, virtually the parent of the consept of hospitality, has a few rules for those who wish to make an extended stay. An application stating the urgency of the need to overstay the allotted months.Ok, fair enough, but this is tightly circumbscribed, as valid reasons do not include any of my useful or fanciful ones, such as "I like it here, I want to stay here to spend more money, or to volunteer to help with humanitarian services for refugees flooding from war zones, or to help Greek students find good educational opportunities,or to share a home with my partner of 50 years, or to write and publish about the local attractions", as these are not acceptable reasons. So a plausible version of a partial truth ( A LIE) must be concocted to fit with the guidelines that accept only urgent medical situations as a valid reason for overstaying the allowed period of 90 days. What fate awaits the overstayer is poorly defined -and it must be stated that the chance of any laws being enforced as written is way less predictable than a crap shoot, but dark hints abound regarding"possible fines of over a thousand euros and disruption of onward travel"...Homer, you romantic bard of decades long adventures we now all call Odysseys, are you paying attention here? CP Cavafy, about those long and fruitful journeys you benignly wish upon us? No Way! the danger to the state is too clear and present for that mythic sensibility.
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