Every summer, when tourist destinations fill visitors, another move takes place almost quietly. Thousands of young people and young people leave their cities and villages for a few months and move to the islands, seeking employment in the tourist economy.
For visitors is the holiday season. To them is the period of work.
Paros is a typical example. An island that in recent years has experienced great tourist development and with it significant changes in its economy, everyday life and social life. Behind the crowded restaurants, beaches and the image of summer destination there is a whole world of workers supporting the tourism industry.
But who are these people? Why do they choose to work the season? What do they get and what do they sacrifice?
The RES-APR records, through a tribute, the stories of some of the people of this generation of the season.
«I wanted to get out of the country.»
Dimitris came to Paros from Farsala. His first contact with the island was almost accidental, through a posting of a friend on social networks.
He was already a waiter for years, but when he arrived in Paros he chose to start with the lanza. He wanted, as he says, to move away for a while from the intensity of his work for about fifteen years.
His evolution was quick. From the lanza he went to the service and today he works as «A» waiter, having taken up much of the requirements of the job.
Paros offers him more than an seasonal income.
«Little sea, little new acquaintances, little money that's good», says features. And he adds that the six months on the island «Clear the mind».
For many young people, after all, the season is not just a way to raise money for winter. It is a way out of small provincial societies that may shrink, from areas where new job opportunities are limited and the population grows old.
From lanza to professional development
The case of Dimitris is not unique.
At a well-known restaurant in Piso Livadi, another Dimitris has been working for the last five years. It started from a lower position and gradually evolved into a base waiter.
He speaks four languages and sees the work on Paros not only as temporary employment but also as a possible step for the future.
His dream is at some point to acquire his own business, and why not, as he says, in Paros itself
At the same time, however, he acknowledges that the life of the seasonal worker has cost. For months he has been away from his place, family, friends and everyday life.
The season offers money, experience and contact with people from around the world. But it also takes time from the life of a young man.
The other side of the season
The quality of working conditions and accommodation is one of the most important issues for tourism workers, especially in islands that are popular destinations such as Paros where there is a great lack of housing for seasonal workers. As a result, some people work in difficult conditions, as they are forced to accept many young people living in a lodging and cleaning themselves, which makes their stay even more complicated.
In Paros, however, there are businesses trying to create better conditions for their staff.
Despina Physilani, third generation of a family business active in Paros since 1964, describes a different philosophy.
«The company employs dozens of workers during the peak period and has accommodation for staff, while providing two meals a day to workers staying in the business».
The most important thing, however, is the attempt to create a relationship that goes beyond the narrow limits of an employer and a worker.
So with these conditions there are workers returning for a second, third or even fourth season in the same business, which is important for a sector where the lack of staff is now one of the main problems.
Tradition versus change
The same company chooses to maintain the traditional identity of Paros in its menu and operation. Despina argues that the aim is not to follow each undertaking's tourist trends, «but maintain details of the identity of the place.»
This view is particularly interesting on an island in recent years facing a deep transformation, with the explosion of so-called «gourme» or a high kitchen, which has ejected the prices. Back Livadi, as described by people who met it years ago, was a small fishing village. Today, Neo Livadi is one of the main tourist destinations of Paros, with hotels, restaurants and intense tourist traffic that resists the loss of tradition.
This change is also recorded by the focus people themselves.
Katerina, a restaurant owner where the second Dimitris works, talks about a place that in five years has changed considerably. Tourist development creates new opportunities, but at the same time alters the image and identity of the place. She points out that she is also trying to support local producers who produce the raw material she uses in her restaurant.
A Parian who works at sea
Royal history is different.
He is from Paros, studies in Karditsa and returns to the island in summers to work as a lifeguard.
It's the second year he's doing the job.
Her choice, she says, is about her love for the sea and her desire to help others.
From the lifeguard tower to Logaras he watches the sea daily, bathers and especially children and older people who may need help. On this beach large waves are often created from the slums of large passenger ships, and so must be very careful. To date, however, he has not been forced to intervene and no accident has occurred on the particular beach he is working on.
She describes work as demanding, but at the same time says that it is the sea that calms it down and makes it want to continue.
A generation between two worlds
People who work seasons are not a single category.
Others come from the province or Athens to raise money. Others seek a new beginning. Others want experience and professional development. Some are locals and return every summer to their island.
Their common element is that for a few months they live at a different pace.
They work when most people vacation.
They see the sea daily, but they are not necessary there to enjoy their vacations.
Paros, like many other Greek islands, relies largely on their own work.
The resulting question is whether this model can continue without creating new imbalances: housing, cost of living, working conditions and ultimately the social life of the islands.
The «generation of the season» is at the same time a workforce, part of the tourist economy and a new generation seeking through the summer a better starting point for the next winter.
And maybe that's the most interesting element in history.
Behind the image of the tourist Paros there are not only visitors.
There are also people who make Paros work.
Source: RES-AE
