So, I have been traveling in Bulgaria and Greece for the last 2 weeks. Of course, I carry my fiddle everywhere. But when I took the bus #1 from Thessaloniki to Katerini at 2:20 last friday, I did not know where to get off and was a bit stressed because no one spoke either french or english. So I left my fiddle in the overhead storage.
Not 2 minutes out I realized fiddle was missing, so took a cab back to Thessaloniki. When I get there, the driver had just left on holidays and people did not want to help me at all. So all they told me is to go back on Monday (tomorrow) morning and ask the driver. I am flying back to canada tomorrow so a friend will go tomorrow morning. Little hope but some at least.
What frustated me the most is that the people of the bus station where of no help at all. They basically told me to go away. I will remember that, but next time, I will still do my best to help anyone in such situation.
I will also take insurance for my fiddle and write a contact address in the case.
So, if anyone in greece sees a fiddle with the initial RWJ on the back just where the neck starts, let me know!
That's so easily done. I've left my mandolin twice in overhead racks but both times managed to race back and retrieve it. Still gives me a sweaty back thinking about it.
I have been is similar situations, fortunately i have not lost anything yet. But i know that cold sinking feeling as you realise its missing. Let us all take note and learn our lesson.
They are contactable by e-mail, phone or post. I don't know if they would do anything on your behalf if you're out of the country they're situated in, but you could do worse than try. Some of the staff at least should know enough Greek to make enquiries of the bus company.
Yes. But we've all done it at times - pronounced on, and maybe slagged off, another nation purely on stereotypes and/or very limited encounters. Certainly best not done, or best grown out of, if it's about being pejorative without some strong specific reason.
Pity the people in the bus office were so unhelpful. But I recall another source of help in Greece - the Tourist Police (if they still exist): they are there to help foreigners with problems, and would certainly have a base in Thessaloniki.
I just did the same thing, except it was my keys and wallet (which are attached to one another) on a London-bound train. The rail services couldn't be more unhelpful if they tried. After spending an hour on the phone calling various numbers and being told to dial one person or another, I got a guy who was just a minion paid to answer phones telling me that the lost luggage services were not open until Monday, sorry. Assuming my keys made it to London at all, I get to figure out how they are going to get back to me. What a load of bollox.
I know this doesn't help you, but it's not just in Greece where people can be f*ckwits about this sort of thing.
I spent a long time in greece and Nicholas is right. In general I think the people in greece are hard to beat for being friendly and welcoming. I love it over there, but you get asses everywhere. You cant generalise a whole nation on the actions of one person. My two cents.
I've left my mandolin by a phone in a tube station once. It's a wonder security didn't have it destroyed. I realised it was missing 10 minutes' walk down the street. On my return 20 minutes later, it was exactly where I'd left it. I expect nobody dared touch it, in case it blew on on them, and nobody dared report it, for fear of looking foolish.
Carabus - I hope you get your fiddle back. Good luck.
I found the people of Thessaloniki very generous and friendly when I busked there once, but the police (not Tourist Police, as far as I know) were quick to arrest me and confiscate my earnings.
If you only hitchhike, you are unlikely to leave anything behind.
Many thanks for the support you all gave me! Yes, there is hope!
I just landed in Canada on sept. 03 at 23:00 (yesterday night). But just before I leave from Sofia airport, I met a Bulgarian friend that got a phone call from my other friend left in Greece saying that he managed to get my fiddle back. Oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!! At first the bus driver said he did not find anything but with a bit of argumentation, my friend got to go see on the bus and found my fiddle. In the case, I had a old fiddle, a bow, rosin but also a half written song. When I finish it, it will get a name like lost in Katerini or something like this.
I am so happy right now! Thanks again for your sympathy sessioners!
Yay for the good news! The ease with which I can imagine this happening to me is why I left my fiddle at home when I went to Ireland. Yeah, there were plenty of times I wished I'd had it with me, but it was just to easy to imagine sitting on the airplane home and realizing I'd left it in a pub somewhere.
Yes, I know it would be more prudent to let the fiddle home... but I have hard time to imagine spending more than few days without playing. Plus, if you never take risks in life, you might miss lot of great experiences.
Next time I go traveling, I bring the fiddle along for sure, there is no question about this.
Good you got your Bulgarian under-cover agent on the job.
I think those guys in the bus station were all plants - yes vegetables! It happened me before and man whatta story! I won't go into it now!
Sad fiddle story
Sad fiddle story
So, I have been traveling in Bulgaria and Greece for the last 2 weeks. Of course, I carry my fiddle everywhere. But when I took the bus #1 from Thessaloniki to Katerini at 2:20 last friday, I did not know where to get off and was a bit stressed because no one spoke either french or english. So I left my fiddle in the overhead storage.
Not 2 minutes out I realized fiddle was missing, so took a cab back to Thessaloniki. When I get there, the driver had just left on holidays and people did not want to help me at all. So all they told me is to go back on Monday (tomorrow) morning and ask the driver. I am flying back to canada tomorrow so a friend will go tomorrow morning. Little hope but some at least.
What frustated me the most is that the people of the bus station where of no help at all. They basically told me to go away. I will remember that, but next time, I will still do my best to help anyone in such situation.
I will also take insurance for my fiddle and write a contact address in the case.
So, if anyone in greece sees a fiddle with the initial RWJ on the back just where the neck starts, let me know!
# Posted on September 2nd 2007 by Dr.Carabus
Re: Sad fiddle story
Sorry for your loss, mon ami. Hope it turns up soon.
# Posted on September 2nd 2007 by Here Lyeth
Re: Sad fiddle story
That's so easily done. I've left my mandolin twice in overhead racks but both times managed to race back and retrieve it. Still gives me a sweaty back thinking about it.
# Posted on September 2nd 2007 by sergeant fox
Re: Sad fiddle story
I have been is similar situations, fortunately i have not lost anything yet. But i know that cold sinking feeling as you realise its missing. Let us all take note and learn our lesson.
# Posted on September 2nd 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: Sad fiddle story
Maybe going to the British Consul is the best thing, if one has the luxury of time. There is one in Thessaloniki as well as other places in Greece:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet.Front?pagename=0
They are contactable by e-mail, phone or post. I don't know if they would do anything on your behalf if you're out of the country they're situated in, but you could do worse than try. Some of the staff at least should know enough Greek to make enquiries of the bus company.
# Posted on September 2nd 2007 by nicholas
Re: Sad fiddle story
So sorry for your loss carabus. I hope your fried can get it back for you!
Sara
# Posted on September 2nd 2007 by Celtic Lass
Re: Sad fiddle story
friggin Greeks
# Posted on September 2nd 2007 by Kheelch
Re: Sad fiddle story
That kind of generalisation demeans you and anyone who does not refute it.
# Posted on September 2nd 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: Sad fiddle story
I both endorse and refute it, from first-hand experience. Some Greeks are friggin, many more are the salt of the earth. I lived there for a year.
# Posted on September 2nd 2007 by nicholas
Re: Sad fiddle story
Sure, but were I to make a comment about 'Americans', or 'The Irish' would not such a generalisation be rightly condemned ?
# Posted on September 2nd 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: Sad fiddle story
Yes. But we've all done it at times - pronounced on, and maybe slagged off, another nation purely on stereotypes and/or very limited encounters. Certainly best not done, or best grown out of, if it's about being pejorative without some strong specific reason.
Pity the people in the bus office were so unhelpful. But I recall another source of help in Greece - the Tourist Police (if they still exist): they are there to help foreigners with problems, and would certainly have a base in Thessaloniki.
# Posted on September 2nd 2007 by nicholas
Re: Sad fiddle story
You could try posting here, in the missing instruments forum:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewforum.php?f=22
I dunno how much use that forum is, but it can't hurt.
# Posted on September 2nd 2007 by seisflutes
Re: Sad fiddle story
I just did the same thing, except it was my keys and wallet (which are attached to one another) on a London-bound train. The rail services couldn't be more unhelpful if they tried. After spending an hour on the phone calling various numbers and being told to dial one person or another, I got a guy who was just a minion paid to answer phones telling me that the lost luggage services were not open until Monday, sorry. Assuming my keys made it to London at all, I get to figure out how they are going to get back to me. What a load of bollox.
I know this doesn't help you, but it's not just in Greece where people can be f*ckwits about this sort of thing.
# Posted on September 2nd 2007 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Sad fiddle story
By the way, this happened yesterday (Saturday). The planets must be out of alignment.
# Posted on September 3rd 2007 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Sad fiddle story
I was just joking. I'm sure it could happen anywhere if you meet the right or wrong people.
# Posted on September 3rd 2007 by Kheelch
Re: Sad fiddle story
Kheelch, your "joke" wasn't at all funny. Think twice before you click send, eh?
# Posted on September 3rd 2007 by Will Harmon
Re: Sad fiddle story
I spent a long time in greece and Nicholas is right. In general I think the people in greece are hard to beat for being friendly and welcoming. I love it over there, but you get asses everywhere. You cant generalise a whole nation on the actions of one person. My two cents.
# Posted on September 3rd 2007 by session savage
Re: Sad fiddle story
friggin Earthings
# Posted on September 3rd 2007 by Piece
Re: Sad fiddle story
Just kidding!!
# Posted on September 3rd 2007 by Piece
Re: Sad fiddle story
I've left my mandolin by a phone in a tube station once. It's a wonder security didn't have it destroyed. I realised it was missing 10 minutes' walk down the street. On my return 20 minutes later, it was exactly where I'd left it. I expect nobody dared touch it, in case it blew on on them, and nobody dared report it, for fear of looking foolish.
Carabus - I hope you get your fiddle back. Good luck.
# Posted on September 3rd 2007 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Sad fiddle story
What are Earthings?
# Posted on September 3rd 2007 by ethical blend
Re: Sad fiddle story
Things you stick in your ears?
# Posted on September 3rd 2007 by Here Lyeth
Re: Sad fiddle story
NameChangesetc - Now if that had been a *bodhran* you had left behind, there would be a very good reason why it would still be there 20 minutes later
Crabus - I do hope the fiddle turns up
# Posted on September 3rd 2007 by domhnall.
Re: Sad fiddle story
It was in a case - perhaps people left it because they couldn't be absolutely sure it wasn't a bodhran.
# Posted on September 3rd 2007 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Sad fiddle story
That's long enough for it to have lots of little baby bodhrans, and scuttle off to a dark seedy bar with them all clinging to its back.
But maybe this hypothetical bodhran was a dead one, or a sloughed-off husk.
# Posted on September 3rd 2007 by nicholas
Re: Sad fiddle story
I found the people of Thessaloniki very generous and friendly when I busked there once, but the police (not Tourist Police, as far as I know) were quick to arrest me and confiscate my earnings.
If you only hitchhike, you are unlikely to leave anything behind.
# Posted on September 3rd 2007 by oldstrings
Re: Sad fiddle story
My keys and wallet returned.
Sometimes good things do happen. It was really going to suck sorting out a new driver's license whilst abroad.
Maybe there is hope for your fiddle yet!
# Posted on September 4th 2007 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Sad fiddle story-- Good news!!!
Many thanks for the support you all gave me! Yes, there is hope!
I just landed in Canada on sept. 03 at 23:00 (yesterday night). But just before I leave from Sofia airport, I met a Bulgarian friend that got a phone call from my other friend left in Greece saying that he managed to get my fiddle back. Oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!! At first the bus driver said he did not find anything but with a bit of argumentation, my friend got to go see on the bus and found my fiddle. In the case, I had a old fiddle, a bow, rosin but also a half written song. When I finish it, it will get a name like lost in Katerini or something like this.
I am so happy right now! Thanks again for your sympathy sessioners!
# Posted on September 4th 2007 by Dr.Carabus
Re: Sad fiddle story
Brilliant news!
# Posted on September 4th 2007 by Here Lyeth
Re: Sad fiddle story
Yay for the good news! The ease with which I can imagine this happening to me is why I left my fiddle at home when I went to Ireland. Yeah, there were plenty of times I wished I'd had it with me, but it was just to easy to imagine sitting on the airplane home and realizing I'd left it in a pub somewhere.
# Posted on September 4th 2007 by hotsauce
Re: Happy fiddle story
Yes, I know it would be more prudent to let the fiddle home... but I have hard time to imagine spending more than few days without playing. Plus, if you never take risks in life, you might miss lot of great experiences.
Next time I go traveling, I bring the fiddle along for sure, there is no question about this.
# Posted on September 4th 2007 by Dr.Carabus
Re: Sad fiddle story
Thank goodness for that. Great that you got it back.
# Posted on September 4th 2007 by ethical blend
Re: Sad fiddle story
Good you got your Bulgarian under-cover agent on the job.
I think those guys in the bus station were all plants - yes vegetables! It happened me before and man whatta story! I won't go into it now!
# Posted on September 6th 2007 by doggone