With particular joy I read an article in a newspaper, regarding the encroachment of public areas in Germany, and the founding of an organization called “Black Caviar," whose main motto is, “Sand for All."

Residents in Hamburg founded the organization to claim free access to the banks of the river Elba, because with the local government’s knowledge there are beach front entertainment centres being built, resulting in the locals losing access to this beautiful river and not being able to walk by it without hassles.

As I read the article, the picture of the majority of the Greek, and especially of the Cretan, coasts, came to mind, and the abuse they have suffered in the name of development. They apparently want people drinking their frappes on plastic chairs smack right on the surf.  

Malia-Hersonissos-Gouves . . . the trio that kills. And it’s a nightmarish picture. Plastic wind-sheltering devices, dark brown chairs to tie in with the environment and glasses with frappes or freddos on the matching tables.

And, of course, if there is a hotel you can forget the access to the beach.

What does all this mean? That in order to gain access to any beach you must go through all these obstacles and spend money for the coffees. So, why mention it now when the accesses have been encroached upon and been diminishing for years now? Well, some people have been complaining for years now.

Now another summer season will begin shortly and, with the economic crisis upon us, there is hunger in the horizon.  

In this difficult period, we owe it to ourselves to reassess. Rather than complain individually, let’s start an association. We can call it “the Waves of the Danube” and get back some “free” space for the people!