Rie Albertsen, perhaps better known to some Hydra old-timers as Rie Goldman, passed away unexpectedly on 2 October. Her daughters Helle and Johanne (“Hanne”) tell us that she suffered a heart attack the previous day, as she strode to work early in the morning with her usual vigour. Rie first came to Hydra early in 1966 and lived there on and off (mostly on) until 1972. In May this year, she returned after an absence of four decades. She stayed in the familiar home of a dear friend, high up on the mountain, with Kamini spread out below the old house and Ghika’s ruin just across the hillside. Rie was overjoyed to be back, say her children. She relished the warm smooth stones under her bare feet and the softly clunking goat bells—and all the other sounds, sights, tastes and smells she had been missing for so many years. Even the maddening racket of the drilling down in Kamini made her laugh as it evoked amusing memories of the vagaries of how things are done on the Rock. Deeply moved – uplifted – by the wonderfully warm reception old friends and new acquaintances gave her, Rie was happily planning future visits to Hydra when her life was cut short, without warning. Johanne and Helle have asked that we post this card.

Talk about a hypocritical incident which highlights the stark contrast in ways of combating the country’s economic plight. Hydra made international news this month when a  taverna owner got into a rhubarb with the local law for not supposedly producing some receipts for tax purposes.

What was achieved?

Her son was hauled in her place down to the constabulary which rallied the islanders into supporting her and laying “siege” to the police station, cutting power and water.
Who in turn summoned reinforcements, and the cavalry in full Kevlar and riot gear arrived from Athens on a naval ship.
Hydriotes allegedly stormed the ferry which was to escort the ‘criminal’ off island in retaliation, and some scuffling may have occurred. (The exact sequence of events is not relevant, as of course there are variations’ depending who is narrating their side of the saga).
The media constructed its usual storm in a teacup out of the event, but there is a deep underlying reason matters went so far.
It was pointed out that this was a matter about some supposed minor tax evasion, but how much in tax payer money was sent to bring in the navy and troops?

No Comment !!

There are those too who point out that this is why the whole skirmish took place. That in fact the long arm of the law should not have been hounding small dining establishments but investigating the likes of huge suspicious mansions being constructed on the island with doubtful licenses and dubious legality, or indeed the row of luxury yachts bobbing behind the line of white helmets.