Are we turning into Barcelona?

Elli and her partner made the big leap about a decade ago, giving up their jobs in Athens and moving to the Cycladic island where her family was from. It was a massive financial risk because they both worked in the private sector, earning very good salaries and with great prospects of advancement. But they were fed up with life in the city, with the long commutes, the noise, the pollution, the stress. They moved to the island and opened a shop selling top-quality local products in a prime location on the port road. Little did they know that Athens would soon be following them there.

"The road is narrow and barely fits two cars at some points. The traffic jams last all summer, starting early in the morning when the first ferry arrives and lasting well past midnight. It's a terrible situation, with honking horns, spinning wheels, exhaust fumes, arguments and fights between the...