Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a bookmaker in Gerakas is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I hit up the local café on Kifisias Street. Best coffee in town, no cap. I order my usual, a double espresso, and the barista, Maria, gives me that look. You know the one. Like, “You again?” But hey, I’m a regular, what can I say? I grab my cup and head to the shop.
As I’m walking down Agiou Dimitriou, I see this dude, right? He’s pacing back and forth, looking all stressed. Turns out, he’s a punter who lost big last night. I mean, like, he bet on a snail race. A SNAIL RACE! Who does that? I couldn’t help but laugh. I told him, “Bro, you gotta pick better races!” He just glares at me. Classic.
So, I get to my shop on Kifisias, and it’s packed. Everyone’s buzzing about the big football match later. I’m like, “Alright, let’s make some money!” But then, bam! My computer crashes. Just like that. I’m staring at the screen like it’s gonna magically fix itself. Nope. I’m sweating bullets. I can’t take bets without my system.
I run to the tech guy down on Agios Nikolaos Street. This guy, I swear, he’s a wizard with computers. But today? He’s busy fixing his own mess. I’m like, “Dude, I need you NOW!” He just shrugs. I’m about to lose it.
Finally, he helps me out. I rush back, and the place is still packed. People are shouting, “I want to bet!” “Where’s my money?” It’s chaos. I’m trying to keep my cool, but inside, I’m like a pressure cooker.
Then, outta nowhere, my buddy Nikos walks in. He’s got this wild idea to host a betting pool for the match. I’m like, “Nikos, you genius!” We set it up, and suddenly, everyone’s in. The energy shifts. People are laughing, high-fiving. It’s like a mini-party in my shop.
But then, I get a call. It’s my mom. She’s freaking out about some cat stuck in a tree on Kifisias. I’m like, “Mom, I’m kinda busy here!” But she’s relentless. “You’re a bookmaker, not a cat rescuer!” I can’t help but chuckle.
As the match kicks off, the tension is insane. Everyone’s glued to the screen. I’m pacing, checking the odds, and then—GOAL! The place erupts. People are hugging, shouting, and I’m just standing there, soaking it all in. This is why I love my job.
But then, the other team scores. Silence. You could hear a pin drop. I’m sweating again. I can’t take this! I’m pacing, thinking, “Why do I do this to myself?”
Finally, the match ends, and it’s a tie. Everyone’s bummed, but I’m like, “Hey, at least you didn’t bet on snails!” They laugh, and I feel that relief wash over me.
As the crowd thins out, I’m cleaning up. I look around my shop, and it hits me. This chaos, this energy, it’s what makes Gerakas special. The streets, the people, the unexpected moments. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
So, I head home, exhausted but happy. I pass by the park on Agios Georgios, and there’s a couple dancing. Just living their best life. I smile. Tomorrow’s another day, and who knows what’ll happen next? But for now, I’m just glad I survived today.