New Businesses Open in Wake of European Migrant Crisis

New Businesses Open in Wake of European Migrant Crisis

LESBOS, GREECE—

From human smugglers to bus services to the sellers of life jackets, new businesses have popped up everywhere along the routes migrants take from the Middle East and Africa to Europe.  Near one port in Greece, a new Syrian restaurant caters² to migrants looking for a taste of home after leaving their country, possibly forever. 

In Mytilini, Greece, near the port where migrants depart for their next stop on their way to countries like Germany, there are new businesses serving the needs of the thousands of new customers arriving and leaving the island almost every day.

This Syrian restaurant opened a few months ago. The owner says it was simple economics: many of his customers prefer Arabic food.

"I am from Lesbos and this business is similar to other work that I have done.  But it is the first time that I have opened an Arabic restaurant, which serves solely³ Arab cuisine⁴.  We have other businesses, too, that are cafes, bars, nightclubs on the island," said Damas restaurant owner Veggelis Asvestas.

Among the restaurant staff are Syrian refugees who fled the war years ago, before the flood of people crossing the sea to Europe began last year.

Fleeing war has always been dangerous, they say, but with hundreds of people drowned at sea, it is more deadly than ever.

"I wanted to bring my family, but I told them to stay home and I will send them money and any other help I can.  I would never risk bringing them here now.  It is a big risk," said Syrian chef Gamal Elsaqa.

But local diners say, in some ways, new businesses that cater¹ to migrants are a much-needed cultural exchange on a continent where there is hostility⁵ to the incoming masses from the Middle East and Africa.

"Because it is nice, have nice people, nice service.  It is all OK," said Lesbos resident Panojiotas.

And as more migrants continue to flock to Europe, more businesses catering⁶ to them are expected to thrive.   

1 cater   

vi.(for/to)满足，迎合；(for)提供饮食及服务

参考例句：

• I expect he will be able to cater for your particular needs.我预计他能满足你的特殊需要。
• Most schools cater for children of different abilities.大多数学校能够满足具有不同天资的儿童的需要。

2 caters   

提供饮食及服务( cater的第三人称单数 )； 满足需要，适合

参考例句：

• That shop caters exclusively to the weaker sex. 那家商店专供妇女需要的商品。
• The boutique caters for a rather select clientele. 这家精品店为特定的顾客群服务。

3 solely   

adv.仅仅，唯一地

参考例句：

• Success should not be measured solely by educational achievement.成功与否不应只用学业成绩来衡量。
• The town depends almost solely on the tourist trade.这座城市几乎完全靠旅游业维持。

4 cuisine   

n.烹调，烹饪法

参考例句：

• This book is the definitive guide to world cuisine.这本书是世界美食的权威指南。
• This restaurant is renowned for its cuisine.这家餐馆以其精美的饭菜而闻名。

5 hostility   

n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争

参考例句：

• There is open hostility between the two leaders.两位领导人表现出公开的敌意。
• His hostility to your plan is well known.他对你的计划所持的敌意是众所周知的。

6 catering   

n. 给养

参考例句：

• Most of our work now involves catering for weddings. 我们现在的工作多半是承办婚宴。
• Who did the catering for your son's wedding? 你儿子的婚宴是由谁承办的？