Down and out in rural Greece.

Hard times in the country side of Greece.

Farmer Dimitris Basanos rears his own goats, and grows his own olives to help supply a little taverna that once provided a livelihood for himself and his family. Not anymore.

(SOUNDBITE) (Greek) DIMITRIS BASANOS, FARMER, SAYING:

"I have children and grandchildren - I work through the winter months, in the mud and take our olives for 70 cents. I might as well feed them to the sheep than sell them. But what can I do? Because we can't do this work ourselves we have to hire help and pay their wages." (weeps)

Retired mechanic Ioannis Charadmadas has had enough

(SOUNDBITE) (Greek) IOANNIS CHARAMANDAS, 67, RETIRED MECHANIC SAYING:

"I have been affected 100 percent. 100 percent. I have worked for 42 years why should I not enjoy a good pension. Wouldn't that be nice? What's the reason?

The conservative New Democracy party tells voters they must choose a path to will keep them in the euro currency, while the radical left promises an end to austerity measures. It's a dilemma that will be shared by many when they head to the polls June 17th.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters