Link 45 by NGO K.A.NE.

Link 45 September 2013

EDITORIAL We are happy to announce that the Youth Center of Kalamata is finally opening its doors for registrations again on the 16th of September. The new international team of volunteers cannot wait to swing in the vibrant rhythm of new exciting activities and workshops that we have prepared in collaboration with the local volunteers for the members of the center. We feel honored and inspired by the enthusiasm and devotion of the locals who have paved the way for us by having generously offered their skills and knowledge to the community for years. 2

All in all, the two weeks since you last heard from us have passed in the spirit of excitement as our new volunteers have been adding the final touches to the new programme, and looking forward to seeing you on the 16th! ta leme!

Editor: Amaia Vilas Design: Lina Šuminaitė Staff Members Of Kane: Filaretos Vourkos Fotini Arapi Georgia Giannakea Panagiota Arapi Giwrgos Housenbelli Cover Photo: Amaia Vilas Long Term Evs: Jelena Scepanovič Leonard Pristl Melina Savvidis Fiachra Mckeever Carmelo Márquez Eda Tandoğan Ahmad Ayyash Amaia Vilas Erika Funa Lina Šuminaitė

Tel: +302721110740 e-mail:

amaiavilasarasua@gmail.com; info@ngokane.org url:

http://www.kentroneon.wordpress.com http://www.ngokane.org facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/kentroneon

WORKSHOPS 2013-2014 New year in the Youth Centre 7) Greek traditional dances and we are pleased to an8) Salsa for children nounce that until now we offer the following workshops. Other 1) Yoga Language exchange workshops 2) Music and movement for 1) Russian children 2) Arabic 3) Music and movement for 3) Turkish (starting in the teenagers middle of October) 4) Guitar for children 4) Lithuanian 5) Guitar 5) Slovenian 6) Choir 6) Spanish 7) Art Workshop 7) German 8) Workshop on the culture 8) Georgian of Flamenco 9) English (discussion group) 9) Chess workshop 10) Greek Sign Language 10) Lute 11) Greek for foreigners 11) Muai Thai 12) Experiential Groups Dances 1) Salsa Registrations take place ev2) Latin (cuban style – meery Monday, Tuesday and rengue, bachata, rumba, sal- Wednesday from 17.00 to sa, κτλ) 21.00. 3) Ηip-Ηop (advanced) 4) R&B (for children 6-12 For more information, visit: years old) http://www.kentroneon.wordpress.com 5) Contemporary dance 6) Oriental 4

ΜΙΚΡΕΣ ΑΓΓΕΛΙΕΣ With the Youth Centre opening again its doors to the public, for the 5th year, there are still some things, where we could use your help!!! For the beginning of the workshops, and throughout the year, the Youth Centre needs:

* CHAIRS

Strange as it may sound, the Youth Center is in need of chairs! As the Youth Centre acquires more and more members, and the use of the chairs is extensive, our poor old chairs are breaking down. As it is, it is impossible to have all the chairs that the workshops need. If you have any chairs that you do not use, or you think that you can spare, you can bring them!

* PENS

You can never have enough of those!

* COMPUTERS

Unfortunately, the Youth Centre at the moment has only 1 working (almost) computer to be used in the info-point. Temporarily, and only for the registrations, volunteers of the Youth Centre have brought their computers from home… however, eventually they will need them back… We need at * MARKERS for the white least 1 more computer to be used in the dance workshops board As all of the language work- and 1 more for the outside acshops make use of the white tivities… :( board, we consume approximately 3 markers per week! 5

NEW VOLUNTEERS ARRIVING My name is Eda Tandoğan. I come from Istanbul Turkey. Nobody can believe when I tell them my age, they say to me you look like a high school student but I am 21 years old. I am a university student in Turkey and in my last year now. My department is economics. I have volunteered at a NGO since my second year of university. The organisation is called Young Guru Academy. I really love volunteering. I have worked with disabled people and children. I tend to get homesick a lot but I love Kalamata and my volunteer friends here. You will be

able to see me in the next 9 months trying to ride my bike in the streets of this city.

Hi, I am Ahmad Ayyash from Jordan, Jordan is a small country in middle east , I am 22 years old and I have been finish my studying this summer, I studied

civil engineer for 5 years, I love chess so much, football, boxing, tennis, and every sport. I choose to be volunteer in Kalamata- Greece because it’s a wonderful country I heard a lot of Greece of my friends that they

visit Greece, and I love Greece because they have a good sea and because it similar to my country also. My EVS is 9 months, I’ll try to be active in this duration and my plan for the soon future is to teach Arabic and make a chess club in the youth center Finally, it’s a pleaser to be here and I hope to learn and have new experience.

personal projects one is to participate in a NGO for the Cooperation to the Development. But, everything is a not serious thing. Like good Spanish, I love

‫اركش‬ My name is Carmelo Márquez. I am from Cadiz, a city of Andalusia, in the south of Spain. I’m 25 years old and I have finished my career in journalism. So, my expectations now are to travel everywhere, to live many experiences, to absorb all the knowledge possible and, finally, to be a good international reporter that makes an authentic and honest journalism. That is my dream. That is what I want to do during all my life: to help to people through the information, an aspiration that begins here, in Kalamata. Also, over the years, I have understood that what really I like is to help. For this reason, between my

flamenco, football (my team is F. C. Barcelona), sea and his waves, information technologies, philosophy, literature, music... Heretical, romanticist and flamenco that tries to change the world through journalism and International Cooperation. So, that I am: a person that against everything searches for the truth of things. I hope to find (and so it will be) much truth in Greece during the next nine months. 7

M P RE S S I O S

Heat - Sleeping –Tiredness Ruhe – siga siga - Frappe Coolness - siga siga – Alcohol – Cigarettes - Reggae Openmindness – Family - Languages Clear citystructure - Bikeroad Sea – Beach – biting fishes – Mosquitoes Food – Ice cream – Grapes – Pites - everytime By: Melina

I am here for 5 days and my imprison is very good, I think my imprison to Greece is to good because it look like my country and everything here is peaceful

I think I will have many adventure here and more challenges that I think I can deal with it, in the last two days ago I went to the tree house, it’s a new experience, I have more fun and learned from the other volunteer, and I went to (Hoba beach) it’s amazing beach I have a lot of fun and Amaia give the first lesson to swim, it’s a good adventure. The flatmate are amazing and the other volunteer in youth center are very nice and peaceful, and the Greek citizens are so nice and helpful I learn many words from Greek citizen. I have so imprison about design building it’s a real art to make a building like this

And the sky with stars empres- here, in Kalamata, were very difing me every time I look at it ferent. About the people, about the spontaneous group of volunteers created around KANE, impressions could not be better. Sure, of course there are people with what you get along better than others, but no one here can speak ill of anyone. Moreover, this is the most important when you get to a place, so that the word “great” falls short. However, the climate (high humidity), fatigue for the travel, ignorance about a language, doubt Soft music give me a special en- on make something… make you ergy feel a little bad and make everything you see with the “glasses” wrong during the first day. This is normal and inevitable, and if anyone has some responsibility it is myself. Have already passed some days from those first sensations and all the expectations are been satisfied. Every day, I am better and everything thanks By: Ahmad to the fantastic ambiance that there is in the organization and the town. I’m sure that what I write here will be very similar to many vol- By: Carmelo unteers. First impressions of a place, a person or a time are important for learning but not definitive. My first impressions

ON-ARRIVAL SEMINAR IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN TREEHOUSES By: Fiachra We were invited to join the short-term EVSers for their on-arrival seminar at the treehouses in the mountains and I wasn’t sure what to expect as we set off in Filaretos’ car. Singing Irish songs to beat the band, we took in ever-more amazing views of Kalamata and the Messinian bay with every wind of the ascending mountain road. As we neared, Filaretos pointed across to the shape of an amphitheatre in the distance. “That’s where we’re going” he said. The mystery deepened; treehouses and amphitheatres?! Nice one. When we arrived we descended the stairs into a seemingly different world, it was like we were stepping back in time. We were greeted by our EVSers-in-arms, who were from Croatia and France, and our gracious hosts, had a few chats and settled in. After a while we got started with the seminar. It was all about EVS, general information and it’s 10

practicalities. Although this seminar was primarily for the shortterm EVS volunteers, as our ‘official’ one is on in September in Athens, Fotini and Filaretos felt it would be a good experience for us and I’m glad they did. The first activity was about our fears and expectiations regarding EVS. A straightforward enough concept but very necessary to discuss. After we affixed our post-its to the flipchart Fotini and Filaretos talked about all of them in turn, reassured us and clarified what we were to experience over the next 10 months. The next activity was Mission Impossible. Here we were assigned an number of tasks to be completed in an almost-equal number of minutes! These tasks included: compose a group song, make a poster for the group, find 10 differences and 10 similarities between all the countries represented in the group, gather things from around the camp that began with each letter of the alphabet, make a group dance and make a list of everyone’s favourite food, colour

and artist. Everything had to be done as a team, no delegation here! Everything went well apart from the song and dance! But the craic was good and loosened us all up a bit! After lunch, the short-term EVS volunteers made shelves for their tents and us long-haulers made bread. LOTS of bread! Sotirios and Panayota made dinner and the food was amazing. Cooked in a homemade oven which sat outside the main house that was built by Sotirios 4 years ago. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s some man for one man! After dinner we watched the sunset beautifully over Kalamata and the Messinian bay. After dark the sky was amazing. The view of the Milky Way and the multitude of stars was something I had never seen before. Wished on a few shooting stars and played a dice game where I got my arse horribly kicked! No beginners luck for me. On the second day, as I dealt with my incessant sleepiness, others had to deal with mosquito bites on account of their seemingly tasty blood! After breakfast we discussed EVS mentors, what they are and their

roles. We were split into two groups and asked our knowledge artistically. Our group did a comic strip featuring an elephant like Dumbo teaching birds to how to fly. Cheesy, cute and succinct in equal measure! We were then introduced to our rights and responsibilities as EVS volunteers. We were again split into two groups, one rights and the other responsibilities. We were asked to make a dramatic presentation of what our rights and responsibilities are. This was followed by an explanation and a clearing up of a few minor misunderstandings. After a tasty lunch prepared by Panayota and Sotirios (with a little help from us!) we discussed the youth pass and the 8 key competences. We were asked to take post-its and put our projects on the relevant competences. After a discussion and a promise to be introduced to the fax machine we chilled and hung out for a bit before leaving. We packed up, bade our goodbyes, exchanged numbers and made our merry way back to Kalamata on a promise to return. And return I most certainly shall.

ΣΙΓΆ-ΣΙΓΆ THEY SAID By: Fiachra

Γεια σας πάλι, τι κάνετε; Tá mé ar ais arís le nuacht libh. So, what have we been up to these last few weeks? Well it’s been intense, it’s been emotional and above all it’s been great craic! We’ve been working hard, playing hard and sleeping little but suppose certain sacrifices have to be made in the name of new experiences! In the Youth Centre, we’ve been making a right nuisance of ourselves, ripping up carpets, tearing down walls, wrecking beds and attending frappe workshops. What we really needed to do was convert the youth centre from a short-term hostel back to a youth centre after hosting the short-term EVSers this summer. This required us to take down the partition walls in the big rooms of the youth centre on the first and second floors. We also had to move the beds out, load everything onto a truck and take it to Filaretos’ home house. We tidied, cleaned and rearranged the café, and took the carpets onto the roof to scrub the life outta them. This month we also had our 12

first meetings of EVS volunteers and co-ordinators where we had to discuss a lot of stuff. We talked about what our tasks will be once the youth centre opens and the registrations are done. We were told about the tasks in the café, the info point and the tasks of the co-ordinator of the day. We discussed the LINK and who was to write what and for when, our wokshops and personal projects, and also domestic stuff with the houses. We started writing our articles for the LINK (like this one!). We also attended a general meeting in Greek where I could only catch a word or two (Σιγά-σιγά!). It was good to meet some of the local Greek volunteers who we’ll be working with and to get a feel for the personal dynamic of the youth centre. These last few weeks we also bid our farewells to some of the last of the outgoing EVS volunteers. Bjartur, the crazy Icelandic guy who definitely has some Celtic blood in him; Loic, the crazy French guy who is as solid as a rock; Dorian, the other crazy French guy who introduced us to Kalamata, Messinia and σιγάσιγά; and Taaniel, the crazy Esto-

nian guy who is as deep as he is kind. Let us not forget of course our gracious guests Hippolyte, Remi, Kevin and Adeline, without whom our first month would not have been the same. While we bid some goodbyes we also bid hello and welcomed our new volunteers the gentle and astute Ahmad from Jordan, the cool and mellow Carmello from Spain and adorable Eda from Turkey into the fold, with Deutchland Danae and a few more from Turkey set to arrive in October. Now, as we all know, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. So to prevent early-onset dull-itis we amused and entertained ourselves and each other in a myriad of ways, and at every opportunity (in our free time of course!). We attended parties, getting to know and socialize with the local volunteers. We travelled to many gorgeous places with beaches and traditional Greek-postcard scenery. We hitchhiked all around the Peloponnese, being picked up by friends, strangers, strange people and sugar daddies, every one of whom made for a very interesting few weeks! We went busking on the pot of Kalamata where we played music and sang songs while Γιώργος and Amaia played with fire. Thankfully no-one got

burned and we attracted a nice enough ol’ crowd. We even made €10 for ourselves! This month we alo spent a few more evening at the wonderful treehouses. The last time, we spent the night. It was Intercultural night and it was a great night! Lots of gorgeous food from Croatia, France, Gremany, Greece and other places! Lots of music singing, tsipouro, dancing and lots and lots of craic! The next afternoon we went to Hobe, a beach bar just outside Kalamata for a frappe and a Sunday swim σιγά-σιγά. Happy days. Also this month we introduced a new word into the Greek vocabulary. Let me introduce you to the craic: το χράιχ. As used in ‘Τι είναι το χράιχ;’, ‘What’s the craic?’ (‘Τι κάνεις;’) or ‘Μην φύγεις, είσαι μεγάλο χράιχ!’, ‘Don’t go, you’re great craic!’ (‘Μην φύγεις, έχεισ πλάκα!’). This is my gift to Greek culture, you’re welcome! :D So this is what we’ve been up to the last month, mostly anyway. I promise I will try my very best, my utmost in fact, to have as much fun, see as many new places and meet as many more interesting people for your reading pleasure next month. ‘Till then οι φίλοι μου, σιγά-σιγά!! 13

Emily, from Kalamata By: Melina

EVS Project: Enviromental Organisation „Assosicaion Avril“, in Coutances, Normandie, France Tell us something about I was a member in the Youth your project? Center joining some workshops There are a couple of differand so I have always been in ent projects and I am not sure contact with EVS volunteers which project I will do exactly. and could receive a lot of infor- One project is aquatic preservation, which means taking care mation about their projects. of the rivers or the sea. Then there are schools in which I wll How did you find your project? help the teacher during the lesThere is a data base with all EVS sons. Another work will be helpprojects in wich you can select ing in the office. But I prefer the practical biological things. your interests. How you got to know EVS?

So what were your criteria Do you already have a simiin this selection? And why? lar experience? I had two main criteria: The Yes, I already did a project in project had to be about envior- England. It was also an enviroment and it had to be in France. mental project so I think I mainly know what awaits me. I have always been interested in biology and enviroment and after my EVS year I want to study About French culture. It is something concering natural quite different from Greek science. culture, do you think it will I chose France mainly because be a big obstacle for you? of the language, which I want No I don’t think so because I to improve. have English origins and British 14

culture is quite similar to French. Furthermore I have traveled a lot before and was confronted with a lot of different cultures so I am very excited. So you do not have any fears? Of course I have fears. But I think these are normal fears that every volunteer has before starting his project. For example I am afraid of being lonely because I will be the only volunteer in this project. But in this way I am forced to integrate in the local community and I will be involved in the French life more.

new people and that is a really good opportunity for me. Learning things about enviroment and doing something in biology I am also afraid of conflicts with prepares me perfectly for my the people there but I can learn upcoming future. how to handle it. Then there are other fears like So when will you start? not having enough free time to Tomorrow! relax, to see friends, to travel and just for things that I want to do. So I guess you are very excited now? Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talk about your aims Yes, because it will be a long journey for me but actually I and your expections? havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realised it yetâ&#x20AC;Ś I really want to improve my French and and get to know France. I love to travel, meet 15

INTERVIEW WITH A VETERAN

By: Fiachra

So this afternoon (Monday 9th September) we had a surprise visit from a previous EVS volunteer. She was visiting Koroni and decided to drop by the youth centre, you know, while she was in the neighbourhood. While she was here I managed to catch her for a quick interview. Here is what she had to say: So, first of all, what is your name and where are you from? My name is Antonia and I’m from Austria.

you were here? I was teaching German and guitar for children.

Why did you decide to become a volunteer? And how old are you? I really wanted to go abroad I am 20 years old, I was 19 and EVS gave me the chance to when I did my EVS here. go to a foreign country. I wanted to work somewhere, get to How did you get involved know people and be part of a with the Youth Centre of community. Kalamata? I applied to other countries as How has the Youth Cenwell as Greece and was happy tre changed since you were here? that they accepted me here. The floor has been fixed, it was For how long were you on like this *points to café floor*, broken, they were saying it EVS here? would be fixed all year and fi7 months. nally they did it, they got a curtain (to separate the dancefloor What were you doing while from the café), there were not so many tables, there were no 16

toilets on the first floor, there was stuff lying around, no real roof, it was a lot different. We fixed the rooftop, painting in 40 degrees, it was hell! They were really proud of the work we did.

No I studied it before but learned to speak it very well here. Did you continue after? Ah not really! That’s why I’ve forgotten a lot!

Great stuff. What have you What was your favourite been doing since you left? place, memories? I went back to Austria and startI would say the Youth Centre, I ed to study. spent a lot of time here, in the winter… in the summer! Also the What did you start studying? Market on Saturdays. I love the Romanic languages and Euro- playhouse behind Aritomenos. pean Ethnology, a bachelors course. Did you keep in contact with Have you any plans to come anyone when you left? back to Greece in the future? Yes, Niki came and did EVS in Yes, it’s my second country. Austria, so I saw her, also my Really great experience, great mentor, I kept in contact with town, I had lots of fun! them a lot. What did you learn while you were here? So much for life really. Teaching, living in a foreign country, depending on myself, being independent, organizing stuff, so many things for life. I learned Greek. Did you just learn your Greek here?

Have you any parting words for us? Yes, have a great time here, enjoy yourself, you will learn a lot here! Nice one, thank you very much Antonia, lovely to meet you!

29 questions about Nikos M. By: Leo

When was the first time you visited the Youth Center and what was the reason? I think it was about two years ago, I heard from a friend that they are offering Spanish lessons there and I was realy interested.

In general would you describe life as easy or hard? I think it`s easy because you can anticipate everything. What fruit do you like and which donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you like? I love pineapple and I hate bananas.

Since when have you been a volunteer? And what is your favorite Since about one year ago when car? they needed help with fixing I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care as long as it works! some shelves and tables. 18

What languages do you speak? Greek, Italian and English. I grew up near Kalamata, but I am half Italian. Any plans for next year? Yeah I am planing with two friends to open a café/ fairtrade shop that will also be able to offer space for workshops, for example those of the Youth Center.

like somebody else! I like people with own personalities! What makes you laugh? Funny girls, children and animals. What is your favorite movie ? Kung fu panda and directly after this Kung fu panda 2.

And why do you like this movie so much? Because it’s meaningful, it’s Where do you see yourself an animation and every time in ten years? I wach this movie I can find a I don’t know and I don’t want new thing I never saw before. to think about it. What is your favorite perWhat is your favorit place in son in the movie and why? Kalamata ? Definitely Master Ugue, because Drinking Zipuro and having dis- he is awesome. cussions ! If you had a super power Is there something you what would it be? would like to do but you are As a character Superman, and not doing? if its only one skill, I would like NO to be invisible whenever I want. What people do you find What is your favorite song? most interesting ? Don’t worry be happy! I don’t like a lot of people, because everybody is trying to be 19

Is there something you Do you take care of your want to learn? health ? I want to learn to be more free. NO! How do you imagine a perfect World? A world with just a few people I choose. I mean with less stupid asholes! And with a hidden light behind mountains because I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really like the sun.

Do you have a motto? You have to watch where you want to go, because you are going where you are watching!

Would you like to change something on you? Yes, how I laugh and to be less addicted to addictions!

Is there a country you want to visit? One thing is sure, the last country I will visit is England !

Favorite thing on earth? Water!!

Are you afraid of some- What is your favorite drink? thing? Water and tequila! Yes, of darkness! Ok, last question. What were You are half Greek and half your feelings during the inItalian, do you feel more terview? Greek or more Italian? Nervous! I feel more both of them! And why? Who would you be reborn as? I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell you, you said it was As a salmon fish. the last question!

Leonard Pristl: CHEERFUL LION By: Erika

ous and centered around work. Still, I also feel a connection You are German but you with Germany, because I have grew up in Greece. When friends and family there too. did you come here? When I was one year old. I lived You are here as a long-term in Greece until I was 15, but I EVS volunteer for one year. went to Germany every year for Are you planning to stay in holidays. Then I moved back to Greece after this? Germany for three years and Maybe for a little while. Then I came back to Greece when I want to travel or maybe move turned 18. somewhere else, to see other countries. What languages do you speak? What is your first thought in the morning? German, Greek, and English. ÂťWhat time is it? Am I late?ÂŤ What are your favourite things in Greece? Do you like to have routine The sun, the sea, my friends, in your days? and the best part of my family. Not so much, I like being spontaneous. Have you spotted any differences between the life in Greece and in Germany? I love the Greek lifestyle. I also prefer the weather here and the general attitude of the people. There is a difference in mentality and I prefer the Greek way, where not everything is so seri-

Is there someone you look up to? Someone that is inspirational to you? Not really, I like to be myself.

What do you do when you’re sad? What makes you happy in an instant? Music, I love it. I’m almost always in a good mood, but when I am not, a good song changes my mood back to positive immediately.

happened to you, your best experience in life? Every day is a good day for me. I think my best day is yet to come, but I will always say that, even on my death bed. What is your star sign? I am a libra.

What kind of music do you listen to? In your opinion, what do Mostly hip hop. people need in order to be happy? What is your favourite thing Peace and love. in life? Spending time with my friends. Are you interested in politics? I don’t like being alone. Yes. I read a lot about it. This year I turned 18 so I will also What is the thing you re- vote for the first time. I think spect most in people? this is my responsibility and it I like it when I can talk to some- is important to do my part, esone openly and just speak di- pecially because I do not like rectly. I also admire people who the political situaiton in Germado whatever they do (it does ny right now. If everybody was not necessarily have to be a job more involved, things would with a lot of responsibilities) maybe get better. I don’t think with their whole heart and soul. much will change, but people I try to be like that too. should try anyway. It is useless to complain, if you do not get What is your favourite mem- involved. ory, the best thing that has 22

What makes you angry? Nazis and everything that has

to do with vampires.

Yes, it is important for me to wear the clothes that I like and Are you afraid of anything? feel good in. If I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like what I wear, it ruins my mood a little No. because I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel so comfortable. Is there something that bothers you in Kalamata? If you suddenly got a lot of Yes. The nazi movement. And I money and could spend it on wish more would be done to help something you really enjoy, the Roma minority. It makes me what would you do with it? sad to see poor people or chilI would travel the world with my dren without shoes. friends until the money ends. I would love to see new places, Do you have any quirks, small obsessions?

meet the locals, go to pubs, stay for a while to get to know the place, then continue the travel. I do not have a favourite destination, I would like to see everything.

enjoyed it. The kids were three to six years old and it was really nice working with them. I learned a lot and can now sing a lot of German nursery rhymes.

Is there a job you would reDo you like games? ally hate to do? Yes, I like table games, espe- Yes. I cannot imagine working cially chess. I learned to play in an office every day for my it last year. I also like sports, I whole life if I can help it. used to play football when I was little and later basketball. Are you religious? No, agnostic. But I accept other Do you watch sports on TV? people’s beliefs and have nothI like watching football some- ing against religions. times, but I don’t identify with any clubs. At the world champi- Are you a cat or a dog person? onship I cheer for Germany and Dog, definitely. Dogs are your Greece. friends, they are faithful. I have a dog, we found him in a street You are going to be working as a puppy, and we actually at the Youth Center. Have share the same birthday. He is you ever done anything eight years old now and he’s similar? great. I worked in a kindergarden in Germany for a year. It was a Do you dream at night? great experience even though What are your dreams like? it was hard sometimes, for ex- Do you remember them in ample when I was alone with the morning? 25 kids at times, having to take Yes, a lot. It’ like watching a care of everything, but I mostly movie. I like my dreams because there is a lot of action in 24

them, and. I remember it all in the morning.

TEDY MEET A GIRL FROM TURKEY

What do you think about before falling asleep? I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know, nothing special. By: Eda I fall asleep very easily, I can sleep anywhere anytime.

What is your favourite food? I love food, everything! Lobster is my favourite, but I had an allergic reaction to it three times in a row, the last one was Tedy meet a girl from turkey, the worst, so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think I will she lives in Istanbul and he dehave it again soon. cide to go to Istanbul. First she bring to him eat some turkish Do you prefer chocolate or food they ate kumpir, tedy really likes this food. And after the vanilla? I like the mix of two best, like food they start them tour. First they visit to hagia sophia straciatella. She start to mention about hagia sophia. Hagia Sophia is a Do you like our EVS team? great architectural beauty and Are you excited about this an important monument Both year? for Byzantine and for Ottoman Yes, very much. Beautiful peo- Empires. Once a church, later a ple, I am very excited. mosque, and now a museum at the Turkish Republic, Hagia Sophia has always been the precious of its time. Second station is grand bazaar, he want to see famous grand 25

meters and displays 34 statues made of 70 tons of ice. Visitors wear special Eskimo clothes and enter the museum passing

bazaar. He saw a lot of people from the other countrys. Tedyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friend told him about grand bazaar Half a million people in the

busiest times during the day, said the host. After the grand bazaar they went to ice magic museum istanbul. The magic Ice Museum covers an area of 1.400 square 26

through an ice tunnel, but Tedy Bear ofcourse didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to wear Eskimo clothes. The temperature will be kept at minus 5 degrees Celcius (Fahrenheit 13) throughout the year. At the end of the enjoyable day they sit and tedy asked to her

about Maiden’s Tower. And she start to explain, Historical accounts mention the Kız Kulesi as a told station used by the Greeks as far back as the 5th century BC. The Byzantines used it to chain off the Bosphorus, and thus extract a levy on ships entering and leaving the Black Sea. And the Ottomans used it as a watchtower. All of which is very interesting, but not nearly as compelling as the legends which surround the tower. In the most famous, a sultan had received a prophecy that his daughter would be killed by a snake bite on her off shore, in the Maiden’s Tower. As dusk approached and the terrible prophecy remained unfulfilled, the sultan ferried across to celebrate, with a basket of fruit. But alas! A venomous asp had smuggled itself into the basket. The princess was bit, and died

in her tearful father’s arms. Another legend tells the story of a girl named Hero who lived in the tower, and the young man Leandros who loved her. Every night, Leandros would swim to the tower, guided by a lamp lit in the tower by his fair maiden. One stormy night, thought, Hero’s lamp was extinguished and Leandros, unable to find way, drowned in the choppy water. When she saw his lifeless corpse wash up onto the rocks, Hero threw herself from her window and landed THUD next to her departed lover.

Today, the Maiden’s Tower serves little purpose other than touristic. You can ferry across for a visit. The bottom floor converts into a restaurant at night and, at the top, there’s a nice cafe, as well as a platform which offers a unique view of the Bosphorus.

SPANISH RECIPE: GAZPACHO (COLD TOMATO SOUP BY: AMAIA VILAS)

(I have borrowed some of Ferran Adriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s ideas for a delicious gazpacho)

You will need: 6 fresh tomatoes previously scaled, pealed and chopped/ a can of tomatoes 1/2 cucumber 4 gloves of garlic 3 thick slices of white bread Olive oil and good wine vinegar. Salt & pepper Trimmings Red pepper cut in small pieces Hard-boiled egg cut in little cubes Croutons Cucumber cut in little cubes

Peel the cucumber and dehydrate by leaving it sprinkled with quite a bit of salt onto a plate with a paper towel for an hour. 28

Blanch the garlic for a few minutes and put in a mixer together with the tomatoes and the dehydrated cucumber and the bread.

Soak the bread in water for half Add the salt and some of wine and hour or apple vinegar.

Put in the mixer and mix thor- Serve chilled with chopped red oughly till it becomes a liquid pepper, little cubes of boiled egg soup. and croutons to taste. In C贸rdoba they make a thick version of the gazpacho called salmorejo by adding more bread into the mix.

Add the olive oil slowly and keep mixing till the mixture becomes a smooth emulsion. 29

On the 25th of August, a group of 5 lovely young girls from Greece, set off for a youth exchange, under the Youth in Action programme, that took place in Cyprus, from the 25th of August to the 1st of September. Here is their story, told by Maria Evridiki, one of those girls :-D

SETTING OFF TO CYPRUS……....... .................………………………….....

It was the first time in Cyprus for all of us. Arriving in the island felt somewhat like arriving in the Middle East: hot sun, humidity, scarce vegetation.

It was no wonder we were all looking forward to going up on the mountains! And oh, these drivers insisting on driving on the wrong side! In the first bus already, we met the Romanian guys. It was with

tering very few problems. The language and cultural barriers did not play an important role anymore. During the following 7 days, we had lots of fun by making excursions, exploring and enjoying the beautiful forest and the sea of Cyprus, learning them that we had our first swim later on, in the swimming pool of the Holiday Camp in Platres, as the rest of the teams started to arrive. From the first moment we felt comfortable in the roomy facilities of the camp. After having taken a nap, we gathered at the amphitheater, where all of us properly met each other. Cyprus, Lithuania, Italy, Romania, Greece, Czech Republic.30 people from 6 different countries, and of course our lovely Cypriot organizers. Soon enough, we were a team that worked together, encounhow to protect the environment and ourselves from the harmful chemicals, tasting the Cypriot cuisine, partying, being creative in many ways. We danced, made little funny skits, cooked, played 31

and learned a lot about teamwork and interaction. We exercised on the beach of Limassol, we learned about other European organizations that can host us in interesting exchange programs, we took a rest from our

was going to happen! During the farewell night, some of us had tears in their eyes. That is the unquestionable sign we all left feeling that this program had achieved its goal, which was to bring all of us

together. Having learned a lot about countries we were now willing to visit, we were sorry to leave our new friends and wished we had another week in front of us. Some of us may now want to visit Cyprus again, daily routine. We gradually felt having all these great memories closer to nature and eventually in mind. to each other. The intercultural night, when we explored each countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beauties, evolved to a Maria Evridiki Poulopoulou great celebration that was really memorable. Each time we had some free time, we knew party 32

WHO WE ARE OFFICE:

Panagiota Arapi

Georgia Giannakea

Giwrgos Housenbelli

Fotini Arapi

Filaretos Vourkos

LONG TERM EVS:

Leonard Pristl

Erika Funa

Melina Savvidis

Eda Tandoğan

Amaia Vilas

Lina Carmelo

Fiachra

Jelena

Ahmad

Márquez

Mckeever

Scepanovič

Ayyash

Šuminaitė 33

The volunteers responsible for this publication are hosted in Greece in the framework of the European Youth in Action programme, Action 2- European Voluntary Service. This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, anvd the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 34