Meeting in Athens, Feb 2011 by the Greek Team

Although many months have passed we still remember this meeting. End of 2010 beginning of 2011 Athens was on demonstration and strikes almost every day.  We were very stressed because we didn’t know if the participants could arrive to the venue because of the situation. Finally everybody was there although there were strikes and demonstrations the arrival day as well.

Our first meeting started with nice view from the tenth floor of the hotel. In front of us all the beautiful and historical monuments of Athens, Acropolis, Lycabetus hill,  Philopapou, Piraeus port. After our welcome/introduction meeting and the practical arrangement s we started our walking tour in Athens. Through Omonoia square we passed from the central food market and reached Monastiraki square under Acropolis, next to the roman bibliotheque, and to ancient agora.

After our traditional meal in a cultural centre we went back to the hotel to prepare our international fair. The fair was visited apart from some Greeks members of NGOs many young international volunteers who had their midterm evaluation meeting in the same hotel. So the meeting was very alive and it was nice to meet two generations there and learn the one from the other. One of the most impressive moments was the presentation of our Turkish colleagues who showed us their unique painting technique.

The next day in the morning we presented the portfolios and in the afternoon we visited Acropolis museum and the site around. Our guide’s description was very alive and we got a very good idea of the festivities in honour to Athena Goddess. Our coordinator’s meeting was held in the cafe of the museum.

Next day we visited some other cities near Athens as the archaeological site of Mycenae, Nafplion and the ancient theatre of Epidaurus. During this visit we had the opportunity to learn how many different tribes passed from Greece and the influences of each one.

On our way back to Athens we stopped for coffee over new Epidaurus village and there, enjoying the beautiful view of the forest over the sea and the small village hidden in the green environment we discover each ones’ secret friend.

The meeting for the greek participants it was a very nice break from the everyday hard reality which we live the last two years and we still remember it with happy and love.

Thanks to all the participants, thanks to the partners we have nice memories and enrich our knowledge and experience.