Traveling can be also a good way to learn new things

I can say for sure that this year started with the most adventurous and unexpected trips… that blew out all my expectations, regarding the plans that I had.

I want to talk about this experiences because EVS is not only about work, but it’s also about learning for the whole time of the voluntary service. And traveling, exploring the local culture might be a great way to do it.

Right after the New Year’s Eve me together with Carolina a local friend, our mentor and our coordinator had a trip to Xanthi, on the way we stopped to a lake to admire the landscape and a flamboyance of Flamingos birds.

For me it was a unique experience because until now I saw them only on a TV. Not far from that flock of flamingo there was a monastery situated in the middle of the lake Vistonida, I have to say that this monastery was something, something that you don’t find usually in the internet or something outside of your imagination.

So we stopped to the Agios Nikolaos Monastery, the entrance is representing a long bridge that connects the monastery with the land. In the middle of the monastery’s yard we found a table with blessed bread or Antidoron, from where each of us took some pieces.

I have to say that I don’t go so often to the churches but this one was having something special, making me feel for the whole staying more calm and relaxed.

After the monastery we went directly to Xanthi the closest town from Komotini. Because each town is very different I can’t compare them as much as I try. Xanthi comparing to Komotini has more historical monuments, such as old houses, streets and square.

We stayed there for a coffee and after we were sightseeing until very late, and we arrived home late in the evening, during that trip I learned more about the Northern Greece’s fauna, I had the chance to visit different styles of orthodox churches.

Also I started to notice tiny but very important differences between Greek cities even if they are very close.

My second trip that I want to talk about is my trip to Romania first of all I planned it for only a day, booking for both ways train and bus. But because on the next day there was a national holiday nothing was working even from the day I arrived, so I could not solve my problems with my documents. First of all I decided to stop in Giurgiu a small town close to the Bulgarian border, because it’s a small town so it would be easier for me to do everything in a shorter period of time, so I was left outside of the city because the bus wasn't passing through the city, at 5 am, as you can see also in the photo.

But because one institution was closed, and by all my calculation I had to stay 3 more nights before being able to go to Greece back. So I decided to have some sightseeing of the town and after I took the bus to Bucharest, were I had the chance to meet old friends finally on Wednesday I managed to solve all my problems but at a very late time so I had to take the bus on the next day finally I arrived in Greece on Friday in Thessaloniki, and while waiting for my train, I was happy to meet at the station another volunteer Fiore she was arriving from Komotini that day. At home I arrived later in the evening as the train was late with two hours. This unplanned long trip made me to understand that world is not so big after all. And the only thing that you have to do is to put on your coat and to get in a bus/train or plane and all the places are close!

And my 3rd and last trip was to Serres, I can only say that apart from leaving warm and sunny Komotini for cold and rainy Serres mountains.

I had one of the most amazing weekend of this year. But more details you will find in the next article.

So guys for new experiences all you have to do is to leave your office for a few days, to leave your computer at home and to buy some tickets anywhere, and just leave the life to plan everything for you.

Agios Nikolaos Monastery