It's almost one month ago that I wrote in my weblog it wasn't because I was so busy because I think in Greece you're never too busy but I just had no inspiration (and one time I wrote a long message but forget to save it).

So what I did the last month in Greece............

First we went to Prespa for the going away party from Renee and Nina. To say goodbye is never nice but the party was good. The next day Pascale and me went back with the bus to Florina after two hours sleep. In the middle of the ride the bordepolice wake us up because we had to show our passport. Then they took half of the people out of the bus because they are Albaniers and didn't had a visa. As you understand it didn't go in a really nice way. It a really strange experience and I am really curious what happened with this people and from what situation they come from.

The next weekend we went to Thessaloniki (the second biggest city from Greece) their we stayed at the house of two-former EVS volunteers. Thessaloniki is a nice city because there is a lot of cultural activity only the city itself I didn't like so much because it is really chaotic and there are a lot of ugly buildings you didn't see much of the old city anymore.

So back in Florina we heard that we have to go the next day to Athens for our on-arrival training. This is a training for all the EVS-volunteers that just arrived in Greece. When after a 8 hours ride arrived in Athens the only thing we know was the name of the metro station and the hotel. After a little search we found the hotel and first we didn't belief it was the right hotel because it was a very luxuous 4 star hotel.
The first night we went with all the volunteers (about 50) to a jazz-festival only when we arrived it was just finished so we stayed there and drunk some beers.
The first day of the traing we did a lot of funny introduction games and talked about EVS and what voluntarism means.
The next day we had Greek history and after this we visited the Acropolis which was very impressive. In the evening we eat in a taverna and then go with almost all the volunteers to a rockbar where we danced all night.
The last day we made a presentation about our project. It was very nice to see all the other projects. In the night we went to a hill next to the Acropolis from which you have a beautiful view of Athens and the Acropolis at night.
The week in Athens was really great because I met so many nice people and we had a wonderful week together. I'm already looking forward to go to Athens again for the mid-term training.

Last weekend we went to Prespa to meet the three new volunteers. So friday evening we went to the road (we had to go hitchhiking because their is no bus) and try to find a car only then it started to rain. So we took a taxi to a better point and we didn't have to pay (I think because we were all drowned and looked really sad) from there we found a car with the Albanians and after them we went (all wet) in the back of a pick up truck to Prespa. So I still have a cold from this. In the evening we go to the bar because it was Nina's last night.
Saturday we helped Christos ( a Greek man from Prespa who has is own garden, beanfields and is going to open his own taverna) to burn the peppers from his garden which was very nice to do.
Then we played "hide and seek" at the square of Agios Germanos. Because saturday it was really cold and it maybe was going to snow we had to make fire in the house because they don't have a heating.
Sunday we helped Christos to pick up the καριδα (walnuts) then we eat in a taverna and after this we decide to throw the new volunteers in the lake because they didn't swim in it yet. So after a waterfight we go back to the house.
In the afternoon I made with Pascale and Roemani a big walk in the mountains to see all the view of the two lakes and watch the sunset.
For me it was so great to be in Prespa this weekend and to sit on top of the mountain because when I'm in Prespa I feel really free and peaceful. I don't know how to describe it but it's like you can do everything you want and their are now bounderies only a totally free feeling.

Ok a really long story. Ofcours during the week I also work on the project I will tell later some more about what we are working on and what I do during the week.

By the way today I had my first Greek dance lesson (from now we have every week Greek dance lessons) and it was great!!!

Life in Greece is still good. Last weekend feel like a little holiday within my “big holiday” for 9 months. Pascale and I went for the weekend to Larissa and it was great. Friday we arrived after a 6 hours trip and we went almost directly with the other volunteers to a wine festival where we get free wine. So we took for about 10 empty bottles with us and filled them up with wine.

The next day I went with Pascale and Peter to visit Meteora which is a really beautiful place (see pictures).

The Meteora (Greek: Μετέωρα, "levitating") are monasteries built on spectacular natural rock pillars. They are located in north-eastern Greece, on the edge of the Pindus Mountains and are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Their precise coordinates are 39°42′51″N, 21°37′52″E.

The religious nature of the location dates to the 11th century CE, when a few hermits settled upon the cliffs.

Construction was begun on the cloisters in the 15th century. They were intended as places of refuge in troubled times and access to them was thus made extremely difficult, requiring either long ladders lashed together or a windlass and rope system attached to a net.

We visited two monasteries and then we decided to take a different road back to the place where is the train station. We take a pad through de rocks and the monasteries but after a while it wasn’t a pad anymore and we can’t go back. So we had to continue and climb first up between the rocks and then go down which was quite dangerous. So I was happy when we finally see the village after a long walk and we survived.

Sunday we went to the beach near Larissa with almost all the volunteers. So I swim for the first time in the sea since I’m in Greece which was really nice. Of course I got burned again. I don’t know how it’s possible but after almost two months here I still get burned every time I go in the sun.

In the evening we played jungle speed, drink the wine from the festival and did a funny Japanese dance.