Bartin, Turkey
10 - 14 March 2011
The fourth part of the Comenius project began on 11th April 2011 at 9:00 o'clock at the Bartin Davut Firincioglu Anadolu Lisesi school. First, the students had an opportunity to see what lessons in the local school look like. Next, the visitors from partner countries were welcomed by the headmaster. All of the gathered people could see the national turkish dance show. The music made everyone feel like dancing and after a while the Norwegians, Swedish, Spaniards, Italians, Greeks, Turks and Poles started to dance in the middle of the school corridor. >>>School gallery<<<
After this first integration impulse, there began a presentation of traditional but forgotten sports games typical for each partnership country. The Spaniards were first, they presented a different type of bowling, the next were the Poles with the "Palant" game. The Greeks presented a game with a ball and finally, there were the Italians with a pie throwing. After that presentation, there was a lunch break. The international crew went to the restaurant in Inkum. Most of the Comenius society used the opportunity to walk on the beach accompanied by a lot of laughter, dancing and singing. In Inkum, there was a continuation of international shows. The Swedish presented some games, such as: carrying a human along a designated route as quickly as it was possible or the overshoe throwing. During this game, there was a hard fight between the Norwegians and all of the teachers. The next sport was running in bags presented by Norwegians. Finally, the exchange guests went to the sports hall in Bartin to see a traditional Turkish sport presented by the experienced players. It was a kind of wrestling where the special costume was obligatory. Having seen all the sports, each country voted for the sport which is the best to fight a sedentary lifestyle and the Greeks were the winners!!! After a long but wonderful day the students could finally go to their new friends' places and the teachers could take some rest at the hotel or discover the secrets of this region on their own. >>>Sports gallery<<<
The second day in Turkey started at school where the exchange students attended lessons with their Turkish peers. After seeing what maths or geography looks like in the Turkish version, we could taste delicious lunch prepared by the teachers and parents and then took a sightseeing tour of school. Finally, the whole group along with the teachers set off to the Town hall where we were warmly welcomed by the local authorities and given some little gifts. >>>Town hall gallery<<<
The next point on the itinerary was a trip to Asmar, a beautiful seaside village, where pictures were taken on the local beach. After that, everyone had some free time to visit the town, buy some souvenirs and see what life is like in this area. After exploring the corners of Asmar, which had been very exciting, the whole Comenius group returned to Bartin. >>>Asmar gallery<<<
The third day, similarly to the previous one, began with Turkish lessons. After that the gang went on a trip to Safranbolu, the city of saffron, unfortunately without their hosts, who had to stay at school. In Safranbolu the exchange students had a chance to see the local mosque, a type of museum presenting the former life of the Turks and other monuments of the city. There was also a projection of a film that showed the city of saffron, which helped everyone better understand the atmosphere of this place. Then there was a meal, consisting of traditional Turkish dishes and then the long awaited free time, during which everyone had the opportunity to once again buy some souvenirs, delicious sweets, various spices and other things that Safranbolu is well known for. >>>Safranbolu gallery<<<
After returning to Bartin everyone hurried to their "homes" to get ready for the final farewell dinner, which took place in the hotel where the teachers were staying at. When the exquisite supper was over, the students of the Turkish school performed popular songs from their country. Following that, the local authorities made their speeches during which the participants of the exchange received diplomas and small gifts. The ceremony was closed by a show put on by an adolescent group that some of the students from the Bartin School are in. Finally, the partying and dancing began, which was entirely accompanied by laughter, joy and many other emotions and even tears of sadness on account of the meeting coming to an end. After the whole party which had been a quintessence of the goal of the Comenius project which took on breaking stereotypes and integrating people of different nationalities, everyone separated in order to pack and say their last goodbyes to their hosting families. >>>Farewell dinner gallery<<<The following day everyone set off on their return trip back home, taking along their side a huge handful of wonderful memories.
