Thessaloniki, Greece

24 - 28 April 2012

Another  meeting of the Comenius “Healthy Challenges for Europe” teams took place in a beautiful Greek town of Thessaloniki. It lasted from 24th to 28 of April and the theme was "Healthy Food".

Day 1. When we landed in Greece our hosts were already waiting for us and took us to their homes right away. We had plenty of time to welcome ourselves and get to know our host families and rest after a whole day of travelling. At about 4pm we headed to a meeting with other students from Greece and other countries to a cafe where we spent the whole evening. In the evening we went to the city centre where we met up with other students and delegates to continue celebrating like true Greeks-kebab, fries, salads, feta cheese and great music, lots of laugh and dancing zorba on the streets to go along with that. We got back home at about midnight with a good feeling about the following day.

Day 2. We began the day by visiting the Greek school and participating in a few lessons, then we headed to the assembly hall to present and watch the films earlier prepared by the participants of the exchange. The theme of these films were national meals. We also had an opportunity to taste delicious culinary delicacies from all the seven countries at the exhibition organized in the school. >>>The Exhibition gallery<<< The rest of the day we had free time while the teachers went to the Town Hall to meet the meyor of the city. >>>Town Hall gallery<<< The Greek students knew how to give us a great time. Once again we went to a cafe after which we admired the beautiful sunset while talking a walk along the harbor. Finally, we went to a pizzeria for supper which was owned by the father of one of the Greek students.

Day 3. At 8am we all met up outside the school in order to go on a trip around the area of Thessaloniki. We started by visiting the winery, which turned out to be one of the biggest in the region, we saw the process of making wine, ouzo and tsipouro. That was really interesting. >>>The winnery gallery<<< Next, there was a cave in which the first human remains were found, the visit was pretty calm...However, the next stop was what everyone thought was the most important- the beach. The Greek students didn't go in the water because it was still too cold for them but the rest of the countries were happy to jump in. >>>Chalkidiki gallery<<< We arrived back home at about 6pm, but the day wasn't over just yet. Another night of partying in the city centre.

Day 4. This day also started at 8am outside the school because we were going to a museum- it was the tomb of Alexander the Great and his father Filip II. We were really amazed by the beauty of the ancient jewellery and learnt a lot about ancient times. Visting churches, fortifications and the city skyline gave us something to do until 6pm and then we all separated and went either home or to grab a bite to eat. >>>Thessaloniki gallery<<< At that time the Greek students were preparing a farewell party. When we arrived at school at 8:30pm everything was ready and the Greek students made sure to keep us entertained with singing, dancing and national conversations which was all followed by the official conclusion of the whole project, gifts and a few words of thanks to the Greeks. There was plenty of emotions going around- tears, smiles, laughs and tons of hope for seeing each other once again in the future. >>>Farewell party gallery<<< The official goodbye was over but the Greek students took us to a club in which we partied until 4 in the morning, where through tears and promises "to come back" we said our final goodbyes and headed home to rest before our journey back home.

We left Greece full of unforgettable memories!