Day 10 - Sunday

It had been snowing in Athens. Bags of presents and suitcases we strewn all around. We met in front of the school, before setting off for the airport. All of us, students, teachers and parents were wishing each other well and saying goodbye in “Departures”. Very emotional, especially Randa´s “new” little sister, who was crying at the thought of letting her go.

Athens-Rome and Rome-Barcelona. Four small hours, and two different worlds. Two realities that have been ours for 10 days. Now we have to learn how to deal with them whilst carrying on with our lessons, exams and so on, but with the feeling of having gained a new thing …perhaps we all understand now a bit more that line Riba wrote : “ric del que ha donat, i en sa ruïna, tan pur”.

Carme

Day 9 - Saturday

Terribly cold. We were driven to Thessaloniki in the morning, where we met Caterina. Imagine this; Mercè and myself running like mad around the harbour, so as not to feel so frozen?! We did, and we laughed and laughed… again. We visited the food market in the Jewish quarter of the city. The shouts of fisherman filled a space that doesn´t belong to my present, but that I assume as something of my own.

We had a lovely lunch. All decided on fish dishes, except Amy. Katerina offered the best of herself to us, and played the perfect host. We had a fantastic conversation about Macedonia and all the oral languages that are being left apart. I was amazed about the sheer amount of things that I still don´t know, and am aware now that travelling means offering, sharing and exchanging our opinions with others. We´ve been lucky.

… final party. No words could possibly describe it. We couldn´t have hoped for anything better. The students amused themselves and showed off one of their best qualities: feeling good just for the sake of it! In the end, they were trying to make the night last longer. But with only a couple of choice words and they accepted their fate willingly! It was bedtime! There are many things to think about and to consider, but one fact remains, and that is that this exchange has been a complete success. Congratulations Mercè!

Carme

Day 8 - Friday

Woke up with a cold shower brrgghh! After morning prayer, we were told that a German teacher from another school, along with some of her students was going to come and visit us. It seems as though we have become the main attraction for the people of the town! The coach was waiting to take us to visit the museum and tombs in Vergina. Great tumult hiding beneath the tombs of Philip ІІ, Alexander the Great´s father, and his late wife. (She actually had to die , because he had – it was what was expected of her.) Magnificence from more than 2000 years ago. Exquisite vase portraying figures, quite amazing, due to its modernity. And the crown, how could they weave those leaves so intricately and perfectly into a crown that has retained all of its splendor? The urn where the ashes were put into a golden box had made me think of many different concepts such as respect, importance, the desire to be remembered, knowing your past, feeling alive, sharing feelings and loving.

We spent the evening at Edessa, a waterfall that pounded out thousands of litres of water a second, making it a pretty site for taking photos. Want to see them?

Lots of songs on the coach, both Greek and English, and one special one, …. – can´t remember the name, ask Sheila. We arrived back in Lagadas around 8. This was the first time I realised that the exchange was not going as smoothly as I had thought - difference of age? different ways of life?). Fotini asked all the students to go home directly. Our students wanted to go out and have a drink. They wanted to be together and chat. Our students had to learn a lesson about the different frameworks there - age, country, customs and ideas.

We went for a drink with the teachers. Mercè was falling asleep. She is a morning girl, I can tell you, but when she starts…nobody can stop her!

I was feeling like listening to some Brad Mehldau’s soft piano songs.

Carme

Day 7 - Thursday

Valentine´s Day. Love poems by Greek poets and Lorca, and M.Mercè Marçal ….. Juanjo and Toni read in Greek. Bravo! Randa –very solemn-, Toni again –what a good actor he is! - Paula and Marina, read poems in Spanish. Some of them were dedicated to the teachers. Maria was behind the whole thing, and at the end, M.Mercè Marçal telling us to love with passion and not with brains. Good advice, but very difficult to live with. Too much hurt, when things don´t go smoothly.

I liked Maria being so modest as not to say – or expect- anything from the hard work she had put into the transalations. Thank you, Maria!

Took the bus to Thessaloniki. We saw the view of the city from above and then went downtown. Spent time wandering around, all very enjoyable. Our next stop was the archeological museum, where we were given a great lesson on history. The guide took a thematic approach towards something that happened so long ago, yet that still holds that same importance. Life, death and desire. A vase, an urn with a message: live life to the full.

I liked the woman giving the explanations. She was very clear, very didactic. They –our students-didn´t realise the difference. Some of them didn’t.

Hagia Sofia. Impressive. Bizantic act, shadows of green beside golden walls and wide eyes looking at you, inviting you to realise that all that has been, and all that still is, is in reality in the same pool.

We went to Fotini´s for supper.We were treated like long lost friends.

Carme

Day 6 - Wednesday

The themes of the day are history and Thessaloniki. This room, where we congregate is very big, and there are many noises flying around.

The teachers talked whilst the students wrote down words in three different languages. I keep saying to myself that here the most important thing is communication, they are doing a better job of it than us! Will you please remember the image of them relaxing in the coffee house and chatting to each other as if they were old friends?

Visit to town hall. We talked to the Mayor and asked him questions about the city. Lunch with the teachers – who else?! It was a homemade meal, they all brought in dishes that they had prepared for us. Very casual and nice. We already feel as if we had met before. First big conversation about Catalan and Spanish. (I think that we bored them all, not Caterina though!)

Amparo was laughing all day long. Very catching! Sometimes I think that we behave like grown-up students – isn´t that what we are though?!

Carme

Day 5 - Tuesday

The Odyssey, the Gods and some poems by Lorca. Maria was kind enough to give us the translations, whilst Alex, Toni, Randa and Marina read the poems aloud, that was really something! Oh, and what’s more, it was Mercè´s and Eliot´s birthdays!!! During the break, we gave them presents and a cake each. One of the presents was a photograph of the group in Athens. I want it too – good vibrations! Toni said he didn´t like himself in the picture…I kind of agree, Toni!

I found myself a little present too, inside my bag– completely unexpected. I like those little things that make life a big thing. Thanks!

Lunch with Katerina, Maria and the P.E teacher. All of them are going to come to BDN. They invited us to a place called…mm…can’t remember. This is a small open “bar”, where you eat sausages, meat, salad and feta, feta feta – of course! Yum! Lovely. The conversation we had in the coffee rooms afterwards was excellent! History was being explained through feelings. Oh, and I forgot to mention the market in the morning, the best thing was the olives - they were much bigger than ours.

In the afternoon, we went to a big shopping centre. We would also have liked to have walked through the streets of Thessaloniki. The best part was playing pool with Amal and Marina –little show off- while some of the others students were bowling. Now, time for bed. Tomorrow, I have to wake up at 7.

Carme

Day 4 - Monday

The real landing! We have come here to study their traditions and cuisine – talking of food, we are being transformed into little pigs after having gobbled up so many sausages, meat, chips and sugary desserts!

We visited the president of their sort of “consell comarcal”, pretty and interesting young woman, who kindly answered our questions. The setting was quite formal, and I think that we were all quite impressed. More cookies. Later on, we went to the thermal baths. The gardens were very pretty and it would probably be a very nice spot to come and see in the future when the Byzantin baths have been re-opened.

We had lunch with the Greek teachers. They put a lot of effort into making us comfortable. The restaurant was lovely and so was all the fish dishes. We drank ouzo and wine, thank God I didn´t have to teach any classes! Then we all met up in a trendy bar with great music. Friendly waitresses came to take out order. They were ex-students from our Greek high-school, just like the majority of the people drinking there. Later on that evening, we decided to go and buy some fruit – we really needed it!!

Carme

Day 3 - Sunday

The Acropolis. Great. Magnificent. History making you like a dot of insignificance on the face of this earth. The Cariatides seem to endure a heavy load. I liked them a lot. I think that they display their existance proudly, as most women do!

Tonnes of pictures. Will Amparo have enough for next year when she talks about Greek art?

We made the long bus trip up to Lagadas. 7 hours of sleeping, listening to music and talking. Lots of talking.We arrived in Lagadas, to the warm welcome of the Greek parents.

Now you are all alone in a house that you don´t know. You´ll have to make the effort to communicate with people that probably won´t understand you. Meanwhile, your teachers tell you that this is a good thing! It is indeed, believe it or not! Your opinions of this room, this curtain or this blanket…and the people surrounding you will undoubtedly change after having lived here for 7 days.

Carme

Day 2 - Saturday

First of all, we visited the group of momuments around the Acropolis, and the ruins at Agora. This made us all think about the thread linking us with 2000 years of history… our concept of time changed a little…perhaps? Later on in the day, Sunion welcomed us in all its –not so usual- splendor. Posidon showed off his mite with a heavy downpour and strong winds. We read the poem, a chorus of voices repeating those moving lines. I lived one of those moments there. So did Katerina, and many others, I hope. Thanks Riba!

(Don´t let your feelings be erased. Allow them to grow old, and try to understand the images they have left behind imprinted on you).

Carme

Day 1 – Friday 8th Feb 2008

Expectant faces…when we think about the next few days, it is with a feeling of relief, as we realise that everything is going to be ok. Although we missed a plane, had to hang around for 5 hours and were all in need of a good sleep, we didn´t let it dampen our spirits!

Our first contact with the Greek teachers, Maria and Katerina, was at the airport in Athens, where they were waiting –and waiting, indeed!- to welcome us. First cold wind on our faces. Our coach journey to the hotel was filled with songs, we were all smiling and very happy to be there. What more could we possibly wish for? A comfortable hotel perhaps? Take a look at the photos!!

We met the Greek students in a traditional restaurant, where we all had supper together. Much excitement from the very start! First traditional dancing…Irene couldn’t show her abilities with her belly dancing!

Carme

Trip to Greece

From Dreams to Reality.

We all, students and teachers, were getting more and more excited about the trip and finally the day arrived…

This is what we thought the trip was going to be like...

1st Day

3:45 Wake up really early in the morning and go to the airport.
5:00 Arrive at the airport and meet the rest of the people.
5:15 Get the boarding cards.
5:45 Say goodbye.
6:25 Fly to Rome.
8:55 Make the last leg of our journey by changing planes, run from one plane to the
other so that we don’t miss our connecting flight to Athens.
11:55 Arrive there.
12:30 Meet the two Greek teachers, who have been waiting for us since 12 o’clock !
1:00 Go to wonderful Sunion (Poseidon temple), see a beautiful sunset whilst reading
a poem by Carles Riba.
7:00 Go to the Hotel.
7:30 Meet the Greek students. Oh dear! Here the teachers are a bit worried: Should we
do some presentation games just to break the ice and start talking to one
another?… We'll see.
9:00 Have dinner together.
10:00 Go to bed, sleep like a log.

And this is how it actually was!

1st Day
3:45 We woke up really early in the morning and went to the airport.
5:00 We arrived at the airport and met the rest of the people.
5:15 We got the boarding cards.

5:45 We said goodbye.
6:25 We flew to Rome .... and things didn't go 'exactly' to plan ...
8:55 We missed the connection flight to Athens! We had to wait for 5 hours to make the last leg of our journey. We did our best to pass the time...

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20:00 Eventually, we arrived there.
20.30 We met the two Greek teachers, who had been waiting for us since 12 o’clock!!!
21.00 We went to the hotel, there was no time for Sunion (Poseidon temple).
21.30 We met the Greek students for the first time at the restaurant, where we had dinner. See how difficult it was!!!



00:30 We finally went to bed, and slept like logs.

Trip to Greece

From Dreams to Reality.

We all, students and teachers, were getting more and more excited about the trip and finally the day arrived…

This is what we thought the trip was going to be like...

1st Day

3:45 Wake up really early in the morning and go to the airport.

5:00 Arrive at the airport and meet the rest of the people.

5:15 Get the boarding cards.

5:45 Say goodbye.

6:25 Fly to Rome.

8:55 Make the last leg of our journey by changing planes, run from one plane to the other so that we don’t miss our connecting flight to Athens.

11:55 Arrive there. 12:30 Meet the two Greek teachers, who have been waiting for us since

12 o’clock ! 1:00 Go to wonderful Sunion (Poseidon temple), see a beautiful sunset whilst reading a poem by Carles Riba. 7:00 Go to the Hotel. 7:30 Meet the Greek students. Oh dear! Here the teachers are a bit worried: Should we do some presentation games just to break the ice and start talking to one another?… We'll see. 9:00 Have dinner together. 10:00 Go to bed, sleep like a log.

And this is how it actually was!
1st Day 3:45 We woke up really early in the morning and went to the airport.

We all, students and teachers, were getting more and more excited about the trip and finally the day arrived…

This is what we thought the trip was going to be like...

1st Day
3:45 Wake up really early in the morning and go to the airport.
5:00 Arrive at the airport and meet the rest of the people.
5:15 Get the boarding cards.
5:45 Say goodbye.
6:25 Fly to Rome.
8:55 Make the last leg of our journey by changing planes, run from one plane to the
other so that we don’t miss our connecting flight to Athens.
11:55 Arrive there.
12:30 Meet the two Greek teachers, who have been waiting for us since 12 o’clock !
1:00 Go to wonderful Sunion (Poseidon temple), see a beautiful sunset whilst reading
a poem by Carles Riba.
7:00 Go to the Hotel.
7:30 Meet the Greek students. Oh dear! Here the teachers are a bit worried: Should we
do some presentation games just to break the ice and start talking to one
another?… We'll see.
9:00 Have dinner together.
10:00 Go to bed, sleep like a log.

And this is how it actually was!

1st Day
3:45 We woke up really early in the morning and went to the airport.

5:00 We arrived at the airport and met the rest of the people.
5:15 We got the boarding cards.
5:45 We said goodbye.
6:25 We flew to Rome .... and things didn't go 'exactly' to plan ...
8:55 We missed the connection flight to Athens! We had to wait for 5 hours to make the last leg of our journey. We did our best to pass the time...
20:00 Eventually, we arrived there.
20.30 We met the two Greek teachers, who have been waiting for us since 12 o’clock!!!
21.00 We went to the hotel, there was no time for Sunion (Poseidon temple).
21.30 We met the Greek students for the first time at the restaurant, where we had dinner. See how difficult it was!!!
12:30 We finally went to bed, and slept like logs.