Day 4 – From Xanthi to Kavala

In Xanthi: Anthonis, Ian, Ignatius, Jon, Damitris, Becky and Rich.

We were sorry to say goodbye to our new friends in Xanthi, who kindly waved us off this morning. We all carry with us very fond memories of this beautiful town in a wonderful mountainside setting. The other image shown is from the road looking back towards Xanthi.

We arrived in Kavala, the azure town, and were met by Abraham, Vasilis and Theo. Our programme began with a meeting in the Town Hall with the Mayor and his deputy. Today is St Georges Day; a time for celebration in Kavala.

Kavala, once the ‘Tobacco city of the North of Greece’ is now home to a wonderful tobacco museum. Our guide, Ioannis Vizikas, President of the museum gave us an interesting and informative insight into the past production of tobacco in the surrounding area. Ioannis presented us with a block of Basma tobacco from Eastern Macedonia. This stalkless, small leaf, aromatic variety is highly prized.
After another delicious and plentiful Greek lunch, Theo showed us his popular sweet store in town and very kindly gave each of us a sample of his confectionary.

Day 3 – Xanthi Prefacture

Our morning started early and we drove to the coastal town of Abdera, an Ancient city founded in the 7th Century BC by Ionians. We went to the Archaeological Museum of Abdera which houses a range of artefacts (coins, vases, jewellery, figurines) and were all impressed by the recreated burial sites there. As part of this experience we stopped by the archaeological excavation of the ancient city itself – whilst it was wet and windy, it was a great privilege.

Our guides (and indeed new friends), Ignatius and Antonis were able to take us then to another temple which was controversial in that it was worshiped in by Muslims and Christians. There was a copy of the Koran and an icon of St George sitting in adjacent rooms. Our journey continued into the mountains by the Nestos Narrows (North-West of Xanthi) and we visited a famous Macedonian tomb and the village of Stavroupoli. The tomb was an awe-inspiring visit as it had remained sealed between 200BC-1900AD! It was burgled at first but is now in safe care. We were told after lunch that our generous meal was being paid for by the local Mayor even though he could not be there himself.

Day 2 – Xanthi

We were met in the morning at the hotel by Antonis, Demitrius and Ignatius from the Rotary Club of Xanthi. We firstly went to the Foundation and Thracian Academy of Arts, based at a former tobacco storehouse, to see an exhibition of ceramics made by children with special educational needs. Also the foundation creates woodcarvings and is starting to build a library. Another important role is the restoration and conservation of works of art, books etc which are linked to the culture of Thrace.

Xanthi is home to the University of Democritus

We next went to see the Monastery Panagia Archangeliotissa and experienced evening prayer in the Greek Orthodox Chapel. Whilst we were there we met Alexandros Nikolaidis, a Greek Olympic Taekwando competitor, and their national champion.

Our evening was spent wandering the streets of the Old Town of Xanthi, and our guides pointed out houses of significance there.

Day 1 - Xanthi

Greetings from Xanthi!

We have now arrived in Greece, having successfully negotiated a stormy Zurich transfer! Our drive from Thessaloniki was 200km (starting at 2am Greek Time) and after just a few of hours sleep and a continental breakfast we are ready for the day ahead.

GSE Team District 1050, 2009, at Manchester Airport.
We were waved off by Alec Jonston and Ken Boylett:


Team members Jon Kerr and Becky Cundy creating this post in Motel Natassa, Xanthi:

Send Off Supper

What a Send Off! The team was delighted to receive the support of over 20 clubs from the District. We will convey the greetings of you all to District 2481. Sas efharisto.We are now ready to go and excited as we pack to board flight 381 from Manchester to Thessaloniki on Monday evening

The Team Members

We are

Becky - Primary School Teacher from Glossop
Jon - Media and Performing Arts Technician from Northwich
Rich - Trainee Solicitor from Congleton
Ian - Retired Teacher from Poynton

Who are we?

Rtn Ari Tsalikis shows us Kavala

Itinerary

Derek Newman maps out our Itinerary

Rtn Derek Newman met up with our team this week to talk us through the itinerary. We were excited to hear more news of the exchange which is now only three weeks away!! Final arrangements include practising our presentation, shopping for uniforms, printing a flyer and meeting up at the Send Off Supper on April 16th.

The places we are visiting in District 2481

We are flying from Manchester to Thessaloniki (via Zurich) on Monday 20th April 2009. We will be hosted by clubs across northern Greece. The clubs we will stay in are

Xanthi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xanthi
Kavala (West)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kavala
Thessaloniki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thessaloniki
Ioannina
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ioannina
Corfu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corfu
Preveza
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preveza
Volos
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volos

Whilst we are in Thessaloniki, District 2481 will hold its District Conference there.

We return to England on Sunday 17th May.

Here is a preview of images within our presentation. I hope to bring the whole presentation to this blog in a downloadable format. We just need to finish it first!

Ashton Mill

Northwich

Little Moreton Hall


The Wheel of Manchester

Manchester Opera House

The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE)

The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

For more information go to the website