CRETE 2016

Monday morning. 

Three spanish students looking forward to begin their adventure.

 It's February 22nd and they are above to flly with me and Sergio, their Geography teacher  from Madrid to Athens. 

In Athens they will take another flight to Heraklion, Crete. 

There, a great experience is waiting for them...

In Heraklion, introductions, kisses and  three hours by bus, with the rest of the participants, to arrive to Sitia.

Tuesday morning, after a good rest in Sitia Beach Hotel, Emmanouil picked us up to Palekastro Primary School.

There, with the expectation of all of us, the activities presentations began...

Polish students talking about the work done in their school for this meeting.

Italian students presented two interesting activities.

Greek students during their morning break at school.

Nice classroom in Palekastro Primary School.

Verginia designed very interesting activities involving all participants.

Greek presentation.

We had lunch in a nice restaurant in Palekastro, with typical food.

After lunch, we visited the Folklore Museum of Palekastro, where we were offered coffee an local sweets.

After that, we visited the Vay Palm Beach, and went for a walk around the area.

Wednesday morning, Emmanouil came to the Hotel and picked us up to the Information Center of Sitia Natural Park.

Evangelos showed us a beautiful video about the Park.

Then, he accompained us trough the Dead's Canyon of Zakros.

Carnivore plants.

At the end of the Canyon we found the Arqueological Site of Zakros.

Of course, we visited it.

Our walk ended in Zakros beach.

Then we went to Zakros village and had lunch in a nice restaurant with typical and really rich greek food

After lunch, we visited the Cavo Sidero Cape in Zakros.

And the Monastery of Toplou.

We returned to Sitia very tired but happy of having seen such a lot of nice places.

Thursday morning we took the bus for going to Heraklion. 

First, we visited the Cretan Aquarium.

And the Museum of Natural History.

In the earthquake simulator!!

We had lunch in a restaurant in Heraklion, and after that went to the hotel.

We had free time in Heraklion till next day.

And, finally, and sadly, the departure day arrived...

We were all very happy and with our hearts full of beautiful experiences...

See you in Bulgaria, my friends!!

HAPPY BABA MARTA DAY!

One of the most heart touching traditions is Baba Marta Day celebrated in Bulgaria as the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Every year Bulgarians exchange martenitsi (red-and-white adornments) on the first of March and celebrate each other with the words: Chestita Baba Marta (Happy Baba Marta)!

First of March is also Imen den (Day of name) of all who are named Martha, Martin, Martina and Eudokia. Imen Den celebration is rooted in the Christian traditions, as a joyful and friends-connecting feast as the Birthday.

About Baba Marta etymology: Bulgarians name the old women “babi”. Grandmother is also in Bulgarian “baba”. Marta is rooted in the month of March. Baba Marta is imagined as a moody old woman. The sun shines when she is happy, and her anger brings cold storms. She is a human picture of unpredictable March weather. March storms are sometimes described as Baba Marta’s spring cleaning, and the last snowfall comes from falling feathers when she shakes out her mattresses.

The legend

Legends have grown around the holiday tradition. Perhaps the oldest describes the origin of the custom found in a kindness by Khan Asparuh, the founder of the first Bulgarian state, who is said to have sent his wife a white cord as a sign of having survived in battle.

Another tale describes how Baba Marta, angry at an old woman taking her goats into the mountains a few days early, brought on a fierce storm that raged for days. Later, when the townsfolk went out in search of the old woman, they found her turned into stone, with a freshwater spring running out from under her feet.

Baba Marta today

Today the holiday has become an opportunity to share good wishes of health and happiness with friends, family and colleagues. Children often compete to see who can collect the most martenitsi.