OUR TRIP TO ROMANIA (07.05.2014-12.05.2014) We are Andrew, Afroditi, Akrivi and Dionisis and we are happy to present you our Comenius trip to Romania as representatives of Greece. We were accompanied by our teachers Maria Birba, Magda Argyropoulou,Sofia Malesi, Aimilia Nikolakopoulou and Betty Prentza and it was a wonderful experience for all of us. Wednesday 07.05.2014 Our trip began at 11.00 am from Pyrgos to “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport in Athens. From there we departed to our first destination, Bucharest. After a short time we flew to Iasi where we arrived at 11 o’ clock at night. At the airport we met the Romanian host families who drove us to their homes. Our teachers also went to relax at their hotel. After a delicious dinner at homes we exchanged presents and we were happy to meet such wonderful and good-natured people. Thursday 08.05.2014 Our first visit to the Romanian partner school was about to take place. At 8.30 we reached Colegiul National “GARABET IBRAILEANU”. After a really warm welcome we were shown around the school, a spacious two-floor building with long corridors, teachers’ offices, labs, a well-cared library and a quite large courtyard. Then we attended lessons and we were impressed by the attention and the interest of the students throughout the lesson. After that, guest and host students discussed the project in order to work out an online newspaper using articles we had already written and brought with us. To be honest, no one felt like working a lot so we gave up quite early! At about 2 o’ clock we were offered a variety of dishes and desserts as well as soft drinks. They were delicious. In the afternoon we attended a very amusing performance by the host students. They sang and danced for us and we were told that most of the performing students had won awards in competitions. After an exciting day our night was free so we had the opportunity to get a glimpse of the nightlife in Iasi, accompanied by our new friends from Romania. We had a unique time with them and all these memories will definitely remain with us. Friday 09.05.2014 When we arrived at school we saw all the students in the courtyard holding and waving yellow and blue balloons because as we were told they were celebrating Europe Day. After that we headed for Copou Park, where Eminescu, the most famous Romanian poet used to sit under a lime tree and get inspired. There, at Eminescu’s statue next to the tree we were told one of his famous poems. Our next stop was at the Museum of “Alexandru Ioan Cuza “University which has two sections. One of them contains exhibits from the Neolithic culture of Cucuteni which flourished from 4500- 3000 B.C. We saw beautiful painted pottery, tools, weapons, ornaments and a reconstruction of a typical Cucuteni dwelling. The other section presents science books, laboratory instruments, photos (professors and students) and documents concerning the development of the university. e Very close to the museum is the university, the oldest higher education institution in Romania. It is a landmark of the city with 15 faculties and more than 25, 000 students. On the ground floor we were amazed to see the famous Hall of the Lost Footsteps, a long corridor with arcades and marvelous frescoes. After a small coffee break we continued our stroll. We saw the exterior of two holy places and listened to their legends: the first was the Church of Saint Paraskeva, the Patron Saint of Moldavia and the second one was the Three Hierarchs’ Church. It would be very interesting to see the holy relics of Saint Parascheva inside the church but it was not open. After that we headed towards the Palace of Culture, the symbol of Iasi city but unfortunately the restoration works inside it did not allow us to see its interior. A lunch break at the Food Court in the shopping centre of Pallas Mall was necessary. Our next stop was at Golia Monastery from the top of which we had the chance to see the whole city. Our evening was free and it was time we got some rest. Another exciting day was over. Saturday 10.05.2014 Our fourth day began with our departure from Iasi to Pascani,Targul Neamt,Durau, Varta Dornei. Actually we were heading for Eastern Carpathian Mountains. First we visited Neamt Citadel where we were told a legend concerning Stephen the Great and how his Mother’s encouragement and perseverance led him and his army to a great victory. After a break we visited Neamt Monastery and the Lake mountain Spring. After a hearty lunch we went along Bistrita Valley. The green landscape was superb and it was getting even better despite the rain which started at some time. Lush vegetation, fir trees and the awesome mountains composed an eye-pleasing sight difficult to forget. What is also worth mentioning is that a lot of legends are associated with the areas we were passing by so throughout the journey we had the chance to listen to them by the Romanian students. Then we stopped at Zugreni cottage for a coffee break. At about seven o’ clock we arrived at Vatra Dornei resort for accommodation A special dinner followed and some of us stayed up with teachers and we had a lot of fun. Sunday 11.05.2014 In the morning we set off to visit a hotel named Dracula’s Castle. There in full darkness we went down some steps into a very narrow room with a coffin and frightening pictures on the walls. A lady holding a candle narrated the legend of Dracula. Suddenly there was no light and the coffin opened. We all screamed but then we laughed at the trick. But this was not over. While leaving the basement we felt hands touching us and that was another trick to scare us. Our Romanian friends achieved their aim to surprise us in such a way but it was so funny after all! We had some free time so we went to a nearby open-air market where most of us bought what else? Dracula souvenirs! Then while we were travelling along the Moldova River, we were told the legend of Dragos Voda, the first ruler of Moldavia. Our next visit was to the Voronet Monastery, the symbol of Bucovina. It is one of the most famous painted monasteries in Moldavia. The extraordinary frescoes of bright colours against a blue background (the renowned Voronet blue) on its exterior walls depict religious figures such as saints, martyrs and hermits as well as scenes from their lives and from the Bible such as the Last Judgment. Then we arrived at Draguseni Inn for a coffee break. There we said goodbye to our Norwegian friends. Late in the afternoon we arrived at Iasi. It was an eventful weekend full of beautiful images from our journey and the sights we visited but it was time to rest for the next day, our departure day. Monday 12.05.2014 Farewell moments are sad and moving but the time to say goodbye had come. Early in the morning the host families drove us to the hotel where our teachers were staying. Our flight to Bucharest was at noon but there was an hour’s delay and we almost missed our flight to Athens. What a rush! Anyway, nothing could spoil that unforgettable trip. Thank you Romania!