13th March Friday (day1)
At the end of period 3, we were off to the airport. We went through security and all that. After we dropped off our bags we got some food from Burger King and went into duty free where I got some perfume. Then we set off about 4pm English time then landed in Greece at 9pm Greek time. The flight was fun because Izzy has never flown before and she was freaking out. The flight went smoothly but very long and tiring. We got booked in the hotel in Thessaloniki which was about 20 minutes away from the airport and right on the coast line. The hotel itself was beautiful. We got unpacked then went down stairs to the restaurant. There was live Greek music and also people smoking inside which was unusual because in the UK, it’s illegal to do that. I had some Greek pasta which was really nice. Also me and Izzy shared a chocolate tart and ice cream which was to die for. It was so delicious. For drink we have a very strong but very yummy homemade lemonade which tasted very different to the lemonade over in the UK.
When we were finished it was about 11pm. We all had a shower, got ready for bed and then me and Emily faced timed our parents whilst Izzy face timed hers. They were worried but also very pleased and proud of us. After that we all went to bed and were looking forward for the week ahead of us.
14th March Saturday (day2)
We woke up, got dressed and when down stairs to meet Mr Boyle and Mrs Clifford. We all had breakfast which was different to English breakfast as it was so much healthier. After that, we met up with Aliki. We all went out on the beach pier and walked from the top all the way to the bottom and back. It must have been about 2 miles. When we got to the bottom we went into a coffee shop and we had a very chocolatey hot chocolate.
Then we walked about up to the hotel, re-packed our things and got into a taxi to take up the bus station. When we got there, we waited about 30 minutes until we got on the bus to go to Xanthi. It was a very long bus ride. It must have been about 4 hours, so I was glad I had my iPod with me so I could listen to my music. I fell asleep for most of it but when I was awake I saw snow around me which was very very confusing because I was in Greece.
When we were in Xanthi, we met up with Vaggelis and his mum. They dropped us off to go to the hotel. They were so nice to us. When we got to the hotel. We chilled. Then met up with Mr Boyle and Mrs Clifford.
I walked around to look for a restaurant. When we found one, it was old but posh at the same time. I had a pork steak and fries which was amazing.
At 9pm, Eva, Vaggelis and Ilias look us to their first birthday meet-up. It was a bit awkward at first because they were all speaking Greek and he had no idea what they were saying but then everyone started to talk to us. All their friends were nice and polite. A lot friendlier than people over in the UK.
We got back really late. We got ready for bed, face-time our parents again then went to bed.
15th March Sunday (day3)
Well, were to start. We woke up, got everything ready, got our breakfast then our Greek families came to pick us up. I went to Vaggelis’ house where I met his two brothers. Chris and his younger brother which I can’t spell.
We went on a boat trip which I didn’t really like because I really don’t like the sea. Then went to the cow boy themed café which then I got really emotional because it was Mother’s day and I wanted to go see my mum. So I phone her. Vaggelis’ mum was very supportive of me which was nice. She is a very nice lady.
We got back to the house and we decided to break the ice between us all. So we played few board games. After that, we went to the school and saw all the people from different countries.
We went back home and at this point I was so scared to sleep but I finally drifted off.
16th March Monday (day4)
I woke up fine after having a good night sleep. I got dressed, had breakfast then their mum dropped us all off at school.
The school was massive, about 5x bigger than Copley and more students that go there as well. It was also less strict than Copley. We attended Maths and English Lit which was very confusing and hard because we didn’t understand a word which was very awkward. I was sat which Izzy in all the lessons so it wasn’t that bad.
Then the school did an assembly for all the different countries which was very nice because they made a song for us. We went back home and had dinner.
Vaggelis went to his after school classes with Ilias so Izzy came to the house where I was. We played board games. I was paired with Chris and Izzy was paired with the younger brother.
After they came home, we all went bowling. I came 4th out of 6 which was really bad. We got food after that and it was so good but really greasy which I didn’t really like.
Then it was about 10pm, we went back home, got a shower and then went to bed.
17th March Tuesday (day5)
I woke up, got dressed and had breakfast. Then we met up with the rest of the Comenius project.
We went to the beach, museum and a cliff side which you saw nothing but beautiful snow covered mountains, the sea and a forest which was really weird to see all at one place.
After that me, Izzy, Eva and Emily went out shopping. I got a top, jeans and a pair of amazing black heel boots.
We then had some ice cream. I had Snickers one.
Then we went to a concert with everyone. After the main song was on, Greek music came on and everyone started to dance so we all joined in.
Then after that we went home and went to bed.
18th March Wednesday (day6)
Today, we went to the school and attended two more classes. Maths again and this time Philosophy.
After that we walked down to an old dance studio and did some traditional Greek dancing. That was really fun but the dance teacher was really scary.
We went back home and ate some dinner. It was a burger, chips and rice with vegetables. That was very amazing. His mum made such good food.
Vaggelis went to his classes again so I stayed at home, so I helped Chris with his English homework then me and his younger brother played more games.
After that, when it was getting darker, we all went star gazing which was amazing. I loved it.
After that, the 6 of us and one of their friends who was so nice to us, went back to the house and we had like a cinnamon pasty dessert which was so good.
Then everyone went home and we all went to bed.
19th March Thursday (day7)
Well this was the last full day in Greece until home. I was really upset to leave. We got spilt up into 4 groups, I was on my own and Emily and Izzy was in another group. When I found out who was in my group, I found out I didn’t know anyone but then I soon made friends which was good.
We had cake at the school which had all the flags from different countries on.
We all went back home to get ready for the big meals that all the project goes to.
We all eat and had loads of fun. We had our pictures done and we danced which everyone. I was so tired when it came to the end of the day.
We all said our good byes because that was going to be the last time we ever saw them.
Then we went to bed.
20th March Friday (day 8)
We woke up and got ready. All my stuff is packed and now it was time to say good bye and say thank you to the Vaggelis family for letting me stay there. We got the bus, I hugged everyone then got on bus that was talking us back to the airport in Thessaloniki. Then we got on the plane back to the UK ended the trip to Greece.
Write up 2 (What I learned)
There are so many things that I have learned. I first joined this project to get more confident and social people and that’s what I have to do. I am so happy that I did do the project, I have so many new friends and also my confident has boosted up so much.
Also in Greece they do so many more things that the UK doesn’t. For example:
At the end of period 3, we were off to the airport. We went through security and all that. After we dropped off our bags we got some food from Burger King and went into duty free where I got some perfume. Then we set off about 4pm English time then landed in Greece at 9pm Greek time. The flight was fun because Izzy has never flown before and she was freaking out. The flight went smoothly but very long and tiring. We got booked in the hotel in Thessaloniki which was about 20 minutes away from the airport and right on the coast line. The hotel itself was beautiful. We got unpacked then went down stairs to the restaurant. There was live Greek music and also people smoking inside which was unusual because in the UK, it’s illegal to do that. I had some Greek pasta which was really nice. Also me and Izzy shared a chocolate tart and ice cream which was to die for. It was so delicious. For drink we have a very strong but very yummy homemade lemonade which tasted very different to the lemonade over in the UK.
When we were finished it was about 11pm. We all had a shower, got ready for bed and then me and Emily faced timed our parents whilst Izzy face timed hers. They were worried but also very pleased and proud of us. After that we all went to bed and were looking forward for the week ahead of us.
14th March Saturday (day2)
We woke up, got dressed and when down stairs to meet Mr Boyle and Mrs Clifford. We all had breakfast which was different to English breakfast as it was so much healthier. After that, we met up with Aliki. We all went out on the beach pier and walked from the top all the way to the bottom and back. It must have been about 2 miles. When we got to the bottom we went into a coffee shop and we had a very chocolatey hot chocolate.
Then we walked about up to the hotel, re-packed our things and got into a taxi to take up the bus station. When we got there, we waited about 30 minutes until we got on the bus to go to Xanthi. It was a very long bus ride. It must have been about 4 hours, so I was glad I had my iPod with me so I could listen to my music. I fell asleep for most of it but when I was awake I saw snow around me which was very very confusing because I was in Greece.
When we were in Xanthi, we met up with Vaggelis and his mum. They dropped us off to go to the hotel. They were so nice to us. When we got to the hotel. We chilled. Then met up with Mr Boyle and Mrs Clifford.
I walked around to look for a restaurant. When we found one, it was old but posh at the same time. I had a pork steak and fries which was amazing.
At 9pm, Eva, Vaggelis and Ilias look us to their first birthday meet-up. It was a bit awkward at first because they were all speaking Greek and he had no idea what they were saying but then everyone started to talk to us. All their friends were nice and polite. A lot friendlier than people over in the UK.
We got back really late. We got ready for bed, face-time our parents again then went to bed.
15th March Sunday (day3)
Well, were to start. We woke up, got everything ready, got our breakfast then our Greek families came to pick us up. I went to Vaggelis’ house where I met his two brothers. Chris and his younger brother which I can’t spell.
We went on a boat trip which I didn’t really like because I really don’t like the sea. Then went to the cow boy themed café which then I got really emotional because it was Mother’s day and I wanted to go see my mum. So I phone her. Vaggelis’ mum was very supportive of me which was nice. She is a very nice lady.
We got back to the house and we decided to break the ice between us all. So we played few board games. After that, we went to the school and saw all the people from different countries.
We went back home and at this point I was so scared to sleep but I finally drifted off.
16th March Monday (day4)
I woke up fine after having a good night sleep. I got dressed, had breakfast then their mum dropped us all off at school.
The school was massive, about 5x bigger than Copley and more students that go there as well. It was also less strict than Copley. We attended Maths and English Lit which was very confusing and hard because we didn’t understand a word which was very awkward. I was sat which Izzy in all the lessons so it wasn’t that bad.
Then the school did an assembly for all the different countries which was very nice because they made a song for us. We went back home and had dinner.
Vaggelis went to his after school classes with Ilias so Izzy came to the house where I was. We played board games. I was paired with Chris and Izzy was paired with the younger brother.
After they came home, we all went bowling. I came 4th out of 6 which was really bad. We got food after that and it was so good but really greasy which I didn’t really like.
Then it was about 10pm, we went back home, got a shower and then went to bed.
17th March Tuesday (day5)
I woke up, got dressed and had breakfast. Then we met up with the rest of the Comenius project.
We went to the beach, museum and a cliff side which you saw nothing but beautiful snow covered mountains, the sea and a forest which was really weird to see all at one place.
After that me, Izzy, Eva and Emily went out shopping. I got a top, jeans and a pair of amazing black heel boots.
We then had some ice cream. I had Snickers one.
Then we went to a concert with everyone. After the main song was on, Greek music came on and everyone started to dance so we all joined in.
Then after that we went home and went to bed.
18th March Wednesday (day6)
Today, we went to the school and attended two more classes. Maths again and this time Philosophy.
After that we walked down to an old dance studio and did some traditional Greek dancing. That was really fun but the dance teacher was really scary.
We went back home and ate some dinner. It was a burger, chips and rice with vegetables. That was very amazing. His mum made such good food.
Vaggelis went to his classes again so I stayed at home, so I helped Chris with his English homework then me and his younger brother played more games.
After that, when it was getting darker, we all went star gazing which was amazing. I loved it.
After that, the 6 of us and one of their friends who was so nice to us, went back to the house and we had like a cinnamon pasty dessert which was so good.
Then everyone went home and we all went to bed.
19th March Thursday (day7)
Well this was the last full day in Greece until home. I was really upset to leave. We got spilt up into 4 groups, I was on my own and Emily and Izzy was in another group. When I found out who was in my group, I found out I didn’t know anyone but then I soon made friends which was good.
We had cake at the school which had all the flags from different countries on.
We all went back home to get ready for the big meals that all the project goes to.
We all eat and had loads of fun. We had our pictures done and we danced which everyone. I was so tired when it came to the end of the day.
We all said our good byes because that was going to be the last time we ever saw them.
Then we went to bed.
20th March Friday (day 8)
We woke up and got ready. All my stuff is packed and now it was time to say good bye and say thank you to the Vaggelis family for letting me stay there. We got the bus, I hugged everyone then got on bus that was talking us back to the airport in Thessaloniki. Then we got on the plane back to the UK ended the trip to Greece.
Write up 2 (What I learned)
There are so many things that I have learned. I first joined this project to get more confident and social people and that’s what I have to do. I am so happy that I did do the project, I have so many new friends and also my confident has boosted up so much.
Also in Greece they do so many more things that the UK doesn’t. For example:
- They can smoke inside
- Stray dogs and cats are everywhere
- They drive crazy and fact about 80 – 90 mph on
50 mph roads which scared me
- They talk very loud and very fast
- Everyone is very nice and sweet, unlike English
people