On-Arrival Training on 23-27 May 2012

A very good example of informal learning and of sharing of ones experiences, the training in my opinion was a complete success. It gave an opportunity to meet new people that benefit from the same EVS program and to learn about their projects, organizations and daily life.

The activities were quite diverse but mainly centered on our projects, our hosting organizations, out general experiences here in Turkey and about the sharing of experiences and ideas so that we could make our experience here better.

All the volunteers got a chance to present their projects and their organizations as well as other practical information; about their mentor, their accommodation, the money they receive, the activities in which they participate. 

We also benefited from a short language course consisting mainly in learning new, useful words and the way we should use them in daily life.

Because we were almost 40 participants and at least 10 countries, we also got a chance to make a short presentation about our own countries and their cultures, as well as practical information, such as the level of English spoken in that particular country or the attitude towards foreigners.

We also had a quiz about Turkey’s culture, history and language , which my team won, of course. And a course on conflict management and how to solve problems that might arise in our daily life and in our projects. As most volunteers were living 2 or 3 in the same room, or 8-10 in the same apartment, everyday conflicts were sure to arise. So we talked about our experiences in this regard and on our ideas about solving any issue that might come up.

We also enjoyed a trip to Antalya and its amazing waterfalls, bazaar and center; especially the view with the mountains that seemed to rise from the sea, was quite amazing.

Ibrahim Demirel represent the Turkish National Agency and he told us more information about the next training as well as offering practical information on our stay here and offering to try to solve any problems that we might have with our respective projects.

The last day was occupied by a description of the youthpass, a final evaluation as well as reading letters written by volunteers that participated in a EVS program before us and gave their opinions, experiences and advices to us

So, overall a super experience and now, with the help of Facebook, we created a group so we can stay in touch and visit each other and our cities and organizations.

So, a fun filled activity but also a lot of things to learn

Take care / Have fun 

Dan

It's truly good to have a group of people who like to go places together...
places like Rumkale.
Rumkale (Roman Castle) is a fortress, but it's under restoration right now so we couldn't visit the interiors. Happily however, it's situated on a peninsula created by the Birecik Dam reservoir, so the surroundings are impressive.
On the other hand, Birecik Dam makes trouble for a small town called Old Halfieti which is ocassionally submerged under the rising waters of Birecik Dam.
Here are a few pictures from there:

And some more, this time from a bike trip to a place located 12 km from Gaziantep.
Burç Höleti is a pond where you can go fishing or have a picnic.

 You can also try to be a pirate there.

Or find your own small island to have a picnic.

Greetings,
Monika

Day by day, we're getting better at Turkish traditions, dances, a little better at the language. We also have time to get to know the social life here: drinking Turkish coffee and playing tavla (backgammon) together, visiting hammam (Turkish baths) and spending free days in the fresh air.
Our drawing teacher sometimes chooses impressive vases as objects to learn how to draw. Still life subjects give the opportunity to develop technique and to see progress.
The vases are mostly handmade, decorated by repoussé and chasing (a metalworking technique). This time we also had a traditional object: nargile- a water pipe or 'hookah'. I'm non-smoker but after this class I know all the details about it. I haven't finish yet, but I'm going to.


What's the perfect energizer? Dance.
Happily, the friends around us like to dance a lot:

Today we participated in a youth information meeting. In my opinion it's very much-needed, helpful and enjoyable :)
This time, young people gained practical information about volunteering (EVS) and Eurodesk possibilities. They asked us important questions about our experiences.
Now, I feel "the power of informing" even more.

Sending greetings from hot Gaziantep,
Monika

Trip to Şanlıurfa.

Keeping up with our project's goals of discovering Turkish traditions and culture we went quite spontaneous to a city located 140 Km away from Gaziantep, in the Eastern direction. 

Modern Şanlıurfa presents stark contrasts between its old and new quarters. The old town is one of the most evocative and romantic in Turkey, with an ancient bazaar still visited by local people to buy fruit and vegetables, where traditionally dressed and scarfed Arab and Turkish villagers arrive in the early morning to sell their produce. Much of the old town consists of traditional Middle Eastern houses built around courtyards, invisible from the dusty streets, many of which are impassable to motor vehicles. In the narrow streets of the bazaar people scurry to and from carrying trays of food, which is eaten on newspapers spread on low tables in a corner of the little shops, many people drinking water from the same cup. This very oriental atmosphere is bewitching but below the surface parts of the old city are very poor indeed, with people still living in cave houses (built into the side of the rock).




Şanlıurfa's newer districts are a sprawl of modern concrete apartment blocks, with many surprisingly tidy leafy avenues, containing modern restaurants, sports facilities and other amenities with air-conditioning.
Wikipedia description.

I quite liked the city and the stories associated with it, and just by chance we were in the city when theis soccer team won a place in the first Turkish league, so every one was celebrating :)

Mosque of Halil-ur-Rahman 

An awesome place 

The legendary Pool of Sacred Fish (Balıklıgöl) where Abraham was thrown into the fire by Nimrod. The pool is in the courtyard of the mosque of Halil-ur-Rahman, built by the Ayyubids in 1211 and now surrounded by attractive gardens designed by architect Merih Karaaslan. The courtyard is where the fishes thrive. A local legend says seeing a white fish will open the door to the heavens.

And some more images from the city :

Hope you get a chance to visit it !

Take care, Dan !

A trip at the Gaziantep Zoo 

The Zoo in Gaziantep is one of the largest Zoo's in Turkey, it has a wide variety of animals, reptiles and fish. The entrance fee is about 1.5 (for students) and 3 Turkish Liras for non-students, so a little more than 1 euro. İt is a great experience and there are a lot of things to see ... İ think you need at least 3 hours to quickly see everything. And now here come some pictures :

The aquarium 

The have the only elephant born with a in vitro procedure in the world

Me looking at the map to figure out where to go next

Group picture :)

So hope you like our little trip and that you had a great week!

See you guys , take care \ have fun !

Dan