Foreign mirrors Poland

wtorek, 24 czerwca 2014

On Monday after the breakfast we were picked by the students and their teachers from Spain. Together we visited Sagrada Familia where our guide introduced us with the history of the cathedral and we walked around the breathtaking building. It was an amazing experience. Then we went to the museum situated in the basement of the cathedral in order to learn something about Antonio Gaudi who was the main designer of the building. We were surprised by the genius ideas of how to design such sophisticated monuments and all the towers of the cathedral. Between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. we had some free time for lunch and shopping. After the break we went to visit the place which Catalonia is really proud of: FC Barcelona. Being there we had the opportunity to see the places which normally are forbidden to enter for the common fan of the football game, such as commentators lodge, changing room or the corridor which is the entrance to the pitch for the footballers. Although Camp Nou is not the newest one among the European Stadia, it impressed us especially after we had visited the Museum of Camp Nou with a great number of the historic elements such as cups, T-shirts and old photos. It was an amazing presentation of the club since its beginning. The moment we could stand on the fragment of the pitch was unforgettable. During the walk around the stadium we visited the shop with the souvenirs for the fans of FC Barcelona team. It was an unforgettable lesson which will stay in our memories for ages. Late afternoon we went on our journey to Lleida. When we got there we were welcomed friendly by the host families.

On Tuesday after the breakfast we started our Comenius activities and together with the students we went to school. We took part in English and History lessons about de la Seu Vella Cathedral. Then we met together with the school authorities, students and parents. After the meeting we went on a school playground where all the students were waiting for us with big flags of each Comenius country in their hands. It was a really emotive moment, we were almost crying. A moment later we tried a traditional cake with chocolate which is a typical Spanish school lunch. Then together with the Comenius friends we started visiting the school building and certain classes. Each class had some presentations for us: dances, poems or some gifts and all the students were curious about the details of our countries and schools. Around 2 p.m. we ate lunch prepared specially for us in the school canteen. After the lunch we watched the presentation about the school and Catalonia. Afterwards we went home with students. Around 8 p.m. we met again on the school playground where some of the students were doing gymnastics. They showed some figures and pyramids which were really impressive and we could taste some of the traditional Spanish snacks such as bread with tomatoes and their typical ham and cheese. Finally we watched some of the Catalan dances and we as students had the opportunity to show dances which are characteristic for our countries. We got back to our homes around 10.30 p.m.

On Wednesday after the breakfast we participated in the English lesson and after that together with the teachers we walked towards the hill where de la Seu Vella Cathedral is situated. Spanish teachers Eva and Carlotta told us about the history of the cathedral and some interesting information about the architecture of the building. De la Seu Vella is the biggest cathedral in Europe with the windows without glass. After that we went by bus to Raimat winery. The guide told us about the process of production and fermentation and about the cultivation of grapes. We got a gift from our guide: a chalice in which we drank water and all the adult could taste Raimat wine. At 2 p.m. we got back to school to eat lunch. After that we walked towards Lleida stadium where the guide told us about the renewable energy and the photovoltaic screens installed on the roof of the stadium. From there we walked to meet the local authorities and the mayor of Lleida where we listened about the history of Lleida. At the end of the meeting we got some presents in order to keep Leida in our memories for ages. Around 6.30 p.m. we had some free time. Then we went to watch a football match where one of the Comenius friends was playing. The emotions were unforgettable and Lleida team with the help of football fans won the match. In order to celebrate the victory we went together to eat the supper and then we came back home.

On Thursday early morning we gathered together around the school and went by bus to the Pyrenees. During the journey we were taking photos of the beautiful valleys, rivers, lakes and mountains. We were sightseeing the national park of Aiguestortes and de Saint Maurici National Park which were full of the unique plants and animals typical for the high mountains territory. After the journey we were picked up by jeeps to the restaurant where we ate lunch. Satisfied with the delicious Catalan food we were ready to visit the 12th churches: Sant Climent, Santa Maria in Tahull and Sant Joan in Boi which are on the list of the UNESCO World Heritage. The most interesting part of the day was the multimedia presentation of the altar of Sant Climent church which was prepared with the use of high technology. Late afternoon we started our journey back to Lleida. We ate supper at homes with our host families and our teachers went to the restaurant where they had the chance to taste snails. After the supper we went with our friend to play bowling.

Friday was the last day we spent with our Comenius family. We got back very early as well as during the whole week in Lleida. Teachers went to school and during the meeting discussed all the issues connected with the Comenius Project. At the same time we again took part in some of the lessons at school. Around 11 a.m. together with all the students we went to the gym to take part in the Golden Mirror Awards gala. The festival started with the presentation of the school music band. All the Comenius partners got prizes for the journals, scale models and short films. Our Polish team also got some gifts. In the afternoon we left school and went to see the traditional towers of people. It was a great demonstration of power and strength which together with the typical Catalan music was an amazing experience. In the evening we went to see the breathtaking fireworks which started the annual festival of Lleida and at thesame time were the element which ended our visit. After that we went to the park were we spent our free time enjoying ourselves in the amusement park. Although we spent there happy moments we were sad because of the end of our visit.

poniedziałek, 28 kwietnia 2014

niedziela, 27 kwietnia 2014

On Monday, after the breakfast in the hotel we went by bus for a meeting with the local mayor of Galatsi – district of Athens where the school is situated. During the meeting we were welcomed ceremonially by the authorities. We explored the building carefully, especially the first floor which is made of the ancient stone, remains of the old buildings which were found while digging the foundations. We also took some photos together with the local authorities. Then, we went to school – our Comenius partner, where we were welcomed again very kindly by the teachers and students with the beautiful dances and some national songs. In the background we could watch the multimedia presentation of monuments in Athens and around it. After the performance, we had some free time for coffee and other little pleasures. After that, all the teachers met together to work out some Comenius tasks. Meanwhile students spent pleasurable time playing on the school playground and integrating with other students. Around 1 p.m. we ate a traditional Greek dinner, prepared by students’ parents. After the dinner we went to one of the Greek wineries and had a chance to see all the tools which are used during the wine production, not only at present but also in the past. We saw the whole process of the wine production and some elements the taste and colour of wine depend on. After that we visited the Marathon Museum where we were presented with the history of marathon running and we learnt a lot about the Battle of Marathon. In the museum we saw some marble statues, pictures, medal copies and many other reminders of the first modern marathon running winners. We were walking around the Marathon lands, taking some pictures of the sport stadium. In the evening we ate supper in the tavern and we had a chance to see again beautiful Greek dances. Around midnight we came back to the hotel.

1^st April 2014

On Tuesday, after the breakfast, around 8.30 we set off for a walk to Acropolis which is situated on a hill in the centre of Athens. We learnt there about the history of the place and some events that had happened there in the past. Furthermore, we saw beautiful remains of the Temple of Poseidon, Athena and Caryatids which have survived for almost 2500 years. When we reached the hilltop we were surprised by all the breathtaking views and the panorama of Athens. We could also see the Theatre of Dionysus located on the south slope of the Acropolis.

After that we went to see the ancient market – Agora, where the socio-political life of ancient Greeks took place. Next, we followed the tracks of the ancient market, just like Aristotle and Plato had travelled in the past. We had a possibility to discover the cultural centre of the ancient times – the protection from the sun and heat, the shopping centre and the place for leading philosophical disputes.

After such a pleasurable time full of interesting places and stories we came back to our hotel and ate the dinner. Around 2.30 p.m. we continued sightseeing and went to the Acropolis Museum where we admired sculptures, amphoras and other objects which had been found during excavations of Acropolis. We also saw Caryatids and the remains of the outside ancient walls.

After that, we walked around Plaka - the old historical neighbourhood of Athens. It is built on the top of the residential areas, around the slopes of Acropolis. In this place tourists usually rest and relax in the numerous restaurants or cafes and do shopping in souvenir shops. In the evening we admired a port of Pireus. In one of the taverns we spent pleasurable time eating supper and looking at Mediterranean.

2^nd April 2014

On Wednesday, after the breakfast we started a long journey to Delphi, both an archaeological site and a modern town, to look through the history of the Oracle of Delphi – Pythia. The oracle sometimes gave ambiguous prophecies, which were very often incomprehensible because of the literal and figurative meaning. Climbing the hill we could see how the ancient people were trying to get prophecies from the oracle. We also saw the ancient market situated beyond the town, which was a good strategic point, the remains of the Temple of Athena and the ancient theatres – stadiums.

Soon after, we visited the Museum in Delphi with a lot of interesting archaeological objects and ancient relics. Around 4 p.m. we ate dinner and went to see a little village of Arachova and then we saw a monument in Distomo where in the past Germans killed many Greek people. The way back was very long, most of us were so tired that we slept in the bus. However, we were very happy and full of positive emotions after the journey to Delphi.

3^rd April 2014

On Thursday morning we went by bus to the nearby Museum of Archaeology which has gathered archaeological relicts from Greece since the prehistoric times to the late antique. Apart from some monuments and sculptures of gods we could see also objects of everyday use, coins, amphoras and the prototype of the first watch. On the way to the Museum we visited the Parliament and we saw people taking part in the national strike against some changes in regulations. Then we had a short walk along the commercial street and we saw the whole commercial area. Meanwhile we had two hours for some shopping and for sightseeing. At 3.30 p.m. we ate a traditional Greek dinner in the local restaurants.

Around 7 p.m. we went towards Sunio Cap where we saw the Temple of Poseidon and we admired the beautiful sunset of Aegean Sea. At the end of the day, after seeing such beautiful, breathtaking places and views, we were incredibly tired. We came back to the hotel at 10 p.m.

4^th April 2014

Since Friday early morning we have been very excited because of the one day cruise. After the breakfast, around 8 a.m. we arrived at the Port of Piraeus.

The first point of our cruise was Hydra - a very beautiful island, full of interesting places. What surprised us mostly was the fact that there were no cars on the island. People usually use donkeys when they want to Ravel. The next point of the journey was Poros, quite a big island where we spent almost two hour. We visited the Temple of Poseidon and saw beautiful buildings, not only old but also the modern ones. Then we came back on our ship to eat dinner and taste some delicious traditional Greek food again. The last part of the journey was the departure for another island – Aegina. We saw the Orthodox Church and the amazing Temple of Aphaia. We discovered that Aegina is famous from pistachios. During the way back to the hotel we sailed in a very pleasant atmosphere with traditional Greek music and dances. We arrived at the hotel at 8.30 p.m. and were very sad to say goodbye to our Comenius friends and very sorry to leave Greece. However, the memories will stay in our hearths for a long time.