The end

Going back home

Unfortunately, my last week in Greece has come... I feel heavy-hearted about leaving the project, my new friends and the people in the camp. The work is not finished, I wonder if it ever will...

On Monday I did little school again with some other volunteers. We changed the theme this week into all things about a house. We had songs about the house, coloring pictures about the house, books and we even made a playhouse out of a carton. This playhouse fitted at least 4 kids and all the kids painted the outside, they were very happy. The kids don't have a lot of toys so we have to be creative with the things we have. But seeing them so happy is what it is all about!

Tuesday I was invited to dinner with friends in the camp. It was very traditional, we sat on the ground, had naan (which is a kind of bread but round and flat) and had eggs with tomato and tuna. At first, I thought, eggs with tuna?? I never heard about that combination, but I can assure you it was really delicious. I will definitely make that recipe at home as well. I also ended up buying a cooking book in the camp from Project Elea. Last year they made a book with a lot of volunteers where they cooked recipes from their home country, a piece of culture. Cause when you have to fly your country because of threats, or war, you have to leave everything behind, but you can bring your knowledge and culture with you. And showing that in those recipes with their story is an amazing thing. You can also order this book on Amazon!

Wednesday was my last day in the camp, I felt really sad. I made so many new friends, not just with the volunteers in Project Elea, but also with the residents in the camp as well. I'm very bad at saying goodbye so this day was very hard for me. But all good things come to an end, I know its not a final goodbye. I will definitely go back! I said goodbye to a lot of people in the camp, children, and parents. In the evening all the volunteers and some residents met at the rooftop bar in Monastiraki, where we had a few drinks and enjoyed the night. But eventually, it was time to say goodbye. 

On Thursday I packed my suitcase and because my flight was in the evening, we still had a last drink in the sun in the afternoon. It was really warm so a jacket was not necessary. That was very different after I got out of the airplane in Amsterdam. It was very cold. This is still something I have to get used to. Same for the people, the Greek has a very different mentality than the Dutch. Time is money! I'm still in a kind of relaxing mood. 

It kind of feels good to be home again, seeing my friends and being surrounded by my own stuff again. But I also already miss Greece, I felt very at home there as well, I got to meet all these amazing people who had the same mindset as me, so talking to them was very easy and they made me feel so accepted, loved and respected. I learned a lot about myself as well, who I am as a person and also about how I want to fill in my future. 

Greece was special, amazing, and I will never forget this experience!