October 2019: Meeting in Milazzo, Italy
The students of the 3rd Lyceum of Galatsi: Boulaxi Eleni, Biniou Andriana, Tzanis Iasonas, Polychroniou Antonios, Tsitsanos Charalampos & Pyllias Dimitrios and their teachers Siemos Konstantinos & Korre Chrysanthi report their impressions.
Monday 14 October 2019
It was a marvellous “summer trip” in Autumn. The Italian team welcomed us in their “warm” school “ITET Leonardo Da Vinci” with bright smiles and a generous mood, the kind that only the “amici del Cuore” have. They introduced us to the school and the activities which would follow in the next days. They offered us local appetizers, and we walked through the new town to the old town and the castle of Milazzo. It was the 14th of October 2019 afternoon. Very tired but full of satisfaction, we arranged two appointments: one for a night walk and one for the following day. Our meeting point would be the port.
Tuesday 15 October 2019
The Aeolian Islands filled our second day with beauty and relaxation. We felt at home as these small islands and rocky islets in the Tyrrhenian Sea included the residence of god Aeolus, according to Homer’s epics. Lipari, Salina, Vulcano, Stromboli: very nice though a result of volcanic activity, with similar names to Greek, hosted us in their special atmosphere and landscapes. After the return to Milazzo, a delicious cappuccino was waiting for us, and new appointments were arranged: For a night walk and enjoying Italian cuisine and for a morning departure for Oliveri, Marinello, Tindari and Parco Jalari.
Wednesday 16 October 2019
Oliveri is a lovely resort area at the east of Palermo and west of Messina. Marinello is a village located below the promontory of Tindari, an ancient Greek-Roman town on the Tyrrhenian coast of Sicily with a Greek name as its origin is the name of Tyndareo, who was Beautiful Helen’s father. Parco Jalari’s extraordinary sculpture, aromatic herbs and its wide range of animal species in a protected environment teach everyone the respect for the times, balance of nature, sustainability, architecture, tradition, history, and social values. It was an unforgettable experience. We went back to Milazzo right after in order to try the local dishes. Soon we were convinced that Sicily has the most delicious plates and appetizers.
Thursday 17 October 2019
The river “ Gole Del Alcandara” was waiting for us that morning. 52 kilometres long, with Its name of Arabic origin, its source at the 1250 meters on the south side of Monti Nebrodi and its mouth in the Ionian Sea. Thucydides mentions the river in his history. Alcantara river park is there to protect the river and relax the tourists. The sight was stunning… Our next destination was Taormina, the Greek “Tauromenion” on the east coast of Sicily, an important municipality and a commercial hub. Its theatre, also called the “Greek” Theater, is the second-largest theatre after Syracuse. It is frequently used for operatic and theatrical performances and concerts.
Friday 18 October 2019
The last morning appointment was at Molo Marullo, and our departure was for Capo Milazzo. Our experience at the Gigliopoli Foundation was exceptional. The foundation has been carrying out for many years with its own financial means of socio-welfare and educational-didactic-recreational-environmental activities in favour of minors of economic and social hardship and the disabled. In its incredible landscape, someone can live through play, social life and contact with nature. It was a unique experience for us.
After all this magic, back at school, a feedback discussion was intended to make us rethink all those beautiful sights, flavours, and smells of an entire week in Sicily, before the farewell. In this sunny place with bright people, wonderful friends and a piece of common history, we made beautiful memories which will always hold a special place in our hearts. Our memories are as sweet as the unforgettable “cannoli” we tasted in the beautiful and hospitable Milazzo.
